This week, people in 25 of Oregon’s 36 counties learned that their counties fell under the “extreme” risk category in Gov. Kate Brown’s newest framework. The new framework charted out what restrictions businesses and individuals would be subject to, based on the severity of COVID-19 in their areas.
Businesses in counties in the “extreme” category, for example, are limited to only outdoor dining, while those in the “high risk” category can return to indoor dining at 25% capacity. Indoor recreation and fitness centers stay closed under extreme risk and can open at 25% capacity under high risk.
We know that Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook counties are among those in the “extreme” category—but what does that mean, exactly… and what needs to happen to see us move into less-extreme categories? This info may help.
We know that Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook counties are among those in the “extreme” category—but what does that mean, exactly… and what needs to happen to see us move into less-extreme categories? This info may help.
Sorting out what’s what has been a bit confusing, even for us, who get the pleasure of sorting through charts, tables and press conferences on the subject almost daily. But here’s what we know:
– Counties with populations over 30,000, including Deschutes County, that are in the extreme risk category need to see a case count average of fewer than 200 cases per 100,000 over 14 days to move down to the next level of risk—OR a test positivity rate of less than 10%. If one metric would put a county in one category versus another—such as if the cases per 100,000 showed worse outcomes than the test-positivity rate, for example, the state would keep that county in the higher-risk category.
Counties with 15,000 people, and up to 30,000 people—which applies to both Crook and Jefferson counties—will be evaluated based on the total number of cases or the test positivity rate, with the higher (or worse) metric being the one that puts a county in one category or another. Counties with fewer than 15,000 people will be assessed based on the number of cases over a two-week period.
According to the most recent data from the Oregon Health Authority, Deschutes County clocked in at 374.1 cases per 100,000 people, with a test positivity rate of 7.1%—putting it squarely in the extreme category.
Crook County had 63 confirmed cases during the same time frame, with a 6.5% test-positivity rate, and Jefferson County had 150 cases, with a 13.5% test positivity rate.
State officials will publish new data on county case counts every week, but will only re-assess risk levels every two weeks. With these numbers being so crucial for seeing businesses in Central Oregon and the wider state reopen, we’ll track and publish the latest information in our daily newsletter, Cascades Reader, every day.
Stay on top of those numbers by signing up for the Cascades Reader here.
This article appears in Dec 2-9, 2020.
MAKE LOCAL JOURNALISM HAPPEN
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
Central Oregon has a significant trans-generational Veteran population –
Many of our veterans regardless of age have diagnosed co-occurring medical conditions that in conjunction with COVID 19 infection are life-threatening –
The VA recommends the following per its website –
https://www.publichealth.va.gov/n-coronavi…
What should Veterans do?
Veterans with symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath should immediately contact their local VA facility. VA urges Veterans to contact VA before visiting – you can find contact information for your closest VA facility. Alternatively, Veterans can sign into My HealtheVet to send secure messages to their VA providers or use telehealth options to explain their condition and receive a prompt diagnosis.
Read responses to Veterans’ frequently asked questions about accessing their VA benefits.
Upon arriving at VA, all patients will be screened for flu-like symptoms before they enter in order to protect other patients and staff. A VA health care professional will assist you with next steps once this screening process is complete.
At this time, VA is urging all visitors who do not feel well to please postpone their visits to VA facilities.
How to protect yourself
Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent the COVID-19 infection and no medication to treat it. CDC believes symptoms appear 2 to 14 days after exposure. Avoid exposure and avoid exposing others to an infection with these simple steps.
Learn to use VA Video Connect through the VA mobile app store or by contacting your VA care team, before any urgent problems arise.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. An easy way to mark the time is to hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice while scrubbing.
Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick or becoming sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue (not your hands) and throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Getting a flu shot is recommended.