Facts and frequently asked questions —

Testing:

• Lane County (as of May 19, at 8 a.m.)

  Lane County has 65 positive COVID-19 test results, one (1) presumptive case, and 2 suspected COVID-19 deaths as of May 19. At least 7,889 tests have been conducted for Lane County residents.*  

  *Note: this number is likely below the actual number of tests conducted. Private labs are processing tests from Lane County residents and there is variability in reporting of negative results. Lane County Public Health is being notified of any positive test results.

  To see data related to COVID-19 in Lane County, visit www.LaneCountyOR.gov/data.

  * Presumptive cases are people without a positive PCR test who have COVID-19-like symptoms and had close contact with a confirmed case. Though not confirmed by a positive diagnostic test, presumptive cases have a high likelihood of having COVID-19 because of the specific nature of the symptoms and known exposure.

  Community Call Center

  Lane County has opened a call center to answer community questions regarding the Novel Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. The call center, which can be reached by calling 541-682-1380, is part of the Joint Information Center (JIC) established March 9, 2020 by Lane County Health & Human Services to get the most accurate information out to community members. — Lane County Public Health

  Douglas County (As of May 20, at Noon)

  No new cases of COVID-19 in Douglas County have been reported. The total number of positive cases in Douglas County remains at 25. Testing continues, as DPHN has been holding 2-3 clinics a week and hospitals, urgent cares and clinics continue to test. Twenty-five people have tested positive in the county and 23 of those 25 have recovered. DPHN defines recovery as an end to all symptoms after a positive test for COVID-19. DPHN continues their epidemiologic investigations, identifying individuals who may have had close contact with individuals that have tested positive for COVID-19, advising and supporting quarantine. The majority of the individuals who have tested positive earlier have now recovered.

  The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has expanded its reporting for COVID-19 case management and is now including presumptive COVID-19 cases. DPHN will also be 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. 

  Get Tested & Testing Clinics

  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. 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 Health Authority: (as of May 21, at 4 p.m.)

  COVID-19 has claimed four more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 144, the Oregon Health Authority reported.

  Oregon Health Authority reported 65 new confirmed cases and 10 new presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 8 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 3,801. The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Benton (1), Clatsop (4), Deschutes (9), Josephine (2), Lane (1), Linn (1), Marion (24), Multnomah (13), Polk (1), Umatilla (4), Washington (14), Yamhill (1).

  Oregon’s 141st COVID-19 death is a 94-year-old woman in Washington County, who tested positive on May 10 and died May 19 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. She had underlying medical conditions.

  Oregon’s 142nd COVID-19 death is a 90-year-old man in Washington County, who tested positive on April 4 and died May 14 at his residence. He had underlying medical conditions.

  Oregon’s 143rd COVID-19 death is a 75-year-old woman in Multnomah County, who tested positive on May 9 and died May 18 at the Portland VA Medical Center. She had underlying medical conditions.

  Oregon’s 144th COVID-19 death is a 58-year-old woman in Multnomah County, who tested positive on May 3 and died May 8 at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. She had underlying medical conditions.

  To see more case and county level data, please visit the Oregon Health Authority website, which OHA updates once a day: www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus.

Lane County Public Health information

— Prevention

• Lane County Public Health is encouraging residents to practice social distancing wherever possible.
• Social distancing means:
• Cover your cough. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then throw the tissue away. If you don't have a tissue, cough into your elbow.
• Don't shake hands. Avoid unnecessary contact by not shaking hands, hugging or kissing as greetings. Find other, non-contact ways to say hello.
• Leave space. Maintain a 6-foot radius between yourself and others in public spaces. (Droplets that may carry influenza and COVID-19 can commonly travel up to 6 feet.)
• Think it through. If you would normally reconsider attending an event during flu season, reconsider it now. People over 60 and those with pre-existing respiratory, cardiac conditions, or who are immuno-compromised should avoid all large gatherings.

— Seniors and At-Risk Populations

People over 60 and those with pre-existing cardio and respiratory conditions, as well as those who are immunocompromised are urged to avoid large gatherings.

Large gatherings are those voluntary activities that do not allow people the option to maintain a distance of 6 feet from others. Large gatherings may include church services, movies, concerts and performances or similar events. We urge residents who meet the criteria above to be cautious about attending any event that brings large groups of people together in a confined area.

We encourage everyone to make use of technology (FaceTime, video calls, and other tools) to stay in touch with senior community members. Isolation can be unhealthy, especially for elderly community members who live alone. Staying in touch can help people remain connected to their loved ones and their communities.

• A list of primary immune deficiencies is available from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.: https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/types-pidds

• A list of cardiovascular conditions is available from the Centers for Disease Control:

https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/other_conditions.htm

Common respiratory illnesses include: asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, emphysema, lung cancer, cystic fibrosis, pneumonia, pleural effusion. Other factors that increase risk include: smoking, allergies and other respiratory illness.

— Large Events

On March 11, 2020, Oregon.gov posted that Governor Kate Brown announced the following measures to slow the spread of COVID-19: 

1. Large gatherings: All large gatherings over 250 people will be canceled statewide effective immediately for four weeks. A gathering is defined as any event in a space in which appropriate social distancing of a minimum of three feet cannot be maintained.

2. Schools: In addition to previous guidance issued on March 8, 2020 to keep schools open, all non-essential school-associated gatherings and group activities should be canceled — such as group parent meetings, field trips, and competitions: https://www.oregon.gov/ode/students-and-family/healthsafety/Pages/COVID19.aspx

3. Workplace: Recommended implementation of distancing measures including an increased physical space between employees in offices and worksites, limited in-person meetings, limited travel, and staggered work schedules where possible.

4. Long-Term Care and Assisted Living: Strict limitations announced this week by the Oregon Health Authority and Department of Human Services remain in place: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ERD/Pages/New-guidance-long-term-care-facilities-limit-exposure-COVID-19.aspx

Oregon Health Authority (PHA) information

— What is novel coronavirus?

Novel coronavirus is a virus strain that has only spread in people since December 2019. Health experts are concerned because little is known about the new virus. It has the potential to cause severe illness and pneumonia in some people and there is not a treatment.

How does novel coronavirus spread?

Health experts are still learning the details about how this new coronavirus spreads. Other coronaviruses spread from an infected person to others through:

• The air by coughing and sneezing
• Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
• Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.

— How severe is novel coronavirus?

Experts are still learning about the range of illness from novel coronavirus. Reported cases have ranged from mild illness (similar to a common cold) to severe pneumonia that requires hospitalization. So far, death have been reported mainly in older adults who had other health conditions.

— What are the symptoms?

People who have been diagnosed with novel coronavirus have reported symptoms that may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the virus:

Fever

Cough

Difficulty breathing

— What should I do if I have symptoms?

Call your healthcare provider to identify the safest way to receive care. Let them know if you have traveled to an affected area within the last 14 days.

— Who is at risk for novel coronavirus?

Currently the risk to the general public is low. At this time, there are a small number of individual cases in the US. To minimize the risk of spread, health officials are working with healthcare providers to promptly identify and evaluate any suspected cases.

Travelers to and from certain areas of the world may be at increased risk. See wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel for the latest travel guidance from the CDC.

— How is novel coronavirus treated?

There are no medications specifically approved for coronavirus. Most people with mild coronavirus illness will recover on their own by drinking plenty of fluids, resting and taking pain and fever medications. However, some cases develop pneumonia and require medical care of hospitalization.

— How can I prevent from getting novel coronavirus?

If you are traveling overseas (to China but also other places) follow the CDC’s guidance: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.

Right now, the novel coronavirus has not been spreading widely in the United States, so there are no additional precautions recommended for the general public. Steps you can take to prevent spread of flu and the common cold will also help prevent coronavirus:

• Wash hands often with soap and water. If not available, use hand sanitizer
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid contact with people who are sick
• Stay home while you are sick and avoid close contact with others
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing
• Currently, there are no vaccines available to prevent novel coronavirus infections.