Dec. 10, 2020
We know that holiday celebrations are important for many people in Oregon. Though many traditions involve gathering with our friends and family, this year the best way to honor loved ones is to celebrate at home with only the people we live with.
If you are considering gathering with people you don’t live with, here are some tips for making the decision:
- Check your county risk level to see what gathering size is allowed.
- Talk to the host about what steps are being taken to increase safety.
- Gathering outdoors is safer than indoors.
- Wear a mask indoors and outdoors.
- Avoid shouting or singing.
- Stay home if you are sick or have been near someone who thinks they may have or have been exposed to COVID-19.
- Remember, it’s OK if you decide to stay home and remain apart from others. Do what’s best for you.
Rather than canceling the holiday celebrations, plan your festivities and maintain your traditions with those in your household and include others virtually, including:
- Lighting candles over video together with family and friends near and far.
- Singing holiday songs with singalong.
- Watching holiday-themed movies as a family.
- Crafting or baking and dropping off what you’ve created without contact.
- Playing a game over the internet.
- Viewing holiday decorations around the neighborhood with people you live with, either by foot or car.
Coronavirus Update readers have shared many thoughtful and inventive ways they’re celebrating the holidays safely this year. We will share those in a series of articles starting in tomorrow’s issue.
We know that physical distancing can create increased concerns. Resources are available now for you or someone you know, including help with isolation, mental health, domestic and sexual violence and more. Help lines are confidential and offer translation services. Find resources in your community at oralert.gov/not-alone/.
Rain is in the forecast yet again. Throughout much of Oregon people are used to getting wet, and in fact many don’t even bother with carrying an umbrella. But rainy weather is yet another part of life that’s a little different during the COVID-19 pandemic.
See the graphic below for some tips on how to deal with rain and face coverings.
How do you take the “ugly” holiday sweater trend next level? During a pandemic, it has to be your face covering, right? You may have seen some of your fellow Oregonians sharing fun, creative and over-the-top creations with #UglyHolidayMask. (Here’s Colin Meloy’s baked ham mask, Cheryl Strayed’s Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Governor Kate Brown’s snow globe.) A very limited quantity were available through a partnership with the Portland Garment Factory and Wieden+Kennedy, with $25 from each sale benefiting the Oregon Food Bank.
Spread cheer and help stop the spread of COVID-19 over the holiday season by making and sharing your own #UglyHolidayMask.
COVID-19 has claimed 13 more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 1,123, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reported at 12:01 a.m. today.
OHA also reported 1,586 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 89,838.
COVID-19 hospitalizations: The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients across Oregon is 576, which is four fewer than yesterday. There are 127 COVID-19 patients in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds, which is five fewer than yesterday. The total number of patients in hospital beds may fluctuate between report times. The numbers do not reflect admissions per day, nor the length of hospital stay. Staffing limitations are not captured in this data and may further limit bed capacity. More information about hospital capacity can be found here.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (11), Benton (30), Clackamas (101), Clatsop (13), Columbia (26), Coos (10), Crook (6), Curry (2), Deschutes (47), Douglas (20), Grant (1), Harney (2), Hood River (10), Jackson (60), Jefferson (52), Josephine (14), Klamath (38), Lake (2), Lane (117), Lincoln (7), Linn (58), Malheur (26), Marion (153), Morrow (14), Multnomah (400), Polk (30), Sherman (1), Tillamook (7), Umatilla (31), Union (2), Wallowa (1), Wasco (12), Washington (247) and Yamhill (35).
Here is more information on the deaths reported today:
Oregon’s 1,111st COVID-19 death is a 64-year-old man in Multnomah County who tested positive on Nov. 9 and died on Dec. 4 at Providence Portland Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 1,112th COVID-19 death is an 83-year-old woman in Clackamas County who tested positive on Nov. 21 and died on Dec. 8 at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 1,113th COVID-19 death is a 91-year-old woman in Deschutes County who tested positive on Nov. 22 and died at her residence. Date of death is being confirmed. She had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 1,114th COVID-19 death is an 83-year-old man in Douglas County who tested positive on Nov. 27 and died on Dec. 9 at Mercy Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.
Oregon’s 1,115th COVID-19 death is a 75-year-old man in Douglas County who tested positive on Nov. 10 and died on Dec. 8 at his residence. He had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 1,116th COVID-19 death is a 90-year-old woman in Jackson County who tested positive on Nov. 30 and died on Dec. 7 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 1,117th COVID-19 death is a 73-year-old woman in Josephine County who tested positive on Nov. 29 and died on Dec. 8 at Three Rivers Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.
Oregon’s 1,118th COVID-19 death is an 81-year-old woman in Lane County who tested positive on Nov. 25 and died on Dec. 9 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 1,119th COVID-19 death is an 81-year-old woman in Lane County who tested positive on Dec. 1 and died on Dec. 7 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 1,120th COVID-19 death is a 97-year-old woman in Lane County who tested positive on Nov. 30 and died on Dec. 8 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 1,121st COVID-19 death is a 94-year-old woman in Marion County who tested positive on Nov. 26 and died on Dec. 6 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 1,122nd COVID-19 death is a 95-year-old woman in Marion County who tested positive on Nov. 25 and died on Nov. 27 at her residence. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.
Oregon’s 1,123rd COVID-19 death is an 81-year-old man in Union County who tested positive on Dec. 1 and died on Dec. 4 at his residence. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.
Mental and emotional resources for difficult times:
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Mental and emotional health resources are available on OHA’s Safe + Strong website.
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Or call the Safe + Strong Helpline at 800-923-4357 (800-923-HELP). The line offers free, 24-7 emotional support and resource referral to anyone who needs it – not only those experiencing a mental health crisis.
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