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Oregon reports 24 new COVID-19 cases; announces funding for Local Public Health and Tribes

News Release
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Oregon reports 24 new COVID-19 cases; announces funding for Local Public Health and Tribes

COVID-19

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) announced COVID-19 has claimed another life in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll from four to five. OHA reported 24 new cases Sunday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 161.

The COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Benton (2), Clackamas (1), Deschutes (1), Lane (1), Marion (3), Multnomah (1), Washington (13) and Yamhill (2). Oregon Health Authority reports new cases once a day on its website: www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus.

Oregon’s one COVID-19 death in Linn County is a veteran in his 90’s, who tested positive on March 11, and died this morning at the Oregon Veterans Home. He had underlying medical conditions.

“Our hearts are heavy,” said ODVA Director Kelly Fitzpatrick. “This resident was a veteran who served our nation with honor and dignity in its hour of need. He was also a beloved member of our Lebanon community, and he will be deeply and truly missed. On behalf of everyone at the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Oregon Veterans’ Home, we offer our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. We grieve with them.”

OHA Announces Local Public Health and Tribal Funding for COVID-19 Response

OHA and other officials also announced details about $4 million in state funding that is going out to Local Public Health Authorities (LPHA), Tribes and Native American Rehabilitation Association (NARA – the Urban Indian Health Program in Oregon) to support their COVID-19 response. See this table for the allocation amounts per LPHA, Tribe and NARA, which combined total $4 million.

Basic facts about the funding:

  • All LPHAs, the nine-federally recognized Tribes in Oregon, and NARA receiving the funds.
  • Total amount to these recipients is $4 million, representing a substantial portion of the funds approved by the Oregon Legislature’s Emergency Board on March 9.
  • Funding amounts are based on a funding formula as well as COVID-19 cases and investigative work as of March 10, 2020.
  • Funds can be used to support local and tribal COVID-19 response, including:
    • Reporting, monitoring and controlling of COVID-19 in communities
    • Identification and screening of contacts of COVID-19 positive individuals
    • Education, prevention and related communications activities to share information with the public and community partners

“We believe that those funds will have a significant positive impact on our state’s capacity to perform COVID-19 response functions at the local level,” OHA Director Patrick Allen said. “Their staff are truly on the front lines of the essential epidemiological work that can help slow the spread of COVID-19 and other communicable diseases in communities. But we know that more resources will be needed across all aspects of the response.”

“Honoring our government to government relationship is important in our coordinated response to COVID-19,” said Julie Johnson, OHA Director of Tribal Affairs. “We are appreciative of this funding to provide support at the local level. We know everyone is working extremely hard to protect all of our communities across the state.”

“Local health authorities are on the frontlines of this epidemic and leading the response,” said Jocelyn Warren, PhD, MPH, Public Health Division Manager Lane County and current Conference of Local Health Officials chair. This vitally important funding will ensure that their ability to respond increases in line with the severity of the crisis.”

Stay informed about COVID-19:

Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Office of Emergency Management lead the state response.

United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.

Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.

Rep. Gomberg responds to questions concerning hospitality industry

Justin Werner
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Rep. Gomberg responds to questions concerning hospitality industry

Publisher’s note: Due to a high-volume of emails received, multiple stories and investigations underway and minimal staff, we missed this email from a member of the Oregon House of Representatives. Sorry about that David Gomberg.

Lincoln City Homepage sent an email to Oregon Rep. David Gomberg Friday asking what could be done about hotels and vacation rentals remaining open in Lincoln City.

The email was sent Friday at 6:13 p.m.

David,
I have received so many emails concerning Lincoln City’s hotels and VRDs remaining open in contradiction to social distancing.

Where do you stand on this issue? Can you do anything about it?

Lincoln City hospitality industry remains open amid wave of closures

Gomberg responded an hour later with the following:

Thanks for your note, Justin. 

We are facing a serious situation and the state is taking serious steps to address it. Closing schools, closing restaurants and bars, prohibiting gatherings over 25 people are all measures that will affect our local economy and the people who live and work here. We have gone from zero to 20% unemployment overnight.

Fortunately, we have no confirmed positive cases here in Lincoln County. Yet. I believe we will. And when we do, our medical facilities and staff will be sorely strained.

There is no vaccination and no cure. We can only try to manage the problem and help people with the most serious infections if we slow the spread of this virus. That’s why “social distancing”, hand washing, and other precautions are so important.

I know businesses are hurting. I know people are hurting and worried about paying bills. But having more people here only increases the potential for even more harm very soon. I just don’t understand during this evolving crisis, why anyone would encourage and advertise for more visitors.

I am grateful to those who are taking constructive steps to protect their families, neighbors, or employers at significant personal cost. I will do all I can to help them recover through policies and payments. We will get through this. But we do so by helping each other.

Phone your neighbors who may need help getting groceries. Give blood. Buy a gift card to celebrate with later. Purchase only what you need. Because the next person in line needs toilet paper too!

I’ve spoken with the Governor’s office. All coastal representatives have. I believe that if people do not behave responsibly, that the State may be forced to take broad action. That could be worse for us here at the Coast.

Tom McCall once famously said, “Please visit Oregon but for heaven’s sake please don’t move here”. I’m saying, please visit Oregon but for heaven’s sake not right now. Stay home. Stay safe. Come and see us when this is over and we can celebrate together!

Park and slide

Ross Smith II
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Park and slide

Oregon State Police patrol carTrue Stories of the Oregon State Police!

On March 21 at approximately 9:37 a.m., the Oregon State Police received a report of a white Jeep partially submerged in the Siletz River near milepost 6 on SR 229. The vehicle was reported by passersby and it was unknown if the vehicle was occupied. OSP responded along with North Lincoln Fire and Rescue’s water rescue team. The vehicle was resting on its driver side along the eastern riverbank and initial searches appeared that the vehicle was unoccupied. Tracks at the scene indicated at least one person had climbed up the riverbank near the vehicle. Members of North Lincoln Fire and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Marine Deputies assisted with a search of the river but no one was found. The vehicle was towed from the river by Car Care Tow Pro of Lincoln City and was confirmed to be unoccupied. The two occupants of the vehicle were later located and were safe. Investigation showed that the vehicle had parked along the western shoulder of SR229 around 11 p.m. on March 20. The operator parked on the earthen shoulder too close to the edge of the embankment. The front passenger side tire area began to give way a short time after parking and when the operator attempted to pull out, the passenger side of the vehicle slid down the embankment and the vehicle rolled approximately 60 feet down the embankment into the water.

City Hall, parks and open spaces closing to the public Monday

Justin Werner
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City Hall, parks and open spaces closing to the public Monday

Lincoln City City Hall Shut Down

Lincoln City City Hall will not be open to the public Monday, March 23 and neither will city parks, open spaces or bathrooms.

In a news release issued Saturday:

“The City of Lincoln City is taking steps in its continuing effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to provide relief to individuals and families affected by the closures of businesses.”

Driftwood Public Library and the Lincoln City Community Center were closed last week and will remain closed. The City will be open for business remotely, where employees will answer phones and email.

All city parks and open spaces, including bathrooms, will be closed to the public starting Monday. According to a city councilor, open spaces are parks and trails, not playgrounds or other amenities.

Utility bills can be paid online but the City has suspended billing shut-offs until further notice. This includes bills in arrears and no late fees will be charged.

The glass float Finders Keepers program is suspended until further notice.

The City urges households and businesses to follow good hygiene practices, social distancing and other directives issued by the State of Oregon and medical professionals.

Gov. Brown orders Oregonians to ‘stay home, stay healthy’

Justin Werner
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Gov. Brown orders Oregonians to ‘stay home, stay healthy’

Oregon stay home

In a live stream video Friday night, Governor Kate Brown ordered all Oregonians to remain at home with a new slogan: “stay home, stay healthy.”

“I am directing Oregonians tonight to stay home to stay healthy,” Brown said. “Social distancing, done well, and done early can save lives.”

Calling the move an “order” and a “public-awareness campaign,” Brown said she knew it was hard for people to abide by recent government orders such as the ban on gatherings of 25 people or more, the closing of schools and closures of restaurants and bars.

Brown said social distancing was the most effective way to flatten the curve and slow the spread of the virus. She also said the measures would not work unless all Oregonians followed them every single day.

“We are truly all in this together,” she said. “Your actions right now mean the difference between life and death for yourself and others.”

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said Oregon’s grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations and other “essential” businesses would remain open. Oregonians will be free to walk their dogs, take care of an aging parent or take a hike, he said.

“This is not a lockdown,” Wheeler said. “This will be a stay at home unless it’s absolutely necessary order.”

Wheeler said there would be “much more to share on Monday,” and said he and the Governor would be working on the specific details over the weekend.

“The sooner we act and the more aggressively we act, the sooner we will be on the road to recovery,” he said.

 

Lincoln City urges citizens to flush toilet paper only

Justin Werner
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Lincoln City urges citizens to flush toilet paper only
Toilet Paper Lincoln City
Don’t use paper towels, even if you cut them down to smaller size

The City of Lincoln City has issued guidance for those sheltering in place due to coronavirus concerns: “Do not flush anything but toilet paper down your toilet.”

In a news release issued Friday, the City said workers are seeing large amounts of “non-toilet paper products” and it’s causing problems.

This situation is not unique to Lincoln City as many cities across the United States are also warning their populations of the dangers of using alternatives to toilet paper.

Plumbers we spoke with said paper towels are not a safe option as they are not meant to be flushed and do not break down the same way toilet paper does.

“In city sewer lines paper towels get caught up on imperfections in the piping — and the wipes are the worst — they should not be flushed at all because the system can’t handle it,” George Morlan Plumbing’s Jared McDougal said. “Also, with all the low-flow toilets in town there’s not enough water to move things along. With standard toilet paper there’s no issue, but when you start throwing paper towels and wipes into the mix you start getting problems.”

Membrane air rack at Lincoln City’s main treatment tank. It delivers oxygen into the tank. Pictured is the air rack covered with wipes hindering it from functioning properly

The City said sewer systems are not designed to accept wipes, paper towels or other substitutes as they are not biodegradable and can clog pipes.

From the City of Lincoln City release:

We ask you to only flush toilet paper and if you must use something besides toilet paper, dispose of it in the trash. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we all work through this together.

From the quarterly newsletter sent out by the City:

These wipes; baby wipes, disinfectant wipes, makeup wipes, mop refills and many more clog the pipes that extend between your home and the sewer in the street, which can lead to expensive homeowner repairs.

Some Lincoln City residents have resorted to using paper towels and insist that cutting them into thirds is a viable option. This advice seems contradictory to what the City and plumbing professionals are saying.

A bit of good news, the City of Lincoln City says there have been no service disruptions due to the flushing of improper items since the coronavirus containment effort began.

If you find yourself in a toilet-paperless-emergency you could try this method of cleaning up after number two:

 

Oregon reports 26 new COVID-19 cases

News Release
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Oregon reports 26 new COVID-19 cases

COVID-19

Oregon Health Authority reported 26 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the state total to 114, as of 8:30 a.m. March 20.

COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Clackamas (4), Deschutes (2), Grant (1), Linn (1), Marion (4), Multnomah (5), Union (1), Washington (6) and Yamhill (2).

Oregon Health Authority reports new cases once a day on its website: www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus.

Publisher’s note: Lincoln County still has no confirmed cases of Covid-19 but people who are sick are being tested for the disease. 

Stay informed about COVID-19:

Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Office of Emergency Management lead the state response.

United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.

Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.

Lincoln City hospitality industry remains open amid wave of closures

Justin Werner
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Lincoln City hospitality industry remains open amid wave of closures
Hospitality
The Coho Oceanfront Lodge in Lincoln City

Lincoln City citizens have isolated themselves at home, schools are closed and local restaurants have closed or converted operations to comply with government orders designed to slow the spread of COVID-19, yet the hospitality industry remains open for business.

Hotels, motels and vacation rentals are in full operation and visitors are free to book a room or rent a house and travel to Lincoln City. Housekeepers and staff are still doing their jobs attending to out-of-town guests.

Captain Cook Inn

According to some hotels, cancellations have been pouring in and refunds are being issued. Some non-refundable bookings made on deal sites like Booking.com are being moved to later dates in an effort to bridge the gap and satisfy the customer.

In a letter sent to Homepage, a concerned housekeeper had this to say:

“We are putting our lives at risk because the hospitality industry is still open. I have kids home from school and a husband that is home from work and yet I am required to go to work and clean after people who would rather travel instead of staying home. I feel the only way to insure the virus does not keep traveling is to also close down the hospitality industry.”

The housekeeper said she was contacting state representatives in the hopes Governor Kate Brown will notice and “shut it all down.”

Lincoln City City Manager Ron Chandler had a response:

“The Governor issued new directives further limiting gatherings. Specifically, all gatherings of 25 or more are prohibited, all restaurants will be closed and restricted to serving take out and urged Oregonians to avoid gatherings of 10 or more. Many business are closing or reducing their hours. When making travel plans, please review the directives and information given by the Governor, the Oregon Health Authority, Lincoln County Health & Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control. In addition, please consider the businesses that have closed when making travel plans.”

As a tourist town, Lincoln City relies heavily on revenue from the transient room tax generated from hotels, motels and vacation rentals. Lincoln City has a large amount of lodging compared to other coastal towns making it the major industry for the city. A shut down of the hospitality industry could severely impact Lincoln City’s economy.

Chinook Winds Casino, one of the biggest resort hotels in Lincoln City, closed down its resort and casino operations March 17 as a result of COVID-19.

Hotel managers say they are taking extra precautions, such as wiping down counters and doorknobs and maintaining social distancing during check-in and check-out. They said housekeepers have been directed to wear gloves and use bleach solution everywhere possible.

Oregon Health & Sciences University leaders have asked the public to avoid spring break travel in Oregon and beyond. 

Time will tell whether or not government steps in and forces the hospitality industry to close and local government is likely to follow direction from the state and federal level.

Social distancing: What it is and what it means to you

Justin Werner
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Social distancing: What it is and what it means to you

Social Distance

What exactly is social distancing and how can you use it to protect your family from the novel coronavirus COVID-19?

Social distancing is not shaking hands, avoiding crowds, standing at least six feet from other people and, most importantly, staying home if you feel sick. It can be hard to master but adhering to social distancing can mean the difference between catching a virus and spreading it to others.

The wave of cancellations and closures are designed to slow or stop the spread of the disease and to give our healthcare system a chance to care for patients over time. Canceling events that draw large crowds and shutting down bars, restaurants and schools is social distancing.

The White House has issued guidelines for all Americans to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The guidelines say to avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people. Also noted is to use drive-thru, pickup or delivery options for food. Avoiding discretionary travel is also listed, including shopping trips and social visits.

Samaritan hospitals have put visitor restrictions in place until further notice to protect patients and reduce exposure to COVID-19. Each patient is allowed two visitors per hospital stay and no children under 12-years-old are allowed. The hospitals say that if you are sick you should stay at home.

Now that the government and local hospitals have stepped in and showed you some examples of social distancing, how can you practice it?

Are you or your family touching railings unnecessarily?

Are you staying at least six-feet away from others?

Have you been using FaceTime or Skype to communicate with loved ones?

Ask yourself, “How can I limit interactions?” Nobody can isolate entirely but making good decisions about what you do in public can help. Limiting movement in the community is especially important for those who are sick and showing symptoms.

Social distancing essentially means limiting contact with people as much as possible.

Testing has been severely limited in Lincoln County due to shortages of tests and without knowing who is infected with this novel virus, collective action could be the only way to slow it down.

Does social distancing work?

There are historical cases of social distancing and other measures working, and the Spanish Flu of 1918 is a good example.

According to the National Institutes of Health, a rapid response was crucial in containing the 1918 flu pandemic:

Cities where public health officials imposed multiple social containment measures within a few days after the first local cases were recorded cut peak weekly death rates by up to half compared with cities that waited just a few weeks to respond. Overall mortality was also lower in cities that implemented early interventions, but the effect was smaller. These conclusions — the results of systematic analyses of historical data to determine the effectiveness of public health measures in 1918 — are described in two articles published online this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

“These important papers suggest that a primary lesson of the 1918 influenza pandemic is that it is critical to intervene early,” says Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., director of NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which funded one of the studies. “While researchers are working very hard to develop pandemic influenza vaccines and increase the speed with which they can be made, nonpharmaceutical interventions may buy valuable time at the beginning of a pandemic while a targeted vaccine is being produced.”

Social distancing can only take us so far and needs to be used in conjunction with proper hand washing technique or using a hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Stay informed from official sources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization. Don’t believe rumors, such as the Covid-19 virus can’t live in hot climates. According to the WHO, COVID-19 can live in all areas according to evidence so far, including hot, humid environments.

CDC

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

Samaritan Early Learning Center to remain open

Mary Jo Kerlin
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Samaritan Early Learning Center to remain open

Because childcare services are a critical support to working families – including those in the medical and emergency services sector – Samaritan Early Learning Center (SELC) will continue to remain open.

Last week, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced a statewide closure of public schools from March 16 to 31, in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Currently, the Oregon Early Learning Division is not requiring childcare facilities to close.

As always, cleaning and disinfecting will remain a priority. Family members who are picking up or dropping off their children will be asked to wash their hands before entering the classrooms.

“Providing quality childcare is always important but even more so now,” said SELC Director Barbara Dougherty. “Samaritan Health Services understands the importance to support childcare needs for our most vulnerable families, as well as the families of health care professionals and first responders.”

Some families may choose to self-isolate and not send their enrolled children to the Early Learning Center. For these families, there will be no charge if they remove their child temporarily from care. Dougherty said that slots that are vacated may be reallocated for possible childcare needs for first responders, law enforcement, hospital and clinic employees, or others who must remain working.

Families with questions may contact Dougherty at [email protected].

Meanwhile, here are ways families and others can help stay healthy:

  • Stay home when sick, and stay away from work, school and errands. This will help prevent others from catching your illness.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. All SELC children, teachers and staff who are ill must stay home until their fever and symptoms are gone for at least 24 hours.
  • At gatherings, keep six feet between yourself and other people.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then dispose of the tissue. When a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your elbow.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces or objects. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill.
  • Wash hands for 20 seconds under running water to help prevent the spread of germs.
  • If you cannot wash your hands, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% to 95% alcohol.
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