November 5, 2020
Today, we reported 805 new COVID-19 cases in Oregon; sadly, this is another record daily case count.
The cause of today’s cases is still under investigation, but data from recent weeks continues to show that increased spread is due to small informal gatherings rather than large workplace or other outbreaks, according to Dean Sidelinger, state health officer at OHA. Sporadic cases – those not traced to a source – are also increasing. The percentage of positive tests is also rising, up to 8.5% last week.
“COVID-19 is spreading in Oregon at an unprecedented rate, driven in no small measure by in-person, indoor social gatherings. You are most likely to get COVID-19 from your family and friends,” said Governor Kate Brown. “Let me be clear: We cannot allow this disease to continue to spread so rapidly in our communities. Lives are at stake. Oregonians have made tremendous sacrifices to help each other throughout this pandemic, which is why Oregon has done relatively better than many other states at containing COVID-19. We can’t let up now. I will take further action to stop the spread of COVID-19, and I need Oregonians to continue to do their part as well.”
“Today’s high case count, combined with recent high counts, continue to show that COVID-19 is spreading more rapidly in Oregon than we had hoped,” Sidelinger said. “All this data leads us to conclude that Oregonians are circulating more in their communities. They are letting their guard down – and doing so as the weather turns colder. They are also spending more time indoors. Our tools to manage such spread rely on Oregonians getting more strict with themselves: not gathering or attending parties of any kind, wearing face coverings when outside the household, and physically distancing at all times.”
The flu vaccine can take up to two weeks to become effective, so no matter what you have planned for Thanksgiving this year, get your flu shot now.
“Getting a flu vaccine is an easy way people can protect themselves and their loved ones and help reduce the spread of flu this fall and winter,” said Paul Cieslak, M.D., public health physician at the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).
Flu vaccines are safe and effective but will not protect against COVID-19. “We need to lessen the dual threat of flu and COVID-19 spreading at the same time,” Cieslak said. A “twindemic” of two potentially fatal viruses circulating at the same time could burden the state’s health care system and result in many illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths.
OHA recommends everyone 6 months and older get a flu shot. Flu vaccine is available from health care providers, local health departments and many pharmacies. The vaccine is free or low cost with most health insurance plans. To find a flu vaccine clinic, visit www.flu.oregon.gov and use OHA’s flu vaccine locator tool.
Check out this infographic about flu shots and share it with your friends and family on your Facebook and Instagram accounts.
COVID-19 has claimed five more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 710, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.
OHA also reported 805 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today bringing the state total to 47,839.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (13), Benton (7), Clackamas (71), Clatsop (1), Columbia (7), Coos (2), Crook (4), Deschutes (45), Douglas (10), Grant (5), Hood River (2), Jackson (67), Jefferson (4), Josephine (9), Klamath (1), Lane (37), Lincoln (1), Linn (24), Malheur (18), Marion (79), Morrow (3), Multnomah (196), Polk (8), Umatilla (26), Union (7), Wallowa (1), Wasco (6), Washington (134), and Yamhill (17).
Oregon’s 706th COVID-19 death is a 74-year-old man in Clackamas County who tested positive on Nov. 2 and died on Nov. 3 at Providence Portland Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.
Oregon’s 707th COVID-19 death is an 86-year-old man in Multnomah County who tested positive on Oct. 14 and died on Nov. 2 at Legacy Mt. Hood Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.
Oregon’s 708th COVID-19 death is a 62-year-old woman in Douglas County who tested positive on Oct. 14 and died on Nov. 4 at Mercy Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 709th COVID-19 death is an 80-year-old woman in Douglas County who tested positive on Oct. 8 and died on Nov. 4 at Mercy Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 710th COVID-19 death is a 75-year-old man in Crook County who tested positive on Oct. 29 and died on Oct. 17 in his residence. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.
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