April 5, 2020

Stay informed to flatten the curve

As of today, Oregon has reported more than 1,000 COVID-19 cases for the first time. (More details are below.) We know this is alarming to hear, but your efforts are helping to flatten the curve. Thank you for all you’re doing to help, including staying informed.

Homemade masks can supplement but not replace Stay Home, Save Lives orders 

In light of the CDC’s new guidance on homemade masks or cloth face coverings, Oregon Health Authority is reminding Oregonians that staying home and avoiding all non-essential contact with others continues to be the most important thing all of us can do to stay healthy and keep others healthy. OHA also asks that medical masks be saved for health care workers, who are on the front lines of caring for those with COVID-19. Read more from OHA on homemade masks here.

Talking to children and teens about COVID-19

Students are spending a significant time out of school due to COVID-19. It is natural they may feel stress and anxiety about when they will get to return to their regular routines with their teachers and their friends. Children will likely have many questions about what the virus is, why schools are closed, and why they have limited access to friends and family. The Oregon Department of Education has put together resources for talking with children about COVID-19.

Oregon reports 1 new COVID-19 death, 69 new COVID-19 cases

 

COVID-19 has claimed one more life in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll from 26 to 27, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 8 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority also reported 69 new cases of COVID-19 as of 8 a.m. today. The new COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Clackamas (6), Columbia (3), Klamath (1), Lane (3), Linn (2), Marion (10), Multnomah (24), Polk (2), Sherman (1), Umatilla (2), Washington (12), Yamhill (3). Oregon Health Authority reports new cases once a day on its website: www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus.

Oregon’s 27th COVID-19 death is a 62-year-old female in Multnomah County, who tested positive on April 2, 2020, and died on April 2, 2020, in her residence. It is unknown at this time if she had underlying medical conditions.