Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team - Daily Local Update - April 13, 2020

Douglas Co. Government

(Douglas County, Ore.)  There is a lot of buzz in the air these days about a slow down across the Country of COVID-19 reported cases.  While you may see lulls or declines in case reporting in the daily reports, the virus is not slowing down. The fact that we had 5 new cases reported in the last 24 hours, coupled with the fact that the United States just surpassed the 1.9 million case mark, should make it clear, we are not ready for residents to go back to “business as usual.”  The Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team, under the direction of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, continue to encourage you to stay the course and follow the “Stay Home, Save Lives” orders set forth by the state. We will continue to recommend that you stay home, especially if you are sick, keep your 6-foot people distance when you have to interact with other people outside of the people that you are living with, wash your hands, cover your cough and stay healthy.  Remember, we are all in this together, and we all need to work together to get through this crisis.

Local COVID-19 Test Results

As of 12:00 PM, April 13, 2020, there are three new cases of COVID-19 in Douglas County. The number of positive cases is now at seventeen total in the county.  Of the seventeen, four have recovered.  There have been zero deaths and 507 negative tests for COVID-19 in the county.

Douglas Public Health Network continues their epidemiologic investigations, identifying individuals who may have had close contact with individuals that have tested positive for COVID-19 and advising quarantine. Four of the individuals who tested positive earlier have now recovered. DPHN defines recovery as an end to all symptoms after a positive test for COVID-19.

Another drive through COVID-19 clinic, led by DPHN I scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, April 14, in Roseburg.  At this time, you can only get a COVID-19 test through your healthcare provider.

Residents must be identified by their health care provider.  Information has been given to providers and clinics about how to get their patients signed up for the drive-through testing clinics.  If you want to be tested, you must talk to your health care provider.  Tests are currently being processed at the Oregon State Public Health Lab, and a growing number of commercial labs, like Quest and LabCorp. There are a few outpatient clinics in Douglas County offering testing at this time.

Community health partners are working very hard to make testing available to a wider number of people. The first drive thru testing site was piloted in the county on March 17, 2020, there have been 276 people tested so far in the drive through clinics. The drive through clinics are led by DPHN, in conjunction with partner agencies including; Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team, Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Public Works, local volunteers and local health professionals.

Oregon COVID-19 Case Update

Oregon Health Authority reports new cases once a day on its website at www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus.  The Oregon Health Authority is also releasing the daily situation status report, which is produced jointly with Oregon Office of Emergency Management. It details the overall picture of the COVID-19 outbreak within the state and the response across government agencies. Read more here about the daily situation status report.

Facebook Live with Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer

Join Douglas Public Health Network for another virtual town hall Q&A with Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer tonight, Monday, April 13 at 6:00 pm, on the DPHN Facebook page.

Free Online Seminar for Local Business Owners Starts Tonight

Umpqua Community College’s Small Business Development Center is offering a free online seminar for local businesses starting tonight at 6 p.m.  The seminar, titled “Surviving & Thriving: Disaster Response Workshops for Small Business,” is a four-part series, with additional classes every night this week through Thursday. The following topics will be covered:
  • Monday – Loans, Grants & Financial Resources with Sam Gross
  • Tuesday – Online Visibility & Engagement with Aaron Larsen
  • Wednesday – E-Commerce & Online Sales with Justin Deedon
  • Thursday – Staying Productive and Communicative While Working Remotely with Lisa Woods (SBDC Dir.)
Each session will be 45 minutes long, with 15 minutes for questions and answers. There is no cost to participate. Sign up by visiting the registration page.  Monday night’s session will include information on the CARES Act, including low-interest disaster loan assistance, the Paycheck Protection Program, and more.

‘Distance Learning for All’ Deadline is Today

Today is the deadline for schools across Oregon to implement “Distance Learning for All,” a plan to ensure that schools can provide remote learning opportunities for all students, including those who may lack resources.

Douglas Education Service District Superintendent Michael Lasher said local educators had begun taking action even before the state’s distance-learning guidelines were issued.

“Districts and their schools had already been reaching out to their students with supplemental materials and food service, so they are easily making the switch,”
 Lasher said. “Distance education doesn’t mean using technology in every case. There are many families that don’t have Internet access or computers, so for those students, paper packets of classwork and materials are delivered to them.”

Teachers in the Roseburg Public Schools District spent last week connecting with students and families, and are launching Distance Learning this week. “Teachers will connect with students and provide activities through digital platforms and phone calls,” the district said on its website. “Learning will be a combination of online learning and activities that do not require technology, and will also be based on students’ ability to access technology.”

The district noted on its Facebook page that efforts were underway to distribute Chromebooks and set up WiFi hotspots for children without Internet access. Supplemental activities will vary by grade level but could include activities such as independent reading, creative writing, visual art and cooking.

The state’s “Distance Learning for All” guidelines emphasize the importance of care and connection, and recognize that students need food, clothing and a safe place to learn.  “In spite of the ‘Stay at Home, Save Lives’ order, all school personnel are finding creative ways to provide education, services and support to students in their care,” ESD Superintendent Lasher said.

Reminder: Federal, State Tax Deadlines Extended

Wednesday is April 15, which is traditionally Tax Day – but this year, state and federal tax deadlines have both been extended by three months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The extensions, announced last month, give taxpayers until July 15 to file their taxes. Those who choose to take advantage of the extra time will not face any penalties or incur any interest. Taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms to qualify for these automatic deadline extensions. The IRS is urging taxpayers who are getting refunds to file as soon as possible. Most tax refunds are being issued within 21 days, the agency said. Any additional tax updates will be posted to the IRS’s COVID-19 page

Daily Tips: Monday’s Self Care – Kids at Home

We realize that parents with kids at home may have a harder time carving out quiet time for themselves. Younger children’s nap times might be a good opportunity to do this. Make a list for yourself of things that make you feel calm and happy; when your children are asleep, this list can serve as a reference for you. This article has some additional tips for parents.  Parents, make sure to schedule some relaxation time for you, too.

Update from: Legal Aid Services of Oregon – Douglas County Office

We wanted to let you know that legal aid is open, working, and has significantly expanded both hours and services during these uncertain times. Legal aid is maintaining up to date information about COVID-19 related legal changes. The best way to get this information is to check out our website and Facebook pages, both of which are being updated regularly.  Most of the materials are in both English and Spanish, if someone needs legal advice, information, is unable to access materials, has questions, or is having difficulties they should call the Legal Aid Office at (541) 673-1181 or (541) 673-1182. Or log onto their website or Facebook pages.  

Two of the most important issues for low income Oregonians, or those who have recently lost a job, are going to be connecting with public benefits and actually getting their stimulus checks.  Many public benefit programs have been significantly expanded, and we can help if people are being denied, cut, or have issues accessing the applications. With respect to the economic impact payments, the IRS has set up a page to update addresses/bank accounts; supply the required forms for people on VA/SSI, let them know the number of children in a home; and otherwise make sure people get their money sooner rather than later.   If someone currently has SSI or VA benefits, they must fill out a form to get their money. Beware, there are lots of scams that say they can get money faster. That is not true.  Here is the website: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments

Yes, these are uncertain times, but leaving home to donate blood is considered a lifesaving and essential need
. Those who are healthy, feeling well and eligible to give blood or platelets, are urged to make an appointment to donate as soon as possible by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting www.RedCrossBlood.org or calling (800) 733-2767.? Donate your blood and save a life.

Upcoming Local Red Cross Blood Drives include:

Monday, April 13        1:00 pm – 6:30 pm       RC Blood Donation Ctr., 1176 NW Garden Valley Blvd., Roseburg
Thursday, April 16      1:00 pm – 6:00 pm       Elks Lodge #1943, 106 S Main Street, Myrtle Creek
Monday, April 20        1:00 pm – 6:00 pm       Redeemers Fellowship, 3031 West Harvard Avenue, in Roseburg
Monday, April 20        1:00 pm – 6:30 pm       RC Blood Donation Ctr, 1176 NW Garden Valley Blvd., Roseburg Tuesday, April 21        9:00 am – 2:00 pm       YMCA of Douglas County, 1151 NW Stewart Parkway, in Roseburg
Wednesday, April 22   9:00 am – 2:00 pm       Holiday Inn Express, 375 West Harvard Avenue, in Roseburg Tuesday, April 28        10:00 am – 3:30 pm     YMCA of Douglas County, 1151 NW Stewart Parkway, in Roseburg

Appointments are now required, in light of social-distancing guidelines. To make an appointment, visit www.redcrossblood.org. To save time during your donation, please complete your health history questions prior to the drive by visiting www.redcrossblood.org/rapidpass

Stay Informed with the Accurate Information

Your Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Douglas County Public Health Officer, Dr. Robert Dannenhoffer and the Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team have been working hard to cooperatively provide accurate and timely information and a response to Douglas County residents. If you have questions about resources available, call the COVID-19 hotline, staffed by local volunteers at (541) 464-6550. 

Stay up to date on COVID-19 in Douglas County on the DPHN website at www.douglaspublichealthnetwork.org.  Find additional information on state, federal and international COVID-19 response from the following websites: Oregon Health AuthorityCenters for Disease Control, World Health Organization and by calling or logging onto 211Info.

Local case data includes all tests done in the county, and are not exclusive to DPHN testing. Further, reporting numbers are accurate as of time listed on this release.  These numbers may not match other organizations, who report at different times of the day.

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