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March 29, 2020
Dear Neighbors and Friends:
Happy Sunday! I hope that you and your loved ones are doing well, staying healthy, and looking out for your neighbors and friends.
If you’ve been able to stay at home except for exercise or grocery/pharmacy shopping today, thank you for doing your part to keep us all safe. If you were out because you’re performing essential work and exposing yourself to risk on our behalf, please know how much we appreciate what you’re doing for us all.
TODAY’S CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
- OHA has reported that 69 additional Oregonians have tested positive for COVID-19, another big increase that puts our total numbers at 548.
- The number of test results continues to rise each day. Today’s numbers reflect an increase of 1,254 test results from the day before, bringing the total test results so far to 11,426.
- The number of Oregonians who have been hospitalized with symptoms is now at 129, an increase of 12 from yesterday.
- We are now getting daily reports on the number of Oregonians with symptoms who are currently in hospital. That number for today is 142, an increase of 35 from yesterday.
- You’ll notice a discrepancy between the numbers reported in the previous two bullets. How could the number of those currently in hospital for the virus be higher than the cumulative number of those with the virus who have been and are in hospital? The reason is that the numbers are coming from different sources. The first number is the consequence of research done by the OHA and includes only those who have tested positive for COVID-19. The second number is coming from the hospitals themselves and consists of those who display corona-like symptoms but includes people whose tests have not yet come back.
- I’m happy to report that the number of deaths in Oregon remains at 13 today.
- We are now getting reports on hospital bed and ventilator availability on a daily basis:
- 285 ICU beds are available statewide (an increase of 2 from yesterday).
- 2,010 non-ICU beds are available statewide (reduction of 89 from yesterday).
- 767 ventilators are available statewide (an increase of 21).
- We are also now getting a new daily statistic:
- COVID-19 Patients On Ventilator: 37, an increase of 6 from yesterday.
- And here are the latest national numbers, as of yesterday:
- Total Tests: 735,704 (up 109,071 from the previous day)
- Positive Tests; 118,234 (up 18,821 from the previous day)
- Hospitalizations: 16,729 (up 3,011 from the previous day)
- Deaths: 1,965 (up 435 from the previous day)
Tips On Cleaning
In order to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe from the virus, we’re told that we should be cleaning surfaces in our homes, at work (if we are working in essential industries), or our cars if we have to use them. This is especially true if you or anyone in your household are going out to shop or work. We’re told to pay special attention to frequently-touched surfaces such as door handles, phones, remote controls, light switches, and bathroom fixtures. Horizontal surfaces are especially important, as the virus is spread by droplets that tend to land and linger on horizontal surfaces.
The good folks at Multnomah County have put together a nice webpage with advice and examples for us to follow. Check it out.
Donation Sites for Multnomah County
I’ve mentioned before how people all over the state are stepping up to volunteer their time and donate needed materials. The state Office of Emergency Management website includes a way for people to donate needed goods and services and become part of the statewide SERV-OR network.
In addition, most counties and local governments have launched their own points of contact for those wishing to volunteer and donate. Here locally Multnomah County and the City of Portland have initiated a coordinated response effort, called the Joint Volunteer Information Center in order to coordinate our regional response to COVID-19. You can learn more about it, fill out a volunteer application form, and find out where to bring donated materials here.
What kinds of goods are being requested? They fall into two categories: PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and non-PPE.
Here’s the PPE they’re looking for:
- Latex free gloves (in sealed box only)
- Procedural masks
- Surgical masks
- N95 respirators and N95 filters
- Other respirators (P100's, PAPR's, and PAPR supplies or parts)
- Face shields
- Splash shields
- Gowns
- Hand sanitizer
- Disinfecting wipes
And here’s the non-PPE they’re seeking:
- Toilet paper
- Facial tissue
- Thermometers
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered disinfectant
- Homemade masks (cannot be used in medical facilities, but may be considered in social service settings)
The web page also includes a place where medical and non-profit service providers can request donations. This is an important part of the coordinated effort.
We can expect that the specific needs for volunteers and donations will be changing over time, so you should check the page regularly.
AND FINALLY,
Here again are some resources that you will find useful:
If the above links are not providing you with answers to your questions or directing you to the help that you need, please consider me and my office to be a resource. We’ll do our best to assist you or steer you in the right direction.
Best,
 Senator Michael Dembrow
District 23
email: Sen.MichaelDembrow@oregonlegislature.gov
web: www.senatordembrow.com
phone: 503-986-1723
mail: 900 Court St NE, S-407, Salem, OR, 97301
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