Coronavirus and Wildfire Update: Oregon Shatters Daily Case Count Record

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House Speaker Tina Kotek

Coronavirus and Wildfire Update: Oregon Shatters Daily Case Count Record

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Today, the Oregon Health Authority reported another 805 COVID-19 cases. The figure shatters the previous record of 600, which was set last Friday.

This is a staggering number. Unfortunately, it’s not all that surprising given that it’s part of an ongoing trend across the United States. The country exceeded 100,000 cases in a single day for the first time, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Locally, today’s news follows some similarly alarming data in the latest COVID-19 Weekly Report, which the Oregon Health Authority published yesterday and can be read in full here. The headline is that cases last week were up 34% from the previous week, which is the second consecutive week that daily case counts set a record high for the pandemic.

Here are some additional important highlights from the previous week:

  • During Monday, October 26, through Sunday, November 1, the state recorded 3,542 new cases of COVID-19 infection, up 34% from last week’s tally of 2,642.
  • The number of Oregonians newly tested rose another 10%, to 34,591. The percentage of tests that were positive rose to 8.4%
  • There were 37 Oregonians reported to have died in association with COVID-19, compared to 27 last week. There were 161 Oregonians hospitalized.
  • Of 45,978 cases, 34,719 (75.5%) reported having signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

The continued increase in cases means we should all be reconsidering our usual holiday plans over the next two months. We know the formula for preventing the spread, and we know the risk factors that can lead to case counts, hospitalizations and deaths dramatically increasing.

If you live in Multnomah County and need to get tested, there is no-cost testing by appointment for anyone with symptoms or anyone who has had recent close contact with a person with COVID-19. You can call 503-988-8939 for an appointment at the following locations:

  • East County Health Center (parking lot), 600 NE 8th St., Gresham, Mondays and Thursdays, 9:00 am - 3:45 pm.
  • Latino Network, Rockwood Office, 312 SE 165th Ave., Portland, Saturdays, 9:00 am - 3:45 pm.
  • Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization, 10301 NE Glisan Street, Portland, Saturdays, 12 pm - 6 pm.

Limited testing may be available for people without symptoms, and the county focuses on reaching Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color communities, people without health insurance, and people without a regular health care provider.

The rising case counts are why state epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger told Willamette Week here that bigger family holiday meals should happen virtually. When we’re with our family and friends indoors, we’re more likely to let our guard down and risk spreading the virus.


Taking Care of Your Mental Wellness

Changing up holiday plans is yet another difficult thing we all have to consider. If things are just getting to be too much, please remember that there are resources out there if you need someone to talk to.

If you want someone to talk to, the David Romprey Oregon Warmline is available every day from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 1-800-698-2392. 

You can also 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. More resources are available on the Safe + Strong mental and emotional health page.

And, here’s that helpful list again of ways to take care of yourself:

  • Take breaks from watching, reading or listening to news when you are able.
  • Try to do something you enjoy.
  • Take care of your body by eating well, exercising and getting plenty of sleep. 
  • Make time to unwind. Remind yourself that strong feelings will fade. 
  • Check in with your community (neighbors, family, friends, etc.) if you are able. 
  • Keep a sense of hope.
  • Connect with others. 

Here For Each Other

Food Security and Farmworker Safety Program Deadline

Oregon set up the Food Security and Farmworker Safety Program to help Oregon's agricultural producers meet the need to protect the food supply chain during the pandemic and protect essential agricultural workers from COVID-19 exposure and illness. The program is funded through time-limited federal funds, and this is the final week to apply for reimbursement for certain COVID-19 related costs.

Applications will be accepted until midnight tomorrow, Friday, November 6. Applicants have until Monday, November 16 to submit all the paperwork for eligible expenses. The program offers financial assistance to farmers and ranchers who meet the OR-OSHA temporary rule requirements.

For more information, you can call 503-986-0058 or visit the FSFS website to apply.


FRAUD ALERT: Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

The Oregon Employment Department has issued a fraud alert for people applying for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and other benefits.

Please watch out for any phishing or spoofing attempts from scammers claiming to be from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). These attempts can come through email or text message, or by phone. The U.S. Department of Labor will never ask you to provide personal information to them for these benefits.


Risks of Flash Floods and Mudslides

The aftermath of wildfires is full of challenges. One of them is the impact on the natural terrain. Oregon Public Broadcasting reported here about the risks of potential mudslides and floods due to heavy rain on burned areas around Clackamas County.

As the Oregon Department of Forestry has said, burned ground cover and soil can prevent rain from getting absorbed into the ground soil, which increases the risk of flash floods and mudslides. This extends to areas not traditionally flood prone.

If flooding occurs, and you are in an evacuation zone, heed warnings and follow official
recommendations without delay. You can contact a floodplain management and insurance specialist directly at FEMA-R-10-MIT@fema.dhs.gov with any questions.

The Oregon Office of Emergency Management has the latest details on wildfire response and recovery here.


Disaster Loans for Homeowners, Renters, Business Owners

In addition to individual assistance from FEMA, wildfire survivors in Oregon may also apply for low-interest disaster loans from the federal Small Business Administration (SBA). After insurance, an SBA low-interest disaster loan is the primary source of funds for property repairs and for replacing contents destroyed during the recent Oregon wildfires.

To date, more than $30 million in disaster loans have been approved for homeowners, renters and businesses affected by Oregon wildfires. The deadline to apply for a business or home disaster loan is Monday, November 16. The application filing deadline for an economic injury loan is June 15, 2021.

Below are the types of disaster loans available from the SBA:

  • Business Physical Disaster Loans – Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.
  • Home Disaster Loans – Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles. These loans can even be used to pay insurance deductibles.
  • Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.

If the SBA determines you are eligible for a loan, you don’t have to accept it, but you should complete the loan application as soon as possible to keep your recovery options open. Those who submit an SBA application and are not approved for a loan may be considered for additional FEMA assistance such as personal property replacement, disaster-caused vehicle repair, or moving and storage fees.

Through the SBA, homeowners may be eligible for a disaster loan up to $200,000 for primary residence structural repairs or rebuilding. The SBA may also be able to help homeowners and renters with up to $40,000 to replace important personal property, including automobiles damaged or destroyed in the disaster.If the SBA determines you are eligible for a loan, you don’t have to accept it, but you should complete the loan application as soon as possible to keep your recovery options open. Those who submit an SBA application and are not approved for a loan may be considered for additional FEMA assistance such as personal property replacement, disaster-caused vehicle repair, or moving and storage fees.

The SBA can also help businesses and private nonprofit organizations with up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and other business assets. Eligible small businesses and nonprofits can apply for economic injury disaster loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.

To apply for an SBA low-interest disaster loan:

  • Complete an online application at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. To reach an SBA Customer Service Representative directly call 800-659-2955. Email questions to FOCWAssistance@sba.gov.  For more information, visit sba.gov/disaster.
  • Those who have uninsured or underinsured losses can apply with FEMA in one of three ways: online at disasterassistance.gov, via the FEMA app, or call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585).

The Latest News

  • The Oregon Health Authority reported 805 new confirmed cases of coronavirus, bringing the statewide total of new and presumptive cases to 47,839. The OHA also reported five more deaths, meaning 710 Oregonians have died of the coronavirus. On Wednesday, the OHA recorded 597 cases and four deaths. You can click the images below for links to interactive data tables about coronavirus in Oregon.

OHA COVID-19 Update 110520

OHA COVID-19 Epi Curve 110520

OHA COVID-19 County Map 110520

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