Coronavirus Update: New COVID-19 Testing Locator Website

ViewOnline
House Speaker Tina Kotek

Coronavirus Update: New COVID-19 Testing Locator Website

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Today, our state matched another record for daily recorded deaths from coronavirus.

Seven Oregonians passed away, including three people who were below the age of 60: a 47-year-old man in Umatilla County, a 52-year-old man in Multnomah County, and a 59-year-old man in Washington County. The last person I mentioned did not have an “underlying medical condition.” I previously covered what conditions are defined as “underlying medical conditions” here, noting they can be common conditions and that it’s not just very sick people who die from coronavirus.

Today’s news is another clear reminder that this virus is a threat to all of us. If we are not doing all we can to protect ourselves and others, we are putting everyone at risk.


Consider the Risk 7-21-2020

Need A Test? New Testing Locator!

The Oregon Health Authority has launched a new site in partnership with Google, Castlight and local public health authorities to help you find local information about where testing is available. You can click the image below to access the site.


Testing Locator Site 7-21-2020

The state’s testing guidance recommends that all people with symptoms get tested, and if resources are limited, recommends prioritizing certain groups, including the elderly, pregnant women, essential workers, people whose first language is not English, and people who identify as Black, African American, Latinx, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Asian American, Pacific Islander, or as having a disability. The guidance includes testing considerations for asymptomatic people with exposure to COVID-19 and other vulnerable populations.

In Multnomah County, public health officials have said that anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 can get tested for free at Multnomah County’s East County Health Center (600 NE 8th Street, Gresham). They are focused on reaching Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color, people without health insurance, and people without a regular health care provider.

As this story from KGW notes, the county is experiencing testing challenges as cases continue to be on the rise. Testing hours at the East County Health Center are Mondays and Thursdays from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm. Please call 503-988-8939 to make an appointment to avoid long wait times.

OHSU also has testing available without an appointment. They are testing people with symptoms (ages 2 months and older) and people without symptoms if they are at risk for severe illness or if they have been exposed to COVID-19.

Gordon Faber Recreation Center, Hillsboro Stadium
4450 NE Century Blvd, Hillsboro
Monday - Saturday, 9 am to 4 pm.

Portland Expo Center
2060 N Marine Drive, Portland
Monday - Saturday, 9 am to 4 pm.

Budget Subcommittee Hearings Start Tomorrow

As I discussed last week, the co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means have released a budget rebalance plan to address the shortfalls in the state budget caused by the pandemic economic recession. Their plan tries to protect essential investments in public education, health care, child welfare, housing, economic development, and other critical areas during this unprecedented public health and economic crisis. You can read their full 13-page proposal here.

Starting tomorrow through the rest of this week, the six different Ways and Means Subcommittees will meet remotely to take testimony on the proposal. I’ve reposted the schedule below, and the agendas are linked to each subcommittee name. Each agenda has more detailed information on how to submit written testimony and sign up for live remote testimony, as well as how to livestream each meeting.

Wednesday, July 22:
Natural Resources: 9 am - 12 pm
General Government: 1 pm - 4 pm
Thursday, July 23:
Education: 9 am - 12 pm
Human Services: 1 pm - 4 pm
Friday, July 24:
Public Safety: 9 am -12 pm
Transportation and Economic Development: 1 pm - 4 pm


The Latest News

  • Tomorrow, Governor Brown will hold a press conference at 11 am to discuss the state’s efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus. You can livestream the press conference at this link.
  • Last week, the legislative Emergency Board allocated $50 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Fund dollars to support music, culture, and community venues and organizations that have had to close or significantly change their activities because of the pandemic. Oregon Public Broadcasting has a story here about how that funding is being distributed, as well as highlighting the need for further federal relief given the scale of this crisis.
  • The Oregon Department of Human Services announced that licensed long-term care providers may begin providing limited outdoor visitation for residents if the facility develops a plan to adhere to required safeguards to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Oregon Public Broadcasting covered this change here.
  • The Oregon Liquor Control Commission is considering the idea of permanently allowing home delivery of beer, wine, and spirits. There will be opportunity for public input. The Oregonian has more information here.
  • The Oregon Health Authority reported 299 new confirmed cases of coronavirus, bringing the statewide total of new and presumptive cases to 15,139. Sadly, seven more people have died, meaning there have been 269 Oregonians to die of the coronavirus. You can click the images below for links to interactive data tables about coronavirus in Oregon.

OHA COVID-19 Update

OHA Epi Curve 7-21-2020

OHA County Map 7-21-2020

To read past newsletters, you can go to this link. For up to date information, please check this link to the Oregon Health Authority where regular updates are posted: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ERD/Pages/News-Releases.aspx

Please email me at Rep.TinaKotek@oregonlegislature.gov if you have specific concerns that have not been addressed by the OHA. Our office will do all we can to help and protect all Oregonians.

Thank you for reading! We will get through this together.

Best,

Tina

Tina Kotek

State Representative
House District 44
Speaker of the House

email: Rep.TinaKotek@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1200
address: 900 Court St NE, H-269, Salem, OR 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/kotek