Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team - Daily Local Update - May 5, 2020
Douglas Co. Government
(Douglas County, Ore.) The good news today is in the numbers. Douglas County continues to see a flattening of the curve for positive COVID-19 cases. There has only been one positive case reported in the last 15 days, and that case was reported as recovered before their test results were returned. And as you will see below, of the 24 cases reported since March 8, 2020, only 3 cases remain on the active list. Douglas County has been proactive in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic from the start, and is considered a leader in the State for our response efforts. The cooperative efforts of the entire Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team working in conjunction with our Douglas County Commissioners, our Douglas County Public Health Officer, Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer, and Douglas Public Health Network have been extraordinary in bringing these numbers to fruition. Let’s keep the curve flat!
As of 12:00 pm, May 5, 2020, there are no new cases of COVID-19 in Douglas County. The total number of Douglas County residents who have tested positive is twenty-four. Of the twenty-four cases, twenty-one have recovered. One of the individuals that tested positive remains hospitalized. There have been zero deaths and 1212 negative tests for COVID-19 in the county. There are zero presumptive cases of COVID-19 in the county.
The next drive through clinic in Roseburg will be today, Tuesday, May 5, 2020. If you are having symptoms of COVID-19 including cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches and pains, diarrhea, sore throat or decreased sense of smell and taste, talk to your health care provider about being tested for COVID-19.
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.
Farms and other agricultural businesses are now eligible to apply for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance programs. The EIDL portal reopened Monday after legislation signed by President Trump last week authorized additional funding for farmers, ranchers and certain other agricultural businesses.
The SBA is accepting new EIDL applications on a limited basis. The low-interest, long-term loans are meant to assist agribusinesses while stabilizing the nation’s food supply chains. Loans of up to $2 million are available. Agricultural businesses were initially excluded from applying for the disaster loans. If an agricultural business previously applied anyway through the EIDL portal, the original application will be processed now and the applicant will not have to reapply, according to the SBA. All other applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
The state announced today that a small number of parks will now be open for limited access starting Wednesday, May 6, 2020. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) released a list of the locations that will be reopened for limited day use. The closest location to Douglas County is the Joseph Stewart Boat Ramp on Lost Creek Lake near Shady Cove. Here is the rest of the list:
The Oregon Law Center and Legal Aid Services of Oregon have created a video to help tenants understand their rights under temporary state rules meant to protect them from eviction. Through June 30, it is illegal for a landlord to evict tenants for nonpayment of rent, fees or utilities. Landlords also cannot impose late fees or seek no-cause terminations during that time. Tenants who are temporarily unable to pay rent due to COVID-19 are advised to inform their landlords in writing of their inability to pay. While the new state rules give tenants more time to pay the rent they owe, it is important to note that the rent is still due eventually. Tenants who can pay partial rent are advised to do so, since they will have to pay it later anyway. For those who live in subsidized housing, evictions for nonpayment are barred until at least July 30. Legal Aid Services of Oregon’s Douglas County Office is not taking walk-ins but is offering services by phone. For intakes, to make an appointment with a lawyer, or for general information, call (541) 673-1182. LAS Douglas County is also on Facebook. The statewide Legal Aid website has additional resources. A great guide to tenants’ rights in Oregon can also be found online here.
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 in March 8, 2020. 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 or federal COVID-19 response from the following websites: Oregon Health Authority, Centers for Disease Control, and by calling or logging onto 211Info.
(Douglas County, Ore.) The good news today is in the numbers. Douglas County continues to see a flattening of the curve for positive COVID-19 cases. There has only been one positive case reported in the last 15 days, and that case was reported as recovered before their test results were returned. And as you will see below, of the 24 cases reported since March 8, 2020, only 3 cases remain on the active list. Douglas County has been proactive in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic from the start, and is considered a leader in the State for our response efforts. The cooperative efforts of the entire Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team working in conjunction with our Douglas County Commissioners, our Douglas County Public Health Officer, Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer, and Douglas Public Health Network have been extraordinary in bringing these numbers to fruition. Let’s keep the curve flat!
Local COVID-19 Test Results
As of 12:00 pm, May 5, 2020, there are no new cases of COVID-19 in Douglas County. The total number of Douglas County residents who have tested positive is twenty-four. Of the twenty-four cases, twenty-one have recovered. One of the individuals that tested positive remains hospitalized. There have been zero deaths and 1212 negative tests for COVID-19 in the county. There are zero presumptive cases of COVID-19 in the county.
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) announced recently that they are expanded their reporting for COVID-19 case management. They are now citing presumptive COVID-19 cases, as well as the zip codes of residents where positive cases have been confirmed. DPHN will also begin reporting presumptive cases, and will use the OHA’s definition of presumptive as having had close contact with a known, confirmed COVID-19 case, showing symptoms and not yet having a positive nasal swab/PCR test for COVID-19. Additionally, DPHN will also add zip code reporting for positive cases that is in line with OHA’s recommendation. Douglas County has confirmed positive cases for residents for the following zip codes: 97417, 97462, 97467, 97469, 97470, 97471, 97479, 97457.
DPHN continues their epidemiologic investigations, identifying individuals who may have had close contact with individuals that have tested positive for COVID-19 and advising quarantine. The majority of the individuals who have tested positive earlier have now recovered. DPHN defines recovery as an end to all symptoms after a positive test for COVID-19.
Get Tested & Testing
The next drive through clinic in Roseburg will be today, Tuesday, May 5, 2020. If you are having symptoms of COVID-19 including cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches and pains, diarrhea, sore throat or decreased sense of smell and taste, talk to your health care provider about being tested for COVID-19.
The first drive thru testing site was piloted in the county on March 17, 2020, there have been 421 people tested in the drive through clinics alone, additional testing continues in hospitals, urgent cares and clinics simultaneously. 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.
Disaster Loans Now Available to Agricultural Businesses Affected by COVID-19
Farms and other agricultural businesses are now eligible to apply for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance programs. The EIDL portal reopened Monday after legislation signed by President Trump last week authorized additional funding for farmers, ranchers and certain other agricultural businesses.
The SBA is accepting new EIDL applications on a limited basis. The low-interest, long-term loans are meant to assist agribusinesses while stabilizing the nation’s food supply chains. Loans of up to $2 million are available. Agricultural businesses were initially excluded from applying for the disaster loans. If an agricultural business previously applied anyway through the EIDL portal, the original application will be processed now and the applicant will not have to reapply, according to the SBA. All other applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Limited Access Now Allowed at a Few State Parks and Boat Ramps
The state announced today that a small number of parks will now be open for limited access starting Wednesday, May 6, 2020. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) released a list of the locations that will be reopened for limited day use. The closest location to Douglas County is the Joseph Stewart Boat Ramp on Lost Creek Lake near Shady Cove. Here is the rest of the list:
- Tyron Creek in Portland
- Willamette Mission North of Keizer
- Mongold Boat Ramp at Detroit Lake
- State Capitol State Park in Salem
- The Cove Palisades Boat Ramp at Lake Billy Chinook near Culver
- Prineville Reservoir Boat Ramp near Prineville
- Pilot Butte in Bend will be open to pedestrians only
OPRD noted that, not all restrooms will be open and parking will be limited. No opening date has been set for campgrounds or camping. Some extra safety measures may be in place at parks, and visitors are encouraged to take the following precautions:
- Stay at home if you are sick
- Check to confirm what is open before leaving home
- Only visit parks with members of your household
- Bring all supplies with you: food, water, soap, towels, sanitizer and toilet paper
- Wear a face covering
- Stay at least six feet away from people who aren’t in your household, including parking spaces.
- Keep your visit short and visit during off-peak hours
- Stick to low-risk activities while visiting parks
- Leave no trace: Pack out everything you brought with you
Additional parks will be reopened for limited use starting next week. Locations are selected for reopening “based on the readiness of the community around the park to welcome visitors, and how prepared the park is will staff, supplies and equipment.” State parks officials warned that parks will open and close with little advance notice, but that updates will be posted on the State Parks website. Visitors can also check park status by calling (800) 551-6949 during normal business hours.
“We know these last six weeks have seemed longer, but your health is important to us” ORPD Director Lisa Sumpton said. “It is true that outdoor recreation boosts our mental and physical health, but parks concentrate people in a community, and we have to do this carefully if it’s going to work. We need your cooperation to keep the parks open.”
Tenant Protections and Rental Assistance During COVID-19
The Oregon Law Center and Legal Aid Services of Oregon have created a video to help tenants understand their rights under temporary state rules meant to protect them from eviction. Through June 30, it is illegal for a landlord to evict tenants for nonpayment of rent, fees or utilities. Landlords also cannot impose late fees or seek no-cause terminations during that time. Tenants who are temporarily unable to pay rent due to COVID-19 are advised to inform their landlords in writing of their inability to pay. While the new state rules give tenants more time to pay the rent they owe, it is important to note that the rent is still due eventually. Tenants who can pay partial rent are advised to do so, since they will have to pay it later anyway. For those who live in subsidized housing, evictions for nonpayment are barred until at least July 30. Legal Aid Services of Oregon’s Douglas County Office is not taking walk-ins but is offering services by phone. For intakes, to make an appointment with a lawyer, or for general information, call (541) 673-1182. LAS Douglas County is also on Facebook. The statewide Legal Aid website has additional resources. A great guide to tenants’ rights in Oregon can also be found online here.
Separately, the state Legislature’s emergency board has set aside $12 million in housing assistance, the bulk of which will go toward Oregonians who are at risk of losing their housing due to effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The state assistance will be distributed through local agencies that provide homeless services. Anyone who can’t pay rent should call 211 and be connected to their nearest agency, or go online to the 211 Website for more information.
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 in March 8, 2020. 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 or federal COVID-19 response from the following websites: Oregon Health Authority, Centers for Disease Control, 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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