428 New Cases in Douglas County Since Monday, 59 Residents Now Hospitalized

Here is the latest COVID-19 update from Douglas County on Wednesday August 18th. COVID-19 RECAP FOR TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2021: On Tuesday, August 17, 2021, at 12:00 pm we had TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY-EIGHT (258) people with new positive test results, THREE (3) new presumptives and ONE (1) new death to report bringing our total number of cases of people with positive test results and presumptives in Douglas County to 6,470*. We had SIXTY-TWO (62) Douglas County COVID-19 patients hospitalized, fifty-six locally and six out-of-the-area, including one that was transferred out of the state for specialized care not available here. We continue to work with Mercy to provide information on our COVID patients being hospitalized locally: 12 ventilators (invasive mechanical airway support) are currently in use, and 12 COVID positive patients are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Of our hospitalized cases on Tuesday, FIFTY-FIVE (55) of the 62 were not vaccinated. COVID-19 UPDATE FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2021: As of 12:00 pm today, Wednesday, August 18, 2021, there are ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-ONE (161) people with new positive test results and SIX (6) new presumptives to report, bringing the total number of cases of people with positive test results and presumptives in Douglas County to 6,637*. Currently, there are FIFTY-NINE (59) Douglas County COVID-19 patients that are being hospitalized, fifty-three locally and six out-of-the-area, including one that had to be transferred out of the state for specialized care not available here. We continue to work with Mercy to provide information on our COVID patients being hospitalized locally: 13 ventilators (invasive mechanical airway support) are currently in use, and 12 COVID positive patients are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Of our hospitalized cases on Wednesday, FIFTY-FIVE (51) of the 59 were not vaccinated. We are also happy to report that we are seeing shorter hospital admits for those that are vaccinated. COVID-19 RELATED DEATH OF A DOUGLAS COUNTY RESIDENT Our Douglas County Public Health Officer, Dr. Robert Dannenhoffer, has confirmed the deaths of one more Douglas County resident related to the COVID-19 virus. Our one hundred and fifth COVID-19 related death is a 83-year-old woman who was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Saturday, August 7, 2021 and passed away on Monday, August 16, 2021. In the interest of privacy for the loved ones of this resident, no additional information will be released. Each death related to COVID-19 is painful for all Douglas County residents, and a sad reminder of the terrible impact COVID-19 has had in our local communities. The Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Dr. Dannenhoffer, DPHN 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. TOOLKIT TOPIC #1: PLEASE LIMIT PERSON TO PERSON CONTACT Our first topic from the tool kit is a reminder that this virus is spread through person-to-person contact. Most people do not even realize they might be carrying or unknowingly spreading the virus. So, right now, for the next few weeks, it is so very important to minimize interactions with others. It is important to be conscious of your interactions with others, especially in the workplace, at social gatherings and in public. It’s not only important to maintain a safe distance from others, but also be conscious of your surroundings. Are people yelling, cheering, coughing or sneezing? If so, then consider stepping farther back, as germ/virus spread distance can be increased during these instances. Are people congregating and sharing food or drinks or utensils, like at a potluck? If so, then consider bringing your own food or drinks or if you are hosting, offer prepacked or single serve meals, snacks or drinks. Events coming up? In the next few weeks, consider postponing in-person gatherings and visit with family and friends by phone or online instead of in-person. What about work? If the option is available, consider working from home. Need to shop or run errands? Try shopping online or check with your favorite local grocer, store or pharmacy to see if they offer curbside pickup or delivery options. Look at minimizing your errands. Have to be in close contact with others? Consider wearing a face covering where recommended, and also when in close contact with others not from your household. Not feeling well? Please, please, if you’re sick, stay home. If someone at your work is sick and refuses to go home, ask if you can be moved to another area or if you can work from home or go home. We understand it is not always possible to avoid contact with others, just do your best. As the Public Health Authority for Douglas County, your Douglas County Board of Commissioners, in conjunction with the advice of Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer, our Douglas County Public Health Officer and the staff at DPHN, they want to provide as much helpful and educational material as they can, so our residents can make the best decisions in protecting their families and our communities from further devastation from this disease. Stay tuned for more information from our prevention toolkit series in future updates. We have been steadfast in our recommendation that getting the COVID-19 vaccine is the number one safest, most effective measure available to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. It has also been shown to be incredibly effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalizations and death from the COVID virus. This recommendation was made based on the considerable amount of science-based evidence that was reviewed, studied and published by leading and respected medical professionals from all over the world. Please consider getting vaccinated. We do, however, understand that some people may have a different opinion on that subject, and others want to know what more they can do to stay safe during these trying times. With the recent overwhelming surge in local COVID cases, the emergence of highly contagious variants and subsequent hospitalizations, it is more important than ever to protect yourself and those you love from contracting this virus. So, to help our residents protect themselves and the ones they love, we have developed a prevention refresher series called the COVID Prevention Toolkit for 2021. The toolkit will contain educational information shared from leading sources in public health and medicine, and will include health and wellness tips, germ spread prevention measures, basic hygiene refreshers and safety reminders. We are hopeful that it will provide useful insight on how you can maintain your personal health and wellness, and prevent the spread of this virus at the same time. We plan to share the ideas from the toolkit in each of our upcoming updates, and once complete, we will make the prevention tool kit available online. UPDATE ON MERCY HEALTH'S VISITATION POLICY Shared from CHI Mercy Health. Yesterday, Mercy Health shared an update on their visitation policy. Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in our community, including the circulation of the highly contagious variants, CHI Mercy Health is temporarily restricting all visitor access, with some exceptions, at our hospital and all of our outpatients clinics. This change will take effect today, Wednesday, August 18, 2021. Also, with the hospital near maximum capacity, daily increases in admissions of more COVID positive patients and most Oregon hospitals near maximum capacity or full, Mercy is postponing all surgeries starting on Thursday, August 19, 2021. This includes all endoscopy procedures, elective and non-elective surgeries. This does not apply to emergent surgeries (C-sections, traumas, appendectomies etc.). The postponed surgeries will be reevaluated in two weeks. The Oregon Surgery Center located adjacent to Mercy Health will be turned into a medical and surgical unit location, so we can house patients needing care that are not COVID positive. The Family BirthPlace patients may continue to have one support person, but no visitors. Please note that children under 12 years of age are not permitted in the unit at this time. Mercy wants to thank anyone affected by these restrictions for their patience and understanding, and for their help in keeping our patients, caregivers and communities safe and healthy. COW CREEK BAND OF UMPQUA TRIBE OF INDIANS OPENED HEALTH AND WELLNESS CLINICS TO ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS FOR COVID VACCINATIONS AND TESTING Shared from Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians. The Cow Creek Health and Wellness Clinics opened up their COVID vaccination and testing clinics to all community members, not just Cow Creek or Tribal individuals. Any community member can get vaccinated for FREE at their drive-through vaccine site located at 2360 NE Stephens Street in Roseburg, on the following schedule throughout the month of August: Moderna Vaccine Offered: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm Johnson and Johnson Vaccine Offered: Thursdays from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Also, any community member, tribal or non-tribal, can get tested at either of the Cow Creek Health and Wellness Clinic (north and south) locations (see below for locations). The cost is $35, and they will bill insurance if you are insured. Community members do not have to be a clinic patient to get tested. Call (541) 672-8533 for more information and to schedule testing. Testing is available at both Cow Creek Health & Wellness locations: 2371 NE Stephens, Suite 200 in Roseburg and 480 Wartahoo Lane in Canyonville. AVIVA HAS A DEDICATED FREE COVID-19 VACCINATION CLINIC SITE IN ROSEBURG Shared from Aviva Health. Aviva Health has a dedicated COVID-19 vaccination clinic site at 4221 NE Stephens Street, Suite 101 in Roseburg, just across the street from its main Roseburg Clinic location near Costco and offers free COVID-19 vaccines by appointment. The COVID-19 vaccination clinic is e open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and is open for residents ages 12 and older**. To schedule an appointment please call (541) 672-9596.