Oregon COVID-19 Update for Monday March 16th

Today was another eventful day. Oregon Health Officials Forecast an additional 1,000 hospital beds, and 400 ICU beds will be needed statewide by April 11th. Governor Kate Brown today announced new measures to flatten the curve of coronavirus transmission in Oregon. The new orders on social distancing measures are effective tomorrow, March 17, for at least four weeks, and they include: - A statewide cancelation of all events and gatherings larger than 25 people — exempting essential locations like workplaces, grocery stores, pharmacies, and retail stores. It's additionally recommended that Oregonians avoid gatherings of 10 people or more. - Restaurants, bars, and other establishments may not offer food or beverages for on-site consumption; they are restricted to carry-out and delivery only. - Food service at health care facilities, workplaces, and other essential facilities will continue. - All other businesses are urged to assess their practices, implement strong social distancing measures, and close their doors temporarily if they cannot put the new guidance in place. The Governor has also established a Coronavirus Economic Advisory Council to examine ways to mitigate the impacts of new social distancing measures and anything else that adversely affects Oregon's economy. Schools - not updating the April 1st restart date. It still stands for the moment. Obviously this could change. "Can your business do the equivalent of restaurant takeout?” Brown asked. "If you cannot do that, I strongly urge you to close your doors to customers temporarily.” Urging all businesses to adopt social distancing measures. It's not a demand for all businesses to close their doors. At this point, it's a request if "a take out" version is not possible. OHA announces eight new COVID-19 cases Oregon now has a total of 47 people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19. The Oregon Health Authority announced eight new cases of the novel coronavirus as of 10:30 a.m. today. OHA is reporting 2 new cases in both Benton and Deschutes Counties and 1 new case in each of the following counties: Clackamas, Marion, Multnomah and Washington. Douglas County declared a state of emergency https://roseburg.jointracker.com/posts/5e6fdf2d8319cb00041f6a4b Douglas County Emergency Management is collecting information from small businesses in Douglas County who may be financially suffering due to the impacts of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. https://roseburg.jointracker.com/posts/5e6fea038319cb00041f6a50 Mercy Medical Center and Family Birthplace updated their visitor policy https://www.facebook.com/groups/roseburgtracker/permalink/3166329500116056/ Roseburg Police shared an update about how they are going to respond to property related crimes in the area https://www.facebook.com/groups/roseburgtracker/permalink/3167248686690804/ COVID-19 Q&A with Douglas Public Health Officer Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer. March 16, 2020. https://www.facebook.com/DouglasPublicHealthNetwork/videos/1572067939627972/ Press on everyone, we’ll get through this.