July 28, 2020
“As we surpass 300 deaths related to COVID-19, including the 14 deaths reported today, I wish to extend sincere condolences on behalf of everyone at OHA to the families who have lost a loved one to this disease. It is a stark reminder of the work all Oregonians need to do to bring this pandemic under control. Together we can slow this disease and prevent this terrible loss of life.” – OHA Director Patrick Allen
Today, Gov. Kate Brown and leaders from the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Department of Education shared new guidance about schools and how they might operate this fall.
There’s no simple, statewide answer for every school in Oregon. It is important to get students back to class, but how we do that depends on a number of important factors, such as: prevalence of the virus, availability of testing, the capacity of the local health care system to provide quality care and the readiness of the public health system to work with schools to contain any outbreaks.
Oregon’s Ready Schools, Safe Learners guidance outlines three learning options for Oregon schools:
- On-site: Students attend in person full-time.
- Hybrid: Students attend in person part time and do distance learning part-time.
- Comprehensive Distance Learning: Students learn remotely, experiencing daily interaction with teachers who will guide the student’s full educational experience. This option will provide additional supports for mental, social and emotional health, as well as family engagement.
Oregon public health officials have developed evidence-based metrics to help school boards and school districts make local decisions based on local conditions, to determine how they can safely reopen school.
The guidance offers some exceptions to address that communities across Oregon are dealing with a variety of circumstances and no one solution fits all. It also prioritizes in-person learning for kindergarten through third grade.
Today in Oregon, we are not where we need to be to safely reopen schools for in-person instruction in almost all counties. Schools need everyone in the community to help students safely return to the classroom and keep them in school. We can suppress COVID-19 and return to levels where we can safely reopen schools if we all do our part.
- Wear a mask or face-covering.
- Maintain physical distance.
- Avoid large group get-togethers.
You can view the press briefing on OHA’s YouTube channel. A transcript of Gov. Brown’s remarks is also available.
Tomorrow, OHA testing experts Melissa Sutton, MD, and Tom Jeanne, MD, will take questions from the public via Facebook Live on COVID-19 testing from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. From who can should get tested, how to find a testing location and beyond, the doctors will help demystify testing in Oregon.
There will be simultaneous translation in both Spanish and ASL.
To join in English: https://www.facebook.com/OregonHealthAuthority/posts/311452287525111
To join in Spanish: https://www.facebook.com/OHAespanol/live_videos/
COVID-19 has claimed 14 more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 303, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.
Oregon Health Authority reported 342 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today bringing the state total to 17,416. The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Benton (3), Clackamas (15), Clatsop (3), Coos (3), Crook (2), Curry (1), Deschutes (7), Douglas (2), Harney (1), Jackson (10), Jefferson (9), Josephine (9), Klamath (2), Lane (6), Linn (5), Malheur (15), Marion (40), Morrow (7), Multnomah (74), Polk (13), Umatilla (75), Washington (31), and Yamhill (9).
Oregon’s 290th COVID-19 death is a 77-year-old man in Multnomah County who tested positive on June 19 and died on July 22 at Portland Adventist Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 291st COVID-19 death is a 79-year-old man in Multnomah County who tested positive on July 3 and died on July 20 at Portland Adventist Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 292nd COVID-19 death is a 77-year-old woman in Jefferson County who tested positive on June 30 and died on July 23 at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.
Oregon’s 293rd COVID-19 death is a 94-year-old woman in Clackamas County who tested positive on July 19 and died on July 26 in her residence. She had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 294th COVID-19 death is a 54-year-old man in Malheur County who tested positive on June 24 and died on July 15 at St. Luke’s Nampa Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 295th COVID-19 death is a 26-year-old man in Yamhill County who died in his residence on July 10. The death certificate listed COVID-19 disease or SARS-CoV-2, as a cause of death or as a significant condition that contributed to his death.
Oregon’s 296th COVID-19 death is a 91-year-old woman in Clackamas County who became symptomatic on July 22, after close contact with a confirmed case, and died on July 26. Location of death and presence of underlying medical conditions are being confirmed.
Oregon’s 297th COVID-19 death is an 88-year-old man in Deschutes County who tested positive on July 23 and died on July 25 at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend. He had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 298th COVID-19 death is a 78-year-old woman in Deschutes County who tested positive on July 12 and died on July 23. Location of death is being confirmed. She had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 299th COVID-19 death is a 64-year-old woman in Jefferson County who tested positive on July 14 and died on July 27. Location of death and presence of underlying conditions are being confirmed.
Oregon’s 300th COVID-19 death is an 82-year-old woman in Jefferson County who tested positive on July 20 and died on July 26. Location of death is being confirmed. She had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 301st COVID-19 death is an 87-year-old man in Marion County who tested positive on July 14 and died on July 26 at Salem Hospital. He had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 302nd COVID-19 death is a 66-year-old woman in Marion County who tested positive on July 14 and died on July 24. Location of death is being confirmed. She had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 303rd death is an 84-year-old woman in Umatilla County who tested positive on July 22 and died on July 25. Location of death is being confirmed. She had underlying conditions.
|