Douglas County Nov 17: 33 New Cases, One New Death & 14 Hospitalized Locally

(DCCRT) (Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County COVID-19 Test Results: Sadly, we hit another new record for the number of daily cases, with 33 new positive cases today. As of 12:00 pm today, Tuesday, November 17, 2020, there are THIRTY- TWO (32) people with new positive test results, ONE (1) presumptive that has been moved to positive with a positive test result, ONE (1) new presumptive and ONE (1) death since our noon case update yesterday*. The total number of cases (people with positive test results and presumptive) in Douglas County is now at 678*. Currently, there are FOURTEEN (14) Douglas County COVID-19 patients that are being hospitalized, 14 locally, and 1 out-of-the-area. Our Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team, under the direction of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer, our Public Health Officer and Douglas Public Health Network continue to devote all resources available to our local COVID efforts. Twelfth COVID-19 Related Death of a Douglas County Resident Our Douglas County Public Health Officer, Dr. Robert Dannenhoffer, has confirmed the death of our twelfth Douglas County resident from the COVID-19 virus. Our twelfth COVID related death is an 86-year-old man who passed away today, Tuesday, November 17, 2020, in Roseburg, Oregon. He tested positive for COVID-19 upon being admitted to the hospital on November 10, 2020. In the interest of privacy for the individual’s loved ones, no additional information will be released. Each death related to COVID-19 is painful for all Douglas County residents, and a reminder of the terrible impact COVID-19 has had in our local communities. The Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Dr. Dannenhoffer, DPHN staff and the DCCRT Team extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to all family members, friends, relatives, co-workers and community members of those who have passed after contracting this deadly virus. “Each and every person we lose to this deadly virus is one to many. On behalf of my family, my fellow Board of Commissioners, Dr. Dannenhoffer, DPHN staff and the DCCRT team, we send our sincere condolences and prayers to the family, friends and neighbors of this beloved resident,” commented Commissioner Tim Freeman. “COVID-19 doesn’t care who you are, what you believe or how you voted. COVID-19 does not discriminate, it just spreads and attacks. The key to stopping the spread of COVID, is you, me, and everyone working together to fight this terrible intruder head on. This is a battle, and we need to all be united in our efforts to defend and protect our families, loved ones, neighbors and communities from catching and spreading this disease. We cannot stress enough how important it is to be vigilant in following the health and safety guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID right now! Please keep your distance from others, stay home if you are sick, delay travel plans, postpone gatherings, wash your hands, sanitize surfaces and wear a mask. Remember, each of you have the ability to stop this virus, and we ALL need to do our part to keep each other safe, healthy and protected." STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK! Please Stay Home from All Activities If You Are Sick OR Feeling Even a Little Sick OR Not Fully Recovered from Being Sick! Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer, Douglas County Public Health Official would like to remind residents about the importance of staying home when you are sick to help protect others from getting sick. This means not only staying home from work and school, but also staying home from all other activities and social events. Please, if you are sick, even if you just have a runny nose or stuffy head, do not attend birthday parties, weddings, poker nights, prayer groups, church or go work out at the gym and expose others to your illness. You Are the Key to Controlling the Spread of COVID! It is no secret that the key to stopping the continued spread of the coronavirus is, YOU, our residents, our families, our communities and our businesses. Yes, prevention is the best medicine, and not just to help stop the spread of COVID, but for your overall health and wellbeing as well. If each and every individual in our county would make a real concerted effort to implement prevention measures into their daily routine, we could see a huge decrease in our COVID case numbers. That means we need each and everyone one of our residents to take steps to minimize the spread of germs and contagions. They can do this by choosing to maintain healthier eating habits; incorporate exercise and cleaning routines; being cautious and keeping distance from others; making modifications to how you socialize with others; choosing no contact deliveries and services; and staying home if you are sick. The suggestions we make and the guidelines presented by public health are not just for your health and safety, but for the health and safety of everyone, including our kids, our grandparents, our coworkers, our first responders, our teachers and our businesses. We know we sound like a broken record, but our primary focus is to do everything we can to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of our residents. Tips to Help Stop the Spread of COVID Make a habit of washing and sanitizing your hands, regularly. That means washing after you eat, if you touch new surfaces, go to the bathroom, open a door, go to the store, go to the post office or after a meeting. Also try and avoid touching your face as much as possible. Please wear a mask where recommended. Not just for your protection, but for the protection of others. Stay at least six feet apart from anyone that is not from your immediate household. This means paying attention to the distance stickers at the store, the bank, at restaurants and at businesses. Please be respectful, kind and polite, by giving people ample space. Stay home from work, school and play if you are sick. This includes not running errands or going shopping or inviting visitors to your home. If you need help, reach out to friends, family or utilize an app or businesses that offer no contact deliveries or services. Minimize travel, especially out of the state and limit visitors to your home. Minimize attending social gatherings or going places where there are large groups of people. We are now passed the six hundred and seventy mark with COVID-19 cases in Douglas County, with 34 new positive and presumptive cases today. The DCCRT team, under the direction of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, along with Dr. Dannenhoffer and Douglas Public Health Network encourage residents to make prevention measures a part of their everyday routines. Local Cases Being Supported in Isolation and Quarantine Currently, DPHN is supporting 199 cases in isolation, as well as another 500 contacts in quarantine in Douglas County. Isolation is recommended for confirmed and presumptive cases, quarantine is recommended for contacts of confirmed or presumptive cases. Currently, staff is supporting an astonishing 699 total contacts in isolation or quarantine. This number represents a snapshot of the significant amount of work being done by our county and Douglas Public Health Network to help control the spread of COVID-19. Getting Tested & Testing Clinics The next drive-through testing clinic will be Today, Tuesday, November 17, 2020, in Roseburg. As a reminder, 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. Patients without a Douglas County (541) 672-3311 Douglas Public Health Network (541) 440-3571 Primary Care Provider, that are looking for a COVID-19 test should contact the Sutherlin Aviva Health Clinic at (541) 459- 3788. The first drive-through testing site was piloted in the county on March 17, 2020, there have been 1877 people tested in 90 drive-through clinics, while additional testing continues in hospitals, urgent cares and 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.