On Wednesday, October 13, 2021, at approximately 11:00 A.M., Albany Police detectives developed information on the location of a subject wanted in connection with the shooting of Joshua Johnston-Partain that occurred on Sunday, October 10, 2021, at Timber Linn Park in Albany. 

Detectives from the Albany Police Department, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Corvallis Police, Oregon State Police, Linn Interagency Narcotics Enforcement team (LINE), and Lincoln City Police responded to Lincoln City to attempt to locate the subject. 

The subject was spotted as a passenger in a blue Pontiac G6 near the Lincoln City Outlet shopping facility.  Detectives followed the vehicle northeast on Highway 18 and then east on Highway 22 toward Salem.  Albany Police Detectives coordinated with other law enforcement agencies to intercept and conduct a high-risk traffic stop with the vehicle.

However, the vehicle stopped on its own, in the parking lot of the “Stop n’ Save Market” on Main Street in Rickreall, where Oregon State Police, Benton County Sheriff, LINE detectives and Salem Police contacted and detained the occupants in the vehicle without incident. 

Elijah Matthew Crump was arrested and transported to the Albany Police Department.  Crump was later lodged in the Linn County Jail on the following charges:

• Murder in the Second Degree
• Assault in the First Degree
• Unlawful Use of Weapon
• Menacing
• Criminal Conspiracy

Albany Police detectives are continuing the investigation and no further information will be released at this time.  Albany Police are asking anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Albany Police Detective Unit at 541-917-7686.

#  #  #

A joint meeting of the Board of Directors and Local Contract Review Board of Douglas County Fire District No. 2 will hold a Board meeting at DCFD#2 Fire Station 653 at 2830 Melrose Rd, Roseburg, OR on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.  Current State of Oregon regulations and mask measures will be enforced at public meetings.

The Board agenda to include but not limited to:                  

1. Monthly Financials
2. SDAO Board Practices Assessment Summary
3. HEARING - Public Contracting Rule Update
4. Resolution 03-2022
5. Annexation Requests
6. COVID Update

The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities.  A request for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting to DCFD #2 at 673-5503.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - It seems to make its rounds every few months. The phone rings, it is answered and the person on the other end of the telephone identifies themselves as a law enforcement officer and tells the person that they have missed jury duty, failed to pay some fines, or they have a warrant for their arrest. Eventually, the caller states it can be cleared up by paying fees or fines in the form of Western Union, pre-loaded debit cards or gift cards.  

HANG UP! IT IS A SCAM! 

The Sheriff's Office has been receiving calls from members of the community reporting they have received such calls from people claiming to work for the Sheriff's Office. Some names they are providing are actual names of Sheriff's Office staff members. 

It is critically important for our community to be aware of these tactics and to share them with their friends and family members, especially those who may be vulnerable to falling victim to the scams, such as the elderly members of the community. 

"It is important for retailers to inform their staff members about the scam and to ask them to be watchful for people who may be making the transactions in relation to the scam", said Lt. Brad O'Dell. Posting information about these scam tactics at cash registers or check-out points may also be helpful.

Law Enforcement will not call people to let them know they have a warrant, rather they will make personal contact. 

If you believe you have fallen victim to this scam, please contact the Douglas County Sheriff's Office at 541-440-4471.

On Wednesday, October 13th, 2021, at approximately 11:00 AM, detectives with the Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team (DINT) arrested 52 year old Branden Mohr of Roseburg.  

Mohr was initially stopped with assistance from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office in the 3000 block of Happy Valley Road in Green.  A search of the vehicle revealed a concealed handgun as well as a large amount of suspected methamphetamine.  

A follow up search of Mohr's residence in the Wilbur area revealed more suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.  A total of approximately 164 grams of suspected methamphetamine were seized.  

Mohr was transported to the Douglas County Jail where he was lodged for the following crimes:

• Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine
• Attempted Delivery of Methamphetamine
• Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine
• Felon in Possession of a Firearm
• Parole Violation

On Tuesday, October 12th, 2021, at approximately 4:00 PM, detectives with the Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team (DINT) arrested 57 year old Cory Whitehill of Roseburg.  

Detectives served a search warrant on Whitehill's residence in the 200 block of Snowberry Road, in Melrose.  A search of the property revealed approximately a half pound of suspected methamphetamine, approximately 22 grams of suspected heroin, 14 illegal marijuana plants (beyond the legal limit), and two firearms.

Whitehill was lodged at the Douglas County Jail on the following charges:

• Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine
• Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine
• Unlawful Possession of Heroin
• Unlawful Delivery of Heroin
• Unlawful Possession of Marijuana
• Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana
• Felon in Possession of a Firearm (2 counts)

The Eugene Springfield Fire Department responded Thursday night to a report of a man stranded underneath the Frohnmayer Footbridge, also known as the Autzen Footbridge. The middle aged male was stuck up against a bridge pier.  First responding fire crews were able to lower the patient a life jacket and hot pack from a lowering rope. Water rescue team members responded with an inflatable rescue boat and able to access and rescue the patient.  The man was evaluated and treated on scene by medics and transported for further care at Riverbend Hospital. 

During Cybersecurity Awareness Month, observed each October, the FBI and its partner agencies remind you to do your part and #BeCyberSmart all year long.

As the premier cyber investigative agency, the FBI works to keep you safe online, but there are many simple steps you can take to help protect yourself and your family. If you do become a victim, contact us at the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov) to report online crime.

This week's focus is on cryptocurrency - what it is, how to use it and how to stay safe.

Q & A - Cryptocurrencies

Q: What is cryptocurrency? 

A: Cryptocurrency is a type of digital currency that you can use to buy goods or services, or invest. You use regular currency – such as the U.S. dollar – to buy these cryptocurrencies, some of which are called tokens, and then you can spend with vendors that accept them. There are thousands of different kinds of cryptocurrencies traded publicly. They are not yet fully regulated and are unsecured unlike the money in your traditional bank account. 

Q: What is the “blockchain” ? 

A: Blockchain is a digital ledger that tracks cryptocurrency transactions. Cryptocurrency transactions are processed in blocks, which are then added to the chain, hence the term blockchain. That ledger is maintained across many different computers around the world, which means the ledger is decentralized. This is one of the ways the blockchain works to keep the transactions secure.

Q: What is a digital wallet and key?

A: A “digital wallet” is the app or device where you can store your cryptocurrency. There is a “public key” – basically the address you can give to someone to send you a payment. The “private key” is a very long string of letters and numbers.  It acts as your password because you need it to access a wallet and remove currency.

Q: Is cryptocurrency legal?

A: Currently, cryptocurrency itself is perfectly legal to buy and use in the U.S. In fact, many mainstream companies are now accepting cryptocurrency for goods and services. What we are seeing, though, is an increase in bad actors who are using old style scams to steal this new-style virtual asset.  

Q: What kinds of scams are connected to cryptocurrency?

A: Any kind of traditional scam can take on a cryptocurrency twist. For instance, an extortionist contacts you to threaten you with the release of compromising photos. He demands that you send cryptocurrency. Same old scam, new way to pay. 

We also see cryptocurrency frequently used in romance scams. For instance, the victim is persuaded by the suspect to take cash from their bank account and put it into a cryptocurrency ATM kiosk. Once cryptocurrency is purchased from the cash it is sent to the suspect. It is a fast and easy way to send cryptocurrency across international borders.

From the investment side we often see victims promised fast and high returns on their investments. If an opportunity sounds too good to be true, it very likely is too good to be true. If someone is promising you fast returns on your investment, it is most often a scam.

Q: If I want to invest or use cryptocurrencies, how can I do so safely?

A: First, recognize that a cryptocurrency investment is like any other investment – it can go up or down. Buyer beware!

When it comes to fraudsters, though, there are some specific steps you can take: 

• Do your research. Look for reputable sources to explain how to buy it, how to trade it, and how to use it.
• Don’t respond to unsolicited offers or click on links you may receive through email, texts, or social media; and
• Never share your private key or seed phrase with anyone. That private key or seed phrase is all that is standing between you and someone trying to take your money.

Cryptocurrencies experienced an enormous growth over the last five years.  A lot of that growth has plateaued, but it appears the general public is trying to recreate that price boom so individuals can get rich with enormous and fast returns on investment.   

Q: What should I do if I become a cryptocurrency scam victim?
A: If you are the victim of a cryptocurrency or other type of cyber scam, make sure you report it to the FBI right away through our Internet Crime Complaint Center. Go to www.ic3.gov to submit that information.

###

Note to media: a video version of this Q & A is available for your use. It will be sent separately.

FBI agents have returned Leland Patrick Harper, age 60, to Portland to face multiple sex abuse charges in Multnomah County Circuit Court. The agents flew to Portugal over the weekend and returned with Harper late on Wednesday, October 13th.

This case, investigated by a Portland Police Detective on the FBI's Child Exploitation Task Force, is being prosecuted at the state level. A Multnomah County grand jury indicted Harper in January 2021 on the following charges:

     Using a child in a display of sexually explicit conduct - 16 counts
     Sex abuse (first degree) - 23 counts
     Unlawful sexual penetration (first degree) - 3 counts
     Sodomy (first degree) - 2 counts
     Luring a minor - 14 counts
     Encouraging child sex abuse (first degree) - 1 count

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided invaluable assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Harper to the United States. With DOJ's assistance, the FBI's Legal Attaché Office in Madrid coordinated with FBI Portland, the Department of State's U.S. Embassy in Lisbon, the Portuguese Policia Juidiciaria, and the Portuguese Polícia de Segurança Pública to facilitate Harper's extradition. Portuguese officials arrested Harper on a provisional arrest warrant on August 25, 2021. Following extradition proceedings, the local authorities released Harper to the FBI this week for transport back to Portland.

Harper was arraigned in Multnomah County Circuit Court on Thursday, October 14, 2021. He remains in jail on bail set at more than $11 million.

An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

For further details on this case, please contact the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office.

###

Note to media: U.S. Department of Justice regulations do not generally permit the FBI to release mug shots.

This statement is by a mother of one of the six survivors of the July 17, 2021, shooting that resulted in the death of Makayla Harris. Today, the FBI offered a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible in this mass shooting. (See previous press release at https://flashalert.net/id/FBIOregon/149288).

July 17, 2021, has forever changed me and my life and the lives of my daughter and her friends, and their families will never be the same. This is the day that took my daughter’s innocence away. Her life was violated when she was only doing what many young people do – hang out with friends. Out of the four young ladies that were hanging out that night together, three were shot and one of them lost their life. 

What my daughter and her friends had to go through that day I would never wish on my worst enemy. This was the day that her and her friends had to endure pain that, as a mother, I’ll `never be able to take away or mend the physical wounds that they will forever have.

This is the day that Makayla’s life was taken. I’ll never understand the intentions this individual or individuals had or why my baby girl and her friends had to be affected by such senseless actions, but one thing I do know is that it was not fair. They did not deserve any of this, and Makayla did not deserve to lose her life like this behind some stupidness.

As a mother, my heart bleeds for her family, and I don’t think a day will ever go by that I don’t ask “why?”  My family is forever scared, and my daughter has to live the rest of her life with these wounds.

As I try to make sense of it all, my head is at a loss, and my heart is heavy. I don’t think I’ll ever understand. Although finding who caused all this hurt won’t change the outcome. It will not bring Makayla back or remove the scars from these young ladies. 

Someone needs to be held accountable. Makayla will never be seen again on this earth because her life was taken too soon, and the other young women will never be the same because of that. Everyone has a conscience, and my prayer is that someone’s conscience will bring them to speak up for Makayla and the friends she was with that night whose lives have been forever affected by the events of this day.

###

On July 17, 2021, what’s believed to be a gang-involved shooting downtown resulted in the death of 18-year-old Makayla Harris. Six others were hurt. Today, the FBI is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Makayla's death.

Below is a statement by Makayla's mother, Felicia Martinez:

"Makayla Harris was senselessly taken away from me and her family on July 17, 2021. I send love and comfort to all the victims and their families who were also affected by this tragic night.

Makayla was beautiful, happy and recently graduated from high school. To the Community, my family and I are asking for continued privacy as we are grieving the loss of our beautiful Makayla. I am also asking anyone with information to come forward and speak with the detectives to help solve this senseless tragedy. 

I know someone out there knows who did this, please do the right thing and help hold the person or persons accountable for their actions. We deserve closure and Makayla who had her innocent life taken deserves justice.

I will not stop seeking justice for my baby girl Makayla Maree Harris. To the coward that took my baby from me, you will pay for what you did because I will not lay down, and I will never stop fighting for my baby girl. Thank you, Felicia.”

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the murder of Makayla Maree Harris. This is in addition to the previously offered reward of up to $2,500 from Crime Stoppers of Oregon.

At approximately 2:00 a.m., on July 17, 2021, Portland Police officers responded to reports of a mass shooting in the 300 block of SW Third Avenue between Harvey Milk and Washington streets in Portland. When they arrived, they found seven people wounded by gunfire. Ms. Harris, 18 years old, died after being transported to the hospital. It is believed that Makayla was an unintended target in a gang-related shooting. 

The shooters fired from a car in the street before it sped away. It is also believed that many potential witnesses ran off after the shooting and may not have provided information to investigators. 

“Innocent people pay a heavy price when violent criminal gangs battle on our streets. Those clashes – facilitated by the constant buying, selling, trading, and stealing of weapons – have helped to drive the homicide rate in Portland to record highs,” said Kieran L. Ramsey, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon. “Despite this, law enforcement often finds that those who have information about these cases are reluctant to come forward. Whether it is distrust of law enforcement or fear of retaliation, the result is the same - the killings continue. We need help to stop this cycle of violence, and we ask anyone with information to find the will to come forward.”

If anyone has information, witnessed any part of what happened, or has video of anything that happened prior to, during, or after the shooting, they are asked to contact PPB by emailing crimetips@portlandoregon.gov or contacting the FBI at 1 (800) CALL-FBI or at tips.fbi.gov.

The FBI “Seeking Information” and reward poster for the Makayla Harris case can be downloaded from here: https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/makayla-maree-harris

###

October is #CybersecurityAwareness Month. During this time, the FBI reminds everyone to #BeCyberAware! In honor of this recognition, today's Tech Tuesday report will focus on one of the most important things people can do to stay safe: Avoid the Click!

Welcome to the Oregon FBI’s Tech Tuesday segment. Today: Building a digital defense against the click.

You’ve heard it time and again – DON’T click on that link! Whether it came by text, email, or a social media post, that link could cause you endless grief.

That link is part of what’s called a phishing scam – phishing with a “ph”. Scam artists need you to click on the link so they can download malware onto your device or trick you into logging into what you think is a legitimate website. In seconds, you have now given them access to your phone or laptop AND the user ID and password to your bank account.

Why do you click? That part of the scam is called social engineering. The bad actor’s goal is to generate extreme fear or happiness in you – or maybe even just a strong sense of curiosity. He just needs you to act before you think.

For instance – you receive a text with a link claiming to be a video of you. It could be innocent enough (you were eating!) or distressing (you were caught naked or in an otherwise compromising act). You really, REALLY, want to see what that video shows. (See attached image.) Don’t fall for it and certainly don’t click!

Here are some helpful hints on how to stay safe, thanks to our partners at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC):

• Don’t respond to calls or texts from unknown or suspicious numbers.
• Never share your personal or financial information via email, by text message, or over the phone.
• Be cautious if you're being pressured to share any information or make a payment immediately.
• Remember that government agencies will never call you to ask for personal information or money.
• Most importantly – don’t click any links in a text message. If a friend sends you a text with a suspicious link that seems out of character, call them to make sure they weren't hacked.

If you are the victim of an online scam, you should report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov or call your FBI local office.  

###

UPDATE: If you use photos credit KDRV Newswatch 12.

JCSO Case #21-5405

MEDFORD, Ore. – Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) detectives served a search warrant on a marijuana processing facility and grow site Wednesday morning. The property, located on the 3000 block of South Stage Rd. in Medford, included two large warehouses and field containing 3,900 lbs. of processed marijuana and 17,500 illegal marijuana plants. 

This case was the result of a several months long investigation of an illegal/black market marijuana processing and distribution organization.  Overall, 26 migrant workers were taken into custody, interviewed, and released at the scene. The primary suspect was not on the property at the time the warrant was served but will be contacted at a later date and charged criminally.  

In addition to the criminal investigation, Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA), Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Jackson County Code Enforcement responded to the scene to conduct independent investigations. There was no licensing for any type of cannabis growing, handling, or processing at this location. Each agency identified multiple violations that will be addressed by enforcing penalties and fines. 

While regulatory agencies investigate permitted cannabis operations, IMET is focusing on the black-market marijuana trade in the Rogue Valley. IMET is a multi-agency task force funded by a grant from the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission. The task force includes personnel from Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO), Medford Police Department (MPD), and the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office. Detectives from Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement (MADGE), officers from the MPD Livability Team, and JCSO deputies assisted with the operation. 

Investigations are open and ongoing with detectives working additional leads. No further information is currently available for release.

###

McKenzie Helena Xiarhos has been located safe and is back home.  We want to thank the community for their assistance and support.

Lincoln City Police assisted Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital as they conducted an armed intruder training drill which was held on Tuesday, Oct. 12, at Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital medical campus. The realistic drill was a valuable learning experience for involved staff, who were coached by observers on the appropriate responses to take. Although hospital and clinic staff were notified in advance of the drill, they did not know the frightening details, which are described below courtesy of Mary Jo Kerlin, SHS Communications Strategist.

In the scenario, an angry man entered Samaritan Lincoln City Medical Center at about 11 a.m. demanding to see a doctor who no longer works there. He stormed through the back offices of the clinic waving a (fake) gun, screaming the doctor’s name. As he exited the clinic, he said he was going to the hospital to shoot the first doctor he finds. When he arrived at the hospital, an alert had already been sounded and all staff and visitors were well hidden from sight. He pounded on the glass at the emergency registration desk, paced up and down the public hallways waving his (fake) gun for a couple minutes, and then yelled that he would shoot the first doctor he found in the parking lot. The angry man exited the hospital and began pacing out front while screaming obscenities and waving his (fake) gun. Meanwhile, Lincoln City Police Officers had been dispatched after clinic staff called 9-1-1 and set off the panic alert. Following their approved police protocols, they confronted the arm man outside the building, ordering him to put down his weapon. The man did not comply and aimed his (fake) gun at the officers, who then eliminated the threat with their weapons that, for this scenario, were also fake.

Even though this was just drill and the guns were fake, the angry man, portrayed by SNLH Medical/Surgical Nurse Bryan Sadler, was extremely convincing. In fact, after the drill he returned to the clinic to formally introduce himself and apologize for frightening them.

LCPD Sgt. Torin Liden and LCPD Officer KC Claunts portrayed the responding officers while other LCPD personnel observed the drill and acted as safety officers. The drill was organized by Mike Bowman, hospital emergency preparedness coordinator, and had LCPD personnel assisting in partnership to help make the drill as realistic as possible while keeping everyone’s safety the number one priority. Lesson learned from the successful drill will help to refine future protocols.

Submitted by:  Lieutenant Jeffrey Winn

Lincoln City Police assisted Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital as they conducted an armed intruder training drill which was held on Tuesday, Oct. 12, at Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital medical campus. The realistic drill was a valuable learning experience for involved staff, who were coached by observers on the appropriate responses to take. Although hospital and clinic staff were notified in advance of the drill, they did not know the frightening details, which are described below courtesy of Mary Jo Kerlin, SHS Communications Strategist.

In the scenario, an angry man entered Samaritan Lincoln City Medical Center at about 11 a.m. demanding to see a doctor who no longer works there. He stormed through the back offices of the clinic waving a (fake) gun, screaming the doctor’s name. As he exited the clinic, he said he was going to the hospital to shoot the first doctor he finds. When he arrived at the hospital, an alert had already been sounded and all staff and visitors were well hidden from sight. He pounded on the glass at the emergency registration desk, paced up and down the public hallways waving his (fake) gun for a couple minutes, and then yelled that he would shoot the first doctor he found in the parking lot. The angry man exited the hospital and began pacing out front while screaming obscenities and waving his (fake) gun. Meanwhile, Lincoln City Police Officers had been dispatched after clinic staff called 9-1-1 and set off the panic alert. Following their approved police protocols, they confronted the arm man outside the building, ordering him to put down his weapon. The man did not comply and aimed his (fake) gun at the officers, who then eliminated the threat with their weapons that, for this scenario, were also fake.

Even though this was just drill and the guns were fake, the angry man, portrayed by SNLH Medical/Surgical Nurse Bryan Sadler, was extremely convincing. In fact, after the drill he returned to the clinic to formally introduce himself and apologize for frightening them.

LCPD Sgt. Torin Liden and LCPD Officer KC Claunts portrayed the responding officers while other LCPD personnel observed the drill and acted as safety officers. The drill was organized by Mike Bowman, hospital emergency preparedness coordinator, and had LCPD personnel assisting in partnership to help make the drill as realistic as possible while keeping everyone’s safety the number one priority. Lesson learned from the successful drill will help to refine future protocols.

Submitted by:  Lieutenant Jeffrey Winn

Lincoln City Police assisted Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital as they conducted an armed intruder training drill which was held on Tuesday, Oct. 12, at Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital medical campus. The realistic drill was a valuable learning experience for involved staff, who were coached by observers on the appropriate responses to take. Although hospital and clinic staff were notified in advance of the drill, they did not know the frightening details, which are described below courtesy of Mary Jo Kerlin, SHS Communications Strategist.

In the scenario, an angry man entered Samaritan Lincoln City Medical Center at about 11 a.m. demanding to see a doctor who no longer works there. He stormed through the back offices of the clinic waving a (fake) gun, screaming the doctor’s name. As he exited the clinic, he said he was going to the hospital to shoot the first doctor he finds. When he arrived at the hospital, an alert had already been sounded and all staff and visitors were well hidden from sight. He pounded on the glass at the emergency registration desk, paced up and down the public hallways waving his (fake) gun for a couple minutes, and then yelled that he would shoot the first doctor he found in the parking lot. The angry man exited the hospital and began pacing out front while screaming obscenities and waving his (fake) gun. Meanwhile, Lincoln City Police Officers had been dispatched after clinic staff called 9-1-1 and set off the panic alert. Following their approved police protocols, they confronted the arm man outside the building, ordering him to put down his weapon. The man did not comply and aimed his (fake) gun at the officers, who then eliminated the threat with their weapons that, for this scenario, were also fake.

Even though this was just drill and the guns were fake, the angry man, portrayed by SNLH Medical/Surgical Nurse Bryan Sadler, was extremely convincing. In fact, after the drill he returned to the clinic to formally introduce himself and apologize for frightening them.

LCPD Sgt. Torin Liden and LCPD Officer KC Claunts portrayed the responding officers while other LCPD personnel observed the drill and acted as safety officers. The drill was organized by Mike Bowman, hospital emergency preparedness coordinator, and had LCPD personnel assisting in partnership to help make the drill as realistic as possible while keeping everyone’s safety the number one priority. Lesson learned from the successful drill will help to refine future protocols.

Submitted by:  Lieutenant Jeffrey Winn

  TIP OF THE WEEK

Date:         October 15, 2021                 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:     Sheriff Curtis L. Landers

                  (541) 265-0652

                  lcsheriff@co.lincoln.or.us

EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI PREPAREDNESS

October is Tsunami Preparedness Month and the perfect opportunity to talk about earthquake and tsunami readiness.

Prepare for the Next Earthquake or Tsunami
Government agencies and other emergency organizations cannot protect you from the next earthquake or tsunami. Even under the best of circumstances, medical aid or public safety officials may not be able to reach you for hours, days, or even weeks. It is our responsibility as individuals, neighborhoods and communities to reduce risks, to prepare for the critical period immediately after the earthquake, and to make sure that planning for earthquakes and tsunamis has the high priority it deserves. By becoming informed, we can take actions to protect ourselves, reduce losses, and recover quickly.

Earthquake Preparation – Cascadia Subduction Zone or On-Shore Earthquakes

• Anchor and secure appliances, furniture, glass objects, and art to wall studs and/or other furniture items.
• Know how to turn off water, gas and electricity and have the non-sparking tools to do so.
• Keep a bag next to your bed with shoes, extra glasses, gloves, poncho, flashlight or headlamp so you are ready to evacuate once the shaking stops.
• Have a 3-5 day kit in your car in case you need to use it as a place of shelter until the aftershocks subside.
• Participate and register for https://www.shakeout.org/oregon/ on October 21, 2021 at 10:21am – the world’s largest earthquake drill. Review these resources for businesses, organizations, and community members.

Earthquake Response – If you feel an earthquake

• Drop, cover, and hold on until after the shaking stops, then evacuate outside to survey damages to the building.
• If indoors, get under a sturdy table, hold on and be prepared to move with the table.
• If in bed, stay in the bed and protect your head with a pillow.
• If outdoors, find a clear spot away from buildings and trees and stay until the shaking stops.
• If in a vehicle, pull over to a clear location until shaking stops.
• Be ready for aftershocks that could last for days after the main shock.

Tsunami Preparedness and Response

A tsunami is a series of sea waves, usually caused by a displacement of ocean floor by an undersea earthquake. As tsunamis enter shallow water near land, they increase in height and can cause great loss of life and property damage. 

• When at the coast, know the distant and local tsunami evacuation routes. Look for educational signs at beach entry areas and tsunami assembly area points.
• A Distant Tsunami will take 4 or more hours to come on shore and you will feel no earthquake. The tsunami will generally be smaller than that from a local earthquake. Typically, there is time for an official warning from our Lincoln County Lincoln Alerts and the National Warning Center to evacuate to safety.
• A Local Tsunami can come on shore within 15-20 minutes after the earthquake and before there is time for an official warning from the national warning system. Ground shaking may be the only warning you have, so evacuate quickly to high ground out of the local tsunami zone.
• Do not return until emergency officials have advised that it is safe to return.

Resources
 

Great Oregon ShakeOut:

• Registration & General Information
• Recommended Earthquake Safety Actions
• Earthquake Guide for People with Disabilities

Lincoln County Emergency Management 

• Hazards: Earthquakes
• Hazards: Tsunamis
• Main page
  Ready.gov
• Earthquakes
• Tsunamis

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• Preparing for an earthquake
• Tsunamis

Red Cross

• Earthquake Safety

For more information and tips, visit our website at www.lincolncountysheriff.net and Like us on Facebook at Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office – Oregon.

On October 9th, 2021 at about 6:50 pm, Lincoln County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to the report of a vehicle crash on the USFS 500 road East of the City of Siletz. It was reported at that time that the crashed vehicle was on fire, and that the single occupant was still in the vehicle. The USFS 500 is a gravel forest management roadway open to public access.

Upon arrival deputies observed a Toyota Tacoma resting on its side in the gravel roadway, the vehicle was engulfed in flames at that time.

Responding units from the Siletz Fire District subsequently extinguished the fire.

The driver, and only occupant of the vehicle at the time of the crash, 42 year old Siletz resident Chad Edward Goodell was pronounced dead at the scene.

Evidence at the scene indicated that Mr Goodell was travelling at a high rate of speed when he lost control of the vehicle on the gravel roadway. 

Next of kin notifications completed. 

Undersheriff Michelle Duncan reports that Detectives have learned new information regarding the unidentified human remains recovered in April of 2020.  These remains were found near Gordon Road, east of Sweet Home. Linn County Detectives, working in conjunction with the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office, have utilized a private forensic DNA service called Parabon Nanolabs to help determine more about what the unidentified female may have looked like. According to analysis completed by Parabon, the remains likely belong to a white adult female with light brown/blonde hair (natural hair color), fair skin, green or hazel eyes, and zero or few freckles. An updated composite sketch of the unidentified deceased woman has been developed based on this new information, and additional DNA analysis is ongoing in attempt to identify her.

The female was found wearing a purple, Apana brand, full-zip athletic jacket (Size XS), a green BKE Core brand camisole with spaghetti straps, a Victoria’s Secret heather gray front-zip sports bra, a black fabric bandanna, Wrangler’s brand blue denim jeans with crystal decorations on the pockets (Size 5/6 x 32) and black Steve Madden brand dress boots (Size 9.5)

Linn County Detectives have received over one hundred tips regarding this investigation, but thus far the identity of the female, as well as her cause and manner of death, are still undetermined. If you have information regarding the unidentified female, please contact Detective Colin Pyle at 541-967-3950.  

ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE:

Linn County Undersheriff Paul Timm reports that his Detectives and the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office have continued to investigate the human remains found near Gordon Road on April 3, 2020.  Detectives and the Medical Examiner’s Office have tentatively identified the remains as belonging to a white female between the ages of 30 and 50-years-old at the time of her death. Additionally, the female is believed to have short, wavy brown hair.

Marion County Sheriff’s Office is releasing the following information pursuant to ORS163A.215, which authorizes Community Corrections to inform the public when the release of information will enhance public safety and protection.

The individual who appears on this notification has been convicted of a sex offense that requires registration with the Sheriff’s Office. Additionally, this person’s criminal history places them in a classification level which reflects the potential to re-offend. This notification is not intended to increase fear; rather, it is our belief that an informed public is a safer public.

NAME: Kintz, Everett Wade 

SID#: 20178434 

DOB: 05/04/1992 

CURRENT AGE: 29 

RACE: W                    SEX: M 

HEIGHT: 6' 00''           WEIGHT: 150lbs 

HAIR: BRO                 EYES: BLUE

RESIDENCE: 650 LOCUST ST NE, SALEM, OR 97301

Everett Wade Kintz is on Post-Prison Supervision for the crimes of: Custodial Interference I and Unlawful Use of a Weapon

Kintz was granted supervision on: 09/17/2021

Supervision expiration date is: 09/16/2023

Special restrictions include:      [X] No weapons

               [X] No contact with minors 

               [X] No drugs or alcohol 

Other: Mr. Kintz’s victim pool includes teenage females known to him. 

On Saturday, October 16, 2021 at approximately 6:49 PM, Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a three-vehicle crash on Hwy 99E at Oak Grove Boulevard. 

Preliminary investigation revealed a northbound Chevy Trailblazer, operated by Angelina Sloan (43) of Portland, rear-ended a Toyota Yaris, operated by Terry Tomaszewski (59) of Milwaukie, that was stopped at a red light. The collision caused both vehicles to slide into the intersection where the Chevy Trailblazer also collided with a westbound Saturn SUV, operated by a 17-year-old female of Milwaukie, that was proceeding through the intersection on a green light. 

A passenger in the Toyota Yaris, Mary Ring (70) of Portland, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. Sloan, Tomaszewski and the 17-old driver were all taken to area hospitals for injuries. 

OSP was assisted by Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Clackamas County Fire Department and ODOT. 

On Thursday, October 14, 2021 at approximately 7:55 AM, Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a single vehicle crash on Highway 26 near milepost 152. 

Preliminary investigation revealed an eastbound Toyota Prius, operated by Janet Nevels (73) of Garden Valley, Idaho, drifted off the roadway, lost control and struck a concrete bridge structure. 

Nevels sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased.

Hwy 26 was closed from approximately 1 hour. 

OSP was assisted by Grant County Sheriff’s Department, John Day Police Department, Blue Mountain EMT’s, Mt. Vernon Fire Department and ODOT.

On October 14, 2021 at about 12:55 AM, Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a single vehicle crash on Highway 199 at mile post 15. 

Preliminary investigation revealed that a southbound Toyota Tundra crossed the northbound lane of travel and exited the roadway at a high rate of speed. The Toyota went up an embankment and rolled at least once before coming to rest on its top. The Toyota ignited and burned completely. 

The unidentified driver suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. 

Highway 199 was closed for approximately 3 hours.

OSP was assisted by the Josephine County Sheriff's Office, Rural Metro Fire, Oregon Department of Forestry and ODOT. 

On Monday, October 11th, 2021 at approximately 8:48 PM, Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a two-vehicle crash that was blocking Highway 126E near Leaburg at milepost 19. 

Preliminary investigation revealed that a Toyota 4-Runner, operated by Nathan Lee Langan (29) of Harrisburg, was traveling westbound and crossed into the oncoming lane striking an eastbound Ford F350 Pickup, operated by Richard Edwin Andrews (42) of Blue River. 

Langan sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. Andrews sustained minor injuries. 

Highway 126E was closed for approximately 3 hours. 

OSP was assisted by Lane County Sheriff's Office, ODOT and Mckenzie Fire.

PORTLAND, Ore. – More than 100 Airmen from the Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Wing have departed from the Portland Air National Guard Base en route to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, to conduct joint training with the U.S. Air Force’s new F-15EX Eagle II.

The Oregon Airmen traveling to Nellis A.F.B. are also bringing along up to seven Oregon F-15C model Eagles, and will spend the next two weeks supporting test and evaluation missions for the F-15EX while gaining operator and maintainer exposure to the new aircraft.

“This two week event provides a window into the future of 142nd Wing flying operations by introducing our Airmen to the F-15EX Eagle II,” said Colonel Aaron Mathena, 142nd Operations Group commander. “Their direct support of this flying test and evaluation brings that reality closer than ever, while taking advantage of unique training opportunities needed for today.”

The 142nd Wing, based in Portland, Oregon, is set to become the first operational flying unit in the Air Force to operate the F-15EX, which are slated to arrive in 2024.

-30-

About the 142nd Wing:

The Portland Air National Guard Base employs around 1,500 Airmen who provide an economic impact of nearly $500 million to the region. The 142nd Wing defends our homeland with F-15 Eagle fighter jets, guarding the Pacific Northwest skies from Northern California to the Canadian border, as part of Air Combat Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Their mission is to provide unequaled, mission-ready units to sustain combat aerospace superiority and peacetime tasking any time, any place in service to our nation, state and community.

Photo Caption:

An F-15EX Eagle II from the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, 53rd Wing, takes flight for the first time out of Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., April 26, 2021, prior to departure for Northern Edge 2021. The F-15EX brings next-generation combat technology to a highly successful fighter airframe that is capable of projecting power across multiple domains for the Joint Force. (U.S Air Force photo by 1st Lt Savanah Bray) 

WASHINGTON — Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland will be in Oregon this week to highlight investments the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal (BID) would make to tackle the climate crisis and strengthen resilience, including funding for wildland fire preparedness and response. The trip will also provide valuable opportunities for the Secretary to meet with Tribal leaders, local and elected officials, and federal firefighting personnel while visiting public lands managed by the Department.

On Thursday, Secretary Haaland and Senator Jeff Merkley will travel to Jackson County, Ore., to visit the site of the 2020 South Obenchain fire and highlight the Administration’s efforts to help better prepare communities and ecosystems against the threat of wildland fire.

On Friday, Secretary Haaland and Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley will travel to Warm Springs, Ore., to discuss how investments from the BID would help improve water infrastructure for local communities.

The following media opportunities will be held:

Thursday, October 14, 2021

11:00 AM PT Media availability to discuss wildland fire investments

Press: Open

Location: Jackson County, Oregon

Friday, October 15, 2021

11:30 AM PT Media availability to discuss BID investments in local communities

Press: Open

Location: Warm Springs, Oregon

About the U.S. Department of the Interior

The Department of the Interior (DOI) conserves and manages the Nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage for the benefit and enjoyment of the American people, provides scientific and other information about natural resources and natural hazards to address societal challenges and create opportunities for the American people, and honors the Nation’s trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated island communities to help them prosper.

PORTLAND, Ore.—A former resident of Milwaukie, Oregon pleaded guilty today in federal court for illegally exporting marijuana grown in Oregon to Georgia for resale and laundering the proceeds.

Dante Baldocchi, 29, currently a resident of Altadena, California, waived indictment and pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute marijuana and commit money laundering.

According to court documents, between January 2017 and June 2020, Baldocchi purchased marijuana in Oregon and arranged to have it shipped via freight to Georgia where he and others sold it to distributors in the Atlanta area and in North Carolina. Baldocchi and his associates shipped portions of the proceeds from Georgia back to Oregon in vacuum-sealed bags and other portions concealed in buckets of drywall spackle.

On June 9, 2020, a federal search warrant was executed on Baldocchi’s then-residence in Milwaukie. Investigators located more than 330 pounds of marijuana grown in Oregon.

On August 19, 2021, Baldocchi and an associate—Hunter Lacaden, 27, of Portland—were charged by criminal information with conspiring to distribute marijuana and commit money laundering.

Baldocchi faces a maximum sentence of 60 years in federal prison with a five-year mandatory minimum, a $5.5 million fine and four years of supervised release. He will be sentenced on January 6, 2022, before U.S. District Court Judge Michael H. Simon.

On September 21, 2021, Lacaden pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute marijuana. He will be sentenced on December 13, 2021.

Acting U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug of the District of Oregon made the announcement.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and IRS-Criminal Investigation with assistance from the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office and Portland Police Bureau. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia E. Jarrett is prosecuting the case.

# # #

DPSST APPLICANT REVIEW COMMITTEE

MEETING SCHEDULED

Notice of Regular Meeting

 The Applicant Review Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting at 1:00 p.m. October 27, 2021 at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon.

The Applicant Review Committee meeting will be live streamed on the DPSST Facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/DPSSTOregon

Agenda Items:

1. Introductions 

2. Approve September 15, 2021 Meeting Minutes 

3. Elizabeth Conway, DPSST No. 61899; Department of Corrections-Snake River Correctional Institution 

    Presented by Jordan James-Largent 

4. Alexander Barbion, DPSST No. 61897; Department of Corrections-Snake River Correctional Institution 

         Presented by Jordan James-Largent 

5. Ryan Healy, DPSST No. 62028; Department of Corrections-Coffee Creek Correctional Facility 

         Presented by Jordan James-Largent 

6. Inquiry Closure Memos – Information Only 

          Presented by Jordan James-Largent 

7. Next Applicant Review Committee Meeting – December 8, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. 

Administrative Announcement

This is a public meeting, subject to the public meeting law and it will be recorded. Deliberation of issues will only be conducted by Applicant Review Committee members unless permitted by the Chair. Individuals who engage in disruptive behavior that impedes official business will be asked to stop being disruptive or leave the meeting. Additional measures may be taken to have disruptive individuals removed if their continued presence poses a safety risk to the other persons in the room or makes it impossible to continue the meeting.

DPSST TELECOMMUNICATIONS POLICY COMMITTEE
MEETING SCHEDULED

Notice of Regular Meeting
The Telecommunications Policy Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting on November 3, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. in the Governor Victor G. Atiyeh Boardroom at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. For further information, please contact Shelby Alexander at (503) 378-2191.

The Telecommunications Policy Committee meeting will be live streamed on the DPSST Facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/DPSSTOregon

Agenda Items:

1. Introductions

2. Approve Minutes of February 3, 2021

3. Case Overview Presentation
   Presented by Marsha Morin

4. Administrative Closures Consent Agenda (The following items to be ratified by one vote)
    Presented by Melissa Lang

      A. Brandi Carballo; DPSST #37181 (Oregon State Police)
          Basic Telecommunicator and Basic Emergency Medical Dispatcher Certifications

      B. Kevin Dunham; DPSST #39255 (Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office)
          Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Telecommunicator Certifications and Basic
          Emergency Medical Dispatcher Certification

      C. Candise Jackson; DPSST #48084 (Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon)
          Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Telecommunicator Certifications and Basic
          Emergency Medical Dispatcher Certification

      D. Susan Miller; DPSST #22155 (Grants Pass Department of Public Safety)
          Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Telecommunicator Certifications and Basic
          Emergency Medical Dispatcher Certifications

      E. Andrea Sallee; DPSST #52092 (Frontier Regional 9-1-1)
          Basic Telecommunicator and Basic Emergency Medical Dispatcher Certifications

5.  Review of Arbitration/Certification Workgroup Recommendation
    Presented by Jennifer Howald
    Informational update, there is no vote required.

6. Proposed Rule Changes for OARs 259-008-0060 and 259-008-0064 – Defining CPR      
     Certification
    Presented by Jennifer Howald

7. Proposed Rule Changes for OAR 259-008-0015 – Background Investigations and 
    New Requirements per HB 2936
    Presented by Jennifer Howald

8. Committee Membership

9. Department Update

10. Director’s Update

11. Next Telecommunications Policy Committee Meeting: February 2, 2022 at    9:00am.

Administrative Announcement
This is a public meeting, subject to the public meeting law and it will be recorded. Deliberation of issues will only be conducted by Telecommunications Policy Committee members unless permitted by the Chair. Individuals who engage in disruptive behavior that impedes official business will be asked to stop being disruptive or leave the meeting. Additional measures may be taken to have disruptive individuals removed if their continued presence poses a safety risk to the other persons in the room or makes it impossible to continue the meeting.
 

(Salem) – Open enrollment begins today for Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans. 

Open enrollment for the 2022 Medicare plan year is from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, 2021.

Medicare plans and coverage for prescription drugs change each year, so it is important for Oregonians who are enrolled in Medicare to evaluate their plan options and make changes during open enrollment.

The Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) program with the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is available to help Oregonians understand their Medicare options and benefits, provide enrollment guidance and answer any questions related to Medicare benefits. 

"Medicare is a critical benefit for older adults and people with disabilities and navigating the options available can be confusing,” said Jane-Ellen Weidanz, ODHS Long Term Services and Supports Administrator. “When it comes to open enrollment, do not wait until the last minute. Take time to review your options and make choices as soon as you can. SHIBA is here to help Oregonians make the right choice for them.”

SHIBA provides trained counselors to educate and advocate for Oregonians with Medicare. Local SHIBA counselors and SHIBA’s 2022 Oregon Guide to Medicare Insurance Plans can be found by visiting SHIBA.Oregon.gov. 

###

Need to know 

• Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is awarded $18.2 million for a new project called Inclusive Career Advancement Program, or ICAP  
• The program will serve 500 people with disabilities, with intentional outreach being made to marginalized communities  
• Oregon’s 17 community colleges as well as workforce development partners across the state will participate 

(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Human Services’ Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is one of eight programs across the nation that has been awarded the Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) Program grant. VR received $18.2 million to plan, develop and implement the Inclusive Career Advancement Program (ICAP) project. 

“Thank you to our federal partners for seeing the potential in the ICAP project to increase access to career advancement for people with disabilities,” says Keith Ozols, VR Director. “We are excited to work with partners across the workforce development system to achieve equal economic opportunity for all.”  

ICAP will leverage Oregon’s current statewide network of career pathway services to advance educational and economic equity for people with disabilities, with intentional outreach and inclusion of marginalized communities. ICAP will braid the supports and services of VR, Self-Sufficiency Programs, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act workforce partners, and Oregon Commission for the Blind (OCB) with the three interrelated and foundational initiatives of Oregon’s 17 community colleges. These three initiatives are:  

• Career Pathways  
• SNAP Training and Employment Program  
• Pathways to Opportunities  

As a leader in these initiatives, Portland Community College (PCC) will serve as the intermediary between core partners and community colleges.  

This new project will serve 500 people with disabilities to help them get support and services needed to reach their career goals, advance in their career and ultimately reach their career potential. The project will be student-centered, evidence-based and reflect the latest research on workforce development. With equity at the forefront, VR will focus on doing intentional outreach to those who identify as Black, Indigenous or People of Color with disabilities about ICAP.  

Cornell University will evaluate the project’s implementation and performance to determine efficacy of ICAP practices and strategies. These findings will be shared nationally to expand access and opportunities for people with disabilities to enter and be supported in their career goals.  

###  

About Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation  

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is a program within the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) that assists Oregonians with disabilities to achieve, maintain and advance in employment and independence. VR uses a client centered approach to provide counseling, guidance, training, transitional services, job coaching and other individualized services to assist students, employers and all Oregonians with disabilities. Visit the ODHS VR website to learn more.    

October is Safe Sleep and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month. Oregon Health Authority estimates nearly 40 infants in the state die in their sleep each year. Some of these deaths are preventable. Recently enacted legislation banning the manufacturing and sale of crib-bumpers in the state hopes to make an impact, and a cross-agency workgroup is focused on educating caregivers. 

Oregon’s cross-agency safe sleep workgroup launched in 2020 and has been working to build strategies as well as legislation, such as the crib-bumper ban, to address these preventable deaths.  

“Anytime a child dies, it is a tragic event that impacts family, friends, and the broader community,” said Child Welfare Division Director Rebecca Jones Gaston. “As we are building up a system of prevention through the Child Welfare Division Vision for Transformation, if there is anything that can be done to stop a tragedy from happening in the first place, we want to make that a focus. Working with partners across systems creates better prevention education and we are honored to be part of this movement.” 

Why focus on crib bumpers? 

According to workgroup member and expert Dr. Ben Hoffman, a pediatrician and Medical Director of the Tom Sargent Safety Center at Oregon Health and Science University, regulations changed crib standards in 2011, which have made bumpers unnecessary. Now, crib slats are placed closer together to decrease the potential for strangulation.  

“Our research with mothers of infants has found that the primary reason that parents purchase crib bumpers are that they are cute and parents believe that the crib bumpers will prevent serious injury, largely from head trauma and limb entrapments,” Hoffman testified to the Legislature. But the death risk associated with bumpers is much higher. Dr. Hoffman also cited data in his testimony showing Oregon has a 50 percent higher rate of accidental suffocation deaths in infants than that of the overall U.S.   

Adding to the local efforts on community education, the Child Welfare Division has recently introduced newly enhanced safe sleep training and education for all staff, as well as a “self-study” publicly available for community partners working with families and infants.  

Some important tips for those caring for infants:  

Always put a baby on its back to sleep. 

Remove soft fluffy bedding, pillows, stuffed toys and bumper pads from your baby’s sleep area. 

Avoid placing your baby to sleep on soft things like couches or upholstered chairs, waterbeds, beanbag chairs, quilts or comforters. 

Avoid overheating or head-covering. 

Use a pacifier (to help decrease the risk of SIDS). 

If using alcohol or drugs, have a sober designated caregiver who can ensure the safety of infants in the household.  

If you smoke, do it outside as indoor smoke increases risks for infants. 

Caregiver exhaustion is normal when caring for infants. Many resources exist to help connect caregivers with support such as Relief Nurseries and the Parents Anonymous of Oregon® Parent Helpline at 503-258-4416. 

Contact 211info (call 211 or email help@211info.org) for additional resources around housing, health care, food and childcare. 

More information and safe sleep practices in multiple languages are available on the Doernbecher Safe Sleep webpage. 

The workgroup includes membership representing eight different family-serving agencies from across the state, including Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Department of Education, Oregon Department of Human Services Child Welfare Division, Multnomah County Public Health, Oregon Health and Science University, NW Portland Area Indian Health Board, Legacy Health and Early Learning Division. 

About the ODHS Child Welfare Division

The Oregon Department of Human Services, Child Welfare Division is committed to transforming itself to better support the individual needs of families and to best serve Oregon’s children and young people. Report child abuse to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233). This toll-free number allows you to report abuse of any child or adult to the Oregon Department of Human Services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

###

SALEM, Ore.—The Oregon Department of Forestry will host a virtual information session from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday October 25 for anyone who wants to learn more about forest restoration and mitigation grant programs funded by Senate Bill 762. 

The virtual event will include a presentation about development of the grant programs, review of key timelines, and time for questions and answers. Members of the public who want to provide more detailed input for consideration will have until 5 p.m. on Monday, November 1 to submit written comments to estoration@oregon.gov">odf.restoration@oregon.gov.  

The session will cover two sections of Senate Bill 762:

• implementation of a $20 million grant program focused on landscape-scale forest restoration and fuels reduction work to reduce wildfire risk; and
• implementation of a $5 million grant program for small forestland owners to reduce fuels and mitigate fire risk.

Discussion during the virtual session will be summarized and provided to advisory groups, along with any written comments received by the deadline, for consideration as they help staff finalize program implementation details.

The webinar can be accessed at https://odf.zoom.us/j/93013327128. It will also be recorded for later viewing and posted on the department’s YouTube channel. The public will have an opportunity to submit questions live during the webinar. 

Senate Bill 762 is comprehensive legislation passed with bipartisan support that will provide more than $220 million to help Oregon modernize and improve wildfire preparedness through three key strategies: creating fire-adapted communities, developing safe and effective response, and increasing the resiliency of Oregon's landscapes. The bill is the product of years of hard work by the Governor's Wildfire Council, the Legislature, and state agencies.

Additional information about Senate Bill 762 is available on ODF’s website.

Salem, Ore — Join the Oregon Department of Forestry at a virtual public presentation and information session at 1 p.m. Wednesday, October 27, to learn more about plans for recovery and restoration in the vicinity of the Shellburg Falls Recreation Area in the Santiam State Forest due to impacts from the 2020 Labor Day fires.

ODF is proposing a plan to restore safe public access, protect sensitive environmental areas, remove dangerous trees along forest roads, and conduct a limited timber harvest as part of Phase 2 of ODF’s North Cascade Annual Operations Plan.

This meeting will be hosted via the Zoom platform, and a post-meeting recording will be posted to the ODF YouTube page.

Meeting link: https://odf.zoom.us/j/96225705653

Call-in information: 

• Dial 669-900-6833
• Meeting ID: 962 2570 5653

In addition to this public presentation, a public comment period will be held in early November.

Components of this project include:

• Robust protections for scenic areas and along waterways
• Ongoing repair and improvements to trails and recreational infrastructure
• Selective removal of dangerous trees alongside roadways and recreation areas
• A 14-acre post-fire timber harvest and replanting outside the viewshed of Shellburg Falls
• Underplanting in some no-harvest areas that are not showing significant signs of natural re-generation after the fires
• Identifying opportunities for education and interpretation in post-fire environments
• Post-fire environmental monitoring

More information: An ODF staff presentation to the State Forests Advisory Committee was given on September 16^th and can be viewed on YouTube.

SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Board of Forestry will hold a virtual special meeting starting at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 20. The meeting will be livestreamed on the department’s YouTube channel.

The agenda includes adoption of the proposed wildland-urban interface definition and a question-and-answer session with the final candidates for Oregon’s next state forester. The candidates will answer several questions submitted by the public. Written comments about what you would like to see in the next state forester generally or about the final candidates specifically can be submitted to oardofForestry@oregon.gov">BoardofForestry@oregon.gov until Oct. 25.

Starting at 5 p.m., the board will meet in executive session for the purpose of considering the employment of a chief executive officer, pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(h). The executive session will also be conducted virtually. Members of the news media who want to attend this portion of the meeting can email Public Affairs Director Joy Krawczyk at awczyk@oregon.gov">joy.p.krawczyk@oregon.gov for information.

Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services, or assistance can be arranged by calling ODF’s Public Affairs Office at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting at 503-945-7200 or by email at estryinformation@oregon.gov">forestryinformation@oregon.gov.

The Oregon Board of Forestry consists of seven citizens nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. Responsibilities include appointing the State Forester, setting management direction for state-owned forests, adopting rules governing timber harvest and other practices on private forestland, and promoting sustainable management of Oregon’s 30-million-acre forestland base. Read more information about the board.

SALEM, Ore. — The Committee for Family Forestlands will meet virtually Tuesday, Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. To join the virtual meeting, please use the Zoom video conference information found on the agenda. To provide public comment at this virtual meeting, please contact Susan Muniz at 503-945-7502.

The committee’s agenda includes:

• Private Forest Division update
• Review charter
• Work plan priorities
• Senate Bill 762 rulemaking and Partnership & Planning Program 
• Landowner assistance updates
• Post-fire recovery updates

The meeting is open to the public to attend online via Zoom. Public comments will be accepted near the start of the meeting after approval of the minutes. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 72 hours before the meeting by contacting Susan Muniz at 503-945-7502.

The 13-member committee researches policies that affect family forests, natural resources and forestry benefits. Based on its findings, the committee recommends actions to the Oregon Board of Forestry and the State Forester. View more information on the CFF webpage.

The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis (OEA) confirmed earlier this month a nearly $1.9 billion tax surplus, triggering a tax surplus credit, or “kicker,” for the 2021 tax year.

Instead of kicker checks, the surplus will be returned to taxpayers through a credit on their 2021 state personal income tax returns filed in 2022.

To calculate the amount of your credit, multiply your 2020 tax liability before any credits—line 22 on the 2020 Form OR-40—by 17.341 percent. This percentage is determined and certified by OEA. Taxpayers who claimed a credit for tax paid to another state would need to subtract the credit amount from their liability before calculating the credit.

A What’s My Kicker? calculator is active on Revenue’s website for personal income tax filers now. You can access the calculator from Revenue Online. To calculate your kicker, you’ll enter your name, Social Security Number, and filing status for 2020 and 2021.

You're eligible to claim the kicker if you filed a 2020 tax return and had tax due before credits. Even if you don't have a filing obligation for 2021, you still must file a 2021 tax return to claim your credit. There will be detailed information on how to claim your credit in the 2021 Oregon personal income tax return instructions: Form OR-40 for full-year Oregon residents, Form OR-40-P for part-year residents, and Form OR-40-N for nonresidents. Composite and fiduciary-income tax return filers are also eligible.

Keep in mind that the state may use all or part of your kicker to pay any state debt you owe, such as tax due for other years, child support, court fines, or school loans.

Free tax preparation services are available for low- to moderate-income taxpayers through AARP and CASH Oregon. United Way also offers free tax help through their MyFreeTaxes program.

There are free or low-cost preparation options available for both federal and Oregon tax returns. Some software companies offer free software use and e-filing for eligible taxpayers. Visit the Department of Revenue website to take advantage of the software and free offers and get more information about free tax preparation services.

Visit www.oregon.gov/dor to get tax forms, check the status of your refund, or make tax payments; call 800-356-4222 toll-free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish); 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon; or email questions.dor@oregon.gov. 

- 30 -
 

EPA Scientists Honored with Land Board Award 

SALEM, Ore. – The State Land Board today honored two scientists and public servants who have worked collaboratively with the state for decades to help protect Oregon’s wetlands and waters. 

Tracie-Lynn Nadeau and Yvonne Vallette of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Oregon Operations Office were recognized by Governor Kate Brown, State Treasurer Tobias Read, and Secretary of State Shemia Fagan during the 17th Annual Land Board Awards ceremony. 

“Tracie and Yvonne are extraordinary partners of the Department of State Lands whose dedication, leadership, and collaboration have shaped water and wetland protections in Oregon and beyond,” said Governor Kate Brown, who presented today’s award.

As a lead environmental scientist with the EPA, Tracie Nadeau’s passion for public service and scientifically informed decision making has shaped her career. 

“For decades, Tracie has encouraged using data to better understand, and more effectively protect, wetlands and waters,” said Governor Brown. 

Nadeau’s knack for identifying gaps in aquatic resource protections and seeking innovative solutions is paired with a collaborative approach with states, Tribes, and other partners that results in creation of practical tools for resource protection.

Two of those tools are currently being adapted for use in other states. Nadeau spearheaded development of the Streamflow Duration Assessment Method for Oregon, which helps DSL and other Oregon regulators clarify which waters are covered under the Federal Clean Water Act and determine best management practices. She was also instrumental in creating the Stream Function Assessment Method for Oregon, which helps assess how impacts to streams can be reduced and mitigated.

Nadeau’s work is centered, she said, in her commitment to public service. 

“What draws me to civil service is the soul of civil service,” she said. “There is little personal glory, and most people are unaware of what you are doing on their behalf. At the end of the day, if you make a commitment to serve the public you must always be thinking of those public needs, and the reward is meeting those needs.” 

Yvonne Vallette is an aquatic ecologist whose 35 years with the EPA have focused on teaming with states, Tribes, and local governments to develop programs that protect wetlands and other aquatic resources, that either enhance or help to address gaps in the federal Clean Water Act.

“This is my legacy, to do what I can to help bring people with similar needs together,” Vallette said. “Sometimes it may take a while for the stars to line up to bring the right interests together. But I’m always there looking to make those connections happen, helping to facilitate those partnerships, while making sure they get the resources they need to be successful.”

Her partnership over the years has helped connect DSL with the technical and financial support needed to develop a strong wetland program that complements federal requirements. With Vallette’s help, Oregon has been able to make significant strides toward the state’s “no net loss of wetlands” goal. Funding from the EPA has helped DSL develop better tools for tracking wetland restoration programs and changes to wetland and land use.

“Yvonne seeks to make permitting processes more efficient, without sacrificing natural resource protections,” said Governor Brown. “Her guidance has been instrumental in helping Oregon develop a robust wetland program that is a model for other states.” 

The Land Board Awards honor exceptional projects and partners for their contributions to protecting and enhancing Oregon’s treasured natural resources. Awarded for the first time in 2020, the Catalyst Award recognizes individual partners whose work supports stewardship of state lands and waters.

Learn more about this year’s award recipients on the Land Board Awards website or view the awards ceremony on the DSL YouTube Channel.

View images of the recipients of the 17th Land Board Awards.

###

About the State Land Board

The State Land Board consists of Governor Kate Brown, Secretary of State Shemia Fagan and State Treasurer Tobias Read. Established by the Oregon Constitution in 1859, the Land Board oversees the state’s Common School Fund. 

About the Department of State Lands

The Department of State Lands is the Land Board’s administrative agency, managing the lands and resources that help fund Oregon’s public schools and protecting the state’s waterways and wetlands for the many benefits they provide. For more information on DSL, visit www.oregon.gov/DSL. 

Oregon Tide Gate Partnership Recognized with Land Board Award

SALEM, Ore. – A collaborative endeavor to fix Oregon’s aging tide gates was honored today by the State Land Board during the 17^th Annual Land Board Awards.

Governor Kate Brown, Treasurer Tobias Read, and Secretary of State Shemia Fagan recognized the Oregon Tide Gate Partnership for creative problem solving to repair and replace tide gates along the coast.

Tide gates keep farm fields, roads, and other areas dry and protected from flooding by letting freshwater out during low tides and preventing water from entering during high tides. Salmon and other migrating fish are able to swim through the tide gates when properly functioning. But improperly functioning tide gates can impact infrastructure, water quality, and wildlife.

“When tide gates work well, everyone benefits,” said Secretary Fagan, who presented today’s award. “This collaborative effort by many partners helps ensure Oregon’s tide gates will keep protecting communities and natural resources.”

Oregon has more than 1,000 tide gates, many of which need repair or replacement in order to function properly.

The Partnership has brought together a diverse group of interests dedicated to identifying barriers and solutions for updating tide gates. Partners include coastal counties, watershed boards, conservation groups, farming and ranching associations, Tribes, and federal and state agencies. The collaboration is coordinated by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board.

“The Tide Gate Partnership exemplifies the ‘Oregon Way’” said Meta Loftsgaarden, former Executive Director of OWEB. “Individuals and groups with different perspectives are coming together, rolling up their sleeves and solving wicked problems in new and innovative ways.”

To date, the Partnership has developed an inventory of Oregon’s tide gates, established funding and engineering resources for landowners, and created planning tools to help communities plan and prioritize projects. Regulatory agencies are also working to coordinate the permitting process for tide gate repairs or replacements. 

“Now that those resources are built, it feels like we’re finally at the starting line,” said Jillian McCarthy, Tide Gate Coordinator with OWEB. “The next year will focus on testing the tools, making refinements, and working together to complete projects on-the-ground.” 

The Land Board Awards honor exceptional projects and partners for their contributions to protecting and enhancing Oregon’s treasured natural resources. Learn more about this year’s recipients on the Land Board Awards website or view the awards ceremony on the Department of State Lands YouTube Channel.

View images of the recipients of the 17th Land Board Awards.

###

About the State Land Board

The State Land Board consists of Governor Kate Brown, Secretary of State Shemia Fagan and State Treasurer Tobias Read. Established by the Oregon Constitution in 1859, the Land Board oversees the state’s Common School Fund. 

About the Department of State Lands

The Department of State Lands is the Land Board’s administrative agency, managing the lands and resources that help fund Oregon’s public schools and protecting the state’s waterways and wetlands for the many benefits they provide. For more information on DSL, visit www.oregon.gov/DSL. 

State Land Board Recognizes Jackson-Frazier Wetland Restoration 

CORVALLIS, Ore. – The State Land Board today honored the revitalization of a once-damaged wetland in Corvallis.

The multi-year project that restored water flow and native species at Jackson-Frazier Wetland was commended by Governor Kate Brown, State Treasurer Tobias Read, and Secretary of State Shemia Fagan during the 17^th Annual Land Board Awards ceremony. 

Work by project partners corrected years of damage to the valuable wetland, smoothing human-made ruts and mounds and adding subtle contours and depressions to support the wetland’s hydrology. Invasive reed canary grass was also removed, allowing native species to once more flourish and support wildlife.

The now-healthy wetland helps enhance water quality and retain floodwater to the benefit of the surrounding community, said Adam Stebbins, Natural Resources Coordinator with Benton County.

“To finally make right what was done back in the ‘80s and let that site reach its full potential again, that’s something to be proud of,” Stebbins said.

Invasive reed canary grass has decreased by 90 percent, allowing native plants like the threatened Bradshaw’s desert parsley and the endangered Nelson’s Checkermallow to reclaim the area. Migratory birds observed at the wetland have increased by 25 percent.

Visitors can visit the recovering wetland and learn about its benefits from an adjacent boardwalk.

“This project leaves a legacy,” said Treasurer Read, who presented the award. “The Jackson-Frazier Wetland now provides crucial benefits to the community, supports wildlife, and enhances learning and public recreation. These partners set a standard for what future restoration work can and should look like.”

Project partners included Benton County Natural Areas & Parks, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the City of Corvallis, and the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board.

The Land Board Awards honor exceptional projects and partners for their contributions to protecting and enhancing Oregon’s treasured natural resources. Learn more about this year’s recipients on the Land Board Awards website or view the awards ceremony on the DSL YouTube Channel.

View images of the recipients of the 17th Land Board Awards.

###

About the State Land Board

The State Land Board consists of Governor Kate Brown, Secretary of State Shemia Fagan and State Treasurer Tobias Read. Established by the Oregon Constitution in 1859, the Land Board oversees the state’s Common School Fund. 

About the Department of State Lands

The Department of State Lands is the Land Board’s administrative agency, managing the lands and resources that help fund Oregon’s public schools and protecting the state’s waterways and wetlands for the many benefits they provide. For more information on DSL, visit www.oregon.gov/DSL. 

Our next media briefing is scheduled for 1 p.m., Wed., Oct. 20.

Helping Oregonians Get Back to Work
WorkSource Oregon centers offer a variety of services to help Oregonians get back to work. The centers refer people to jobs, connect job seekers to resources that reduce barriers to returning to work, help people explore career options and training opportunities, assist with iMatchSkills® and work search requirements, and more. 

Last week’s Hiring Heroes for Healthcare statewide virtual job fair was a success, with more than 50 employers and 300 job seekers attending.

Here are just a few highlights of upcoming WorkSource Oregon events:

• WorkSource Oregon - Newport is hosting a job fair 1:30 -3:30 p.m., Wed., Oct. 20.
• Drive-thru job fair hiring events are scheduled Oct. 20-21 for job seekers in Clatskanie, Rainier and Vernonia.
• Walk’n’Talk in Hillsboro is focusing on manufacturing careers on Oct. 20 and Oct. 27 at the Hillsboro Brookwood Library.
• WorkSource Oregon is partnering with LinkedIn to host a profile workshop to help job seekers boost their online presence. From 9 – 10 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 21, LinkedIn expert Cecily Hastings will give job seekers tips and tricks to optimize their profile so employers come to them. Nearly 90% of recruiters use LinkedIn, and job seekers are hired two times faster on their site.

Economic Update

Last Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that U.S. employers added 194,000 jobs to nonfarm payrolls in September. That would have been a typical number of jobs to add in a month prior to the pandemic. However, that 194,000 was a slowdown from the 366,000 jobs U.S. employers added in August, and significantly lower than the nearly 1.1 million jobs added in July. Employers still have five million fewer jobs than before the pandemic recession.

Leisure and hospitality – which includes jobs at hotels, restaurants, bars, and entertainment places – added the most jobs (74,000) in September. Public K-12 schools and universities fell 161,000 jobs short of their typical hiring as they struggled to find enough workers as the school year started. Health care lost 18,000 jobs in September.

There are three broad parts of the health care sector. They include ambulatory health care services (such as doctor’s and health practitioners’ offices); hospitals; and nursing and residential care facilities. Nationwide, ambulatory health care services has recovered 99.7% (all but 4,700) of the jobs lost in the spring of 2020. At the same time, hospitals are still down 93,000 jobs compared to February 2020, having only regained 28% of jobs lost in the recession. Nursing and residential care facilities have generally continued to lose jobs since the pandemic began. The industry has 426,000 fewer jobs than it did before the recession.

Oregon has seen some similar trends in the health care sector. As of August, ambulatory care jobs had increased by 3,100 during the past year. Meanwhile, hospitals saw small gains (300 jobs) during the past year, and employment at nursing and residential care facilities dropped by 1,300 jobs.

While the pace of job growth has slowed in the U.S., the number of job openings remains near record highs. There were 10.4 million unfilled jobs nationwide at the end of August. The number of people who quit their jobs hit a new record high at 4.3 million, or almost 3% of the workforce. At hotels, bars, restaurants, and entertainment places, almost 7% of the workforce quit in August.

The Employment Department will release information about Oregon’s unemployment rate and jobs numbers for September next Tuesday, Oct. 19, at 10 a.m. Next week, we also expect to have our quarterly job vacancy release, with new information about job openings in Oregon from July to September.

Listening Sessions on Temporary Availability Rule

The first Listening Session to receive feedback on changes to the “available to work” requirements for people claiming unemployment insurance (UI) benefits is 2:30 – 4 p.m. this Thursday, Oct. 14. The department has scheduled six listening sessions for businesses, workers, community organizations, and others to give feedback on the new temporary rule before any permanent changes are made. All listening session dates and times are posted on the unemployment.oregon.gov webinar page. Visit our online Temporary Eligibility Rule FAQs for more information. 

Last week’s statistics

• Last week, we paid about $28 million in benefits to 30,000 Oregonians.
• $11 billion in benefits have been paid to more than 620,000 people from March 15, 2020 – October 9, 2021. 
• From Monday, Oct. 4 – Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, the Employment Department answered nearly 93% of calls in 15 minutes or less, meeting its July 1 goal. Of these, 74.9% were answered in under five minutes. 
• Nearly 97% of Contact Us inquiries were resolved in seven days or less. 

###

Equal Opportunity program — auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Contact: 971-673-6400. For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, call 711 Telecommunications Relay Services.

October 15, 2021

Contact: OHA External Relations, covid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us">orcovid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us

Oregon reports 1,218 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 20 new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — There are 20 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 4,161, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 1,218 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 348,766.

Newest COVID-19 modeling report projects decrease in daily cases and hospitalizations

Today, OHA released its latest COVID-19 forecast showing a continued decline in daily cases and hospitalizations through mid-October.

According to the report, the effective reproduction rate — the expected number of secondary cases that a single case generates — was estimated at 0.91 on Sept. 29, which is lower than last week’s projection.

At that level of transmission, the report estimates 300 cases per 100,000 people, or an average of 895 daily cases for the two-week period between Oct. 20 and Nov. 2. and 54 hospitalizations per day by Nov. 2.

The report also estimated the potential impact from the projected spread of the disease based on the average level of transmission from Sept. 23 through 29, which closely tracks the reported data during that week.

At that rate of transmission, new daily cases and hospitalizations are expected to decline more steeply, with an estimated average of 245 cases per 100,000 people, projecting an average of 740 new cases and 43 hospitalizations through Nov. 2.

The report also indicated that hospitals across the state are seeing declines in COVID-19 hospitalizations and declining COVID-19 intensive care admissions.

Vaccinations remain the most effective shield against COVID-19. Oregonians should wear masks when in indoor public spaces and when outdoors among crowds.

OHA enhances its monoclonal antibody therapy (mAb) webpage

COVID-19 cases can result in serious illness, hospitalizations and deaths. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapies can help prevent severe illness, save lives and reduce the burden on our hospitals and health systems. 

This therapy is available through shots or IV infusion, making it easier for providers to give and patients to get. The therapies can be used as treatment for confirmed positive patients and as prevention after a COVID-19 exposure.

This page has been further enhanced to update the weekly federal allocation table and provider requests as well as the providers that have been allocated mAb product weekly, since allocation decisions were transferred to the state.

Both will now be updated weekly.

Due to limitations in supply, OHA is working to equitably distribute the federal allocation.

COVID-19 hospitalizations

The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 563, which is 12 fewer than yesterday. There are 136 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is 10 fewer than yesterday.

There are 55 available adult ICU beds out of 684 total (8% availability) and 304 available adult non-ICU beds out of 4,082 (7% availability).

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.

Note: Please do not visit an emergency department for COVID-19 testing, unless you require emergency care for your symptoms.

Emergency departments in Oregon are under significant strain responding to the current surge in COVID-19. You can find a test here.  

If you have a medical condition that doesn’t require emergency care, contact your provider. An urgent care center may also help you get the care you need and will save emergency departments from added strain.  

More information about hospital capacity can be found here.

Vaccinations in Oregon

Today, OHA reported that 14,138 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations were added to the state immunization registry on Oct. 14. Of this total, 5,841 were administered on Oct. 14: 1,086 were initial doses; 1,049 were second doses and 3,666 were third doses and booster doses. The remaining 8,297 were administered on previous days but were entered into the vaccine registry on Oct. 14.

The seven-day running average is now 10,193 doses per day.

Oregon has now administered 3,156,158 doses of Pfizer Comirnaty, 1,927,927 doses of Moderna and 222,453 doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.

As of today, 2,781,985 people have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 2,566,802 people have completed a COVID-19 vaccine series.

These data are preliminary and subject to change.

Updated vaccination data are provided on Oregon’s COVID-19 data dashboards and have been updated today.

Cases and deaths

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (6), Benton (18), Clackamas (65), Clatsop (6), Columbia (17), Coos (29), Crook (45), Curry (2), Deschutes (88), Douglas (44), Grant (1), Harney (3), Hood River (5), Jackson (56), Jefferson (17), Josephine (23), Klamath (80), Lake (7), Lane (87), Lincoln (16), Linn (93), Malheur (32), Marion (125), Morrow (8), Multnomah (148), Polk (16), Sherman (1), Tillamook (5), Umatilla (28), Union (14), Wallowa (2), Wasco (17), Washington (88) and Yamhill (26).

Oregon’s 4,142nd COVID-19 related death is a 64-year-old man from Lane County who tested positive on Oct. 2 and died on Oct. 13 at McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,143rd COVID-19 related death is a 79-year-old man from Lane County who tested positive on Sept. 23 and died on Oct. 11 at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,144th COVID-19 related death is a 58-year-old man from Lane County who tested positive on Sept. 23 and died on Sept. 20 at his residence. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,145th COVID-19 related death is an 87-year-old woman from Deschutes County who tested positive on Sept. 29 and died on Oct. 4 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,146th COVID-19 related death is a 60-year-old woman from Clatsop County who tested positive on Oct. 6 and died on Oct. 8. Location of death and presence of underlying conditions are being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,147th COVID-19 related death is an 85-year-old woman from Clackamas County who tested positive on Oct. 13 and died on Oct. 14 at her residence. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,148th COVID-19 related death is a 46-year-old woman from Marion County who tested positive on Oct. 6 and died on Oct. 6 at her residence. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,149th COVID-19 related death is a 79-year-old woman from Marion County who tested positive on Sept. 16 and died on Oct. 3 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,150th COVID-19 related death is a 50-year-old woman from Linn County who tested positive on Sept. 18 and died on Sept. 25 at Oregon Health & Science University Hospital. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,151st COVID-19 related death is a 69-year-old woman from Lincoln County who tested positive on Sept. 13 and died on Oct. 6 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,152nd COVID-19 related death is a 91-year-old man from Lincoln County who tested positive on July 26 and died on Sept. 14 at his residence. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,153rd COVID-19 related death is a 65-year-old man from Yamhill County who tested positive on Oct. 3 and died on Oct. 13 at Providence Newberg Medical Center. He had no underlying conditions

Oregon’s 4,154th COVID-19 related death is a 78-year-old man from Washington County who tested positive on Sept. 9 and died on Sept. 20 at OHSU Hillsboro Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,155th COVID-19 related death is a 66-year-old woman from Umatilla County who tested positive on Oct. 4 and died on Oct. 7 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,156th COVID-19 related death is a 71-year-old woman from Umatilla County who tested positive on Sept. 22 and died on Sept. 25 at Providence Portland Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,157th COVID-19 related death is a 61-year-old woman from Umatilla County who tested positive on July 26 and died on Sept. 23 at her residence. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,158th COVID-19 related death is a 76-year-old man from Tillamook County who tested positive on Sept. 19 and died on Oct. 3 at his residence. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,159th COVID-19 related death is a 47-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive on Oct. 4 and died on Oct. 13 at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,160th COVID-19 related death is a 67-year-old woman from Multnomah County who tested positive on Sept. 28 and died on Oct. 14 at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,161st  COVID-19 related death is a 47-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive on Aug. 8 and died on Aug. 8 at Providence Portland Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations  

To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine situation in Oregon, visit our webpage (English or Spanish), which has a breakdown of distribution and other information.

October 15, 2021

Media contacts: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@dhsoha.state.or.us

State issues proposed decision on 60-bed Wilsonville psychiatric hospital

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) Certificate of Need program has issued a proposed decision to approve NEWCO Oregon Inc.’s certificate of need application for a 60-bed, free-standing psychiatric hospital to be located in Wilsonville.

The proposed decision on NEWCO’s application follows the Certificate of Need Program’s Aug. 26 draft recommendation to approve NEWCO’s application, and a Sept. 20 informal hearing to take testimony from the company and affected parties.

The proposed decision, like the draft recommendation, remains contingent upon NEWCO meeting certain conditions, including that the company must dedicate 45% of its bed capacity to serve persons committed under ORS 426.130, or a person in custody pursuant to ORS 426.232, 426.233, or in diversion pursuant to 426.237.

The benchmark will be evaluated on a quarterly basis, and the company may, at its discretion, dedicate beds within the 45% requirement to Medicaid recipients if there are not enough individuals who are committed, in custody or in diversion to fill them. This flexibility in the 45% requirement was not in the Aug. 26 draft recommendation.

The proposed decision also adds more clarity on a condition related to meeting and maintaining requirements as a Class 1 hospital, including that “hospital design, operations and staffing ensure its ability to serve the full range of psychiatric needs of individuals within the proposed service area.” It also requests more specificity in a requirement that the company notify OHA’s Behavioral Health Program within 12 hours if it is refusing care of patients who are committed, in custody or in diversion, or are Medicaid recipients; submitted information must now include patient-identifying information, the patient’s payor source, the patient’s presenting condition, and the reason for refusal of service.

Finally, the proposed decision includes additional data on the percent of patients boarded in hospital emergency departments who eventually are transferred to an inpatient unit.

NEWCO and affected parties have 60 days from the date of the proposed decision to request a contested case hearing. If a contested case hearing is not requested within 60 days – or by Dec. 10 – the proposed decision becomes the final order. If a contested case hearing is requested, the timeline extends until the hearing process is completed.

The Certificate of Need program, administered through the Health Care Regulation and Quality Improvement Section at OHA Public Health Division, is a standardized, regulatory program instituted in 1971. It arose out of the Oregon Legislature's desire to achieve reasonable access to quality health care at a reasonable cost. ORS 442 charges the program with reviewing proposals for new hospitals and nursing facilities to ensure health services are adequately distributed in the state without unnecessary duplication of services or excessive cost to patients.

For more information on the Certificate of Need program, visit www.healthoregon.org/cn.

####

Oct. 14, 2021

This news release is an updated version to include case and death information.

Contact: OHA External Relations, covid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us">orcovid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us

Oregon reports 1,237 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 24 new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — There are 24 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 4,141, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 1,237 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 347,616.

OHA releases new COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough report

OHA’s most recent update on COVID-19 breakthrough cases, released today, found that 72.8% of the 9,141 reported COVID-19 cases between Oct. 3 through Oct. 9, occurred in people who were unvaccinated.

There were 2,490 breakthrough cases, accounting for 27.2% of all cases.

The average age of the breakthrough cases during that period was 47. Sixty-five breakthrough cases involved residents of care facilities, senior living communities or other congregate care settings. There were 122 breakthrough cases in people ages 12 to 17.

To date, there have been 30,687 COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough cases in Oregon. The average age of all cases is 48. Breakthrough cases have been reported in all 36 counties.

Cases of COVID-19 are far more common in unvaccinated people. The report shows that the rate of COVID-19 in unvaccinated people is currently approximately 3.5 times higher than in vaccinated people.

To date, 4.4% of all vaccine breakthrough cases have been hospitalized and 1% have died. The average age of vaccinated people who died was 81.

Vaccination remains the most effective tool to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The number of vaccine breakthrough cases identified in Oregon remains very small when compared to the more than 2.75 million Oregonians who have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

The latest breakthrough report can be found here.

This week OHA added three new features to the breakthrough report. Data is now available by vaccine manufacturer, including the number of breakthrough cases and their severity. This report also shows the number of Oregonians who received each vaccine, as well as the number of breakthrough cases per 100,000 vaccinated people.

In addition, OHA has expanded demographic data to include race and ethnicity for breakthrough cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.

Finally, OHA added a new map showing cumulative breakthrough cases for each county. In general, breakthrough case counts correspond with population size, vaccination rates, and overall case counts.

Pediatric weekly dashboard update

Today, OHA published its latest dashboard report of pediatric COVID-19 case data in Oregon.

This dashboard replaces the previous report and is published weekly on Thursdays with the most recent full week’s data.

New dashboard displays case and vaccination information by age group 

Today, OHA published a new weekly dashboard, titled Oregon’s COVID-19 Case and Vaccination Stories. The agency developed this dashboard to highlight COVID-19 case trends as vaccination rates increase.

The dashboard displays COVID-19 case and hospitalization rates, COVID-19 related deaths and the percentage of Oregonians who received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine over time.

Specifically, OHA compared the fall 2020 and spring 2021 surges at their peaks for those under 65 years old and those 65 and older. Data indicate the peak case rate per 100,000 for people ages 65 and older was 66% lower during the spring 2021 surge than during the fall 2020 surge. Among people under 65, a group where broad vaccination efforts took place later, the peak case rate was 38% lower during the spring 2021 surge than the fall 2020 surge.

The dashboard presents similar comparisons of hospitalizations and deaths by age group during the fall 2020 and spring 2021 surges. It is important to note that this is a population-level analysis, not an assessment of individual risk. Observing a trend, such as low hospitalization rates in a specific age group, does not mean all individuals in that group will avoid hospitalization or death after contracting COVID-19.

Because the summer 2021 surge is ongoing, a full analysis of its impacts is not yet possible. This analysis will be updated as more data become available.

For additional insights, please visit the Oregon’s COVID-19 Case and Vaccination Stories dashboard, where you can use an “Explore the Data” feature to create your own charts for COVID-19 cases, severe cases and the percentage of Oregonians vaccinated over time.

COVID-19 hospitalizations

The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 575, which is 20 fewer than yesterday. There are 146 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is one more than yesterday.

There are 56 available adult ICU beds out of 685 total (8% availability) and 289 available adult non-ICU beds out of 4,094 (7% availability). 

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.

Note: Please do not visit an emergency department for COVID-19 testing, unless you require emergency care for your symptoms.

Emergency departments in Oregon are under significant strain responding to the current surge in COVID-19. You can find a test here.  

If you have a medical condition that doesn’t require emergency care, contact your provider. An urgent care center may also help you get the care you need and will save emergency departments from added strain.  

More information about hospital capacity can be found here.

Vaccinations in Oregon

Today, OHA reported that 12,696 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations were added to the state immunization registry on Oct. 13. Of that total, 1,071 were initial doses; 1,206 were second doses and 3,624 were third doses and booster doses. The remaining 6,760 were administered on previous days but were entered into the vaccine registry on Oct. 13.

The seven-day running average is now 10,301 doses per day.

Oregon has now administered 3,144,034 doses of Pfizer Comirnaty, 1,926,449 doses of Moderna and 221,987 doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.

As of today, 2,779,073 people have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 2,563,481 people have completed a COVID-19 vaccine series.

These data are preliminary and subject to change.

Updated vaccination data are provided on Oregon’s COVID-19 data dashboards and have been updated today.

Medical and public health experts determine when to recommend a booster

This week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will consider whether to recommend that individuals who were vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines should get booster doses.  

The decision to recommend a booster for people who received these vaccines depends on how significant the decrease in immunity is for each vaccine. Like the Pfizer vaccine, the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) may decide that only certain groups of people need a booster. Immunity may be waning more quickly in some people than others. This could mean that the people who are losing immunity should be given a booster to boost their immunity.   

VRBPAC members will hear presentations of data from the companies that manufacture these vaccines. They will also consider the FDA’s own analysis of the data. They will look at data that show whether there are significant decreases in immunity in people who have received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine individually, and whether a booster dose significantly boosts their immunity; then, decisions will be made separately for each vaccine.  

Once the VRBPAC decides, the committee will make a recommendation to the FDA. If the FDA decides to recommend boosters, the decision will be considered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The ACIP is an independent panel of medical and public health experts. Before recommending, ACIP reviews all available clinical trial information, including descriptions of: 

• Who is most at risk for COVID-19, in particular for more severe disease
• Who received the vaccine (age, race, ethnicity, underlying medical conditions)
• How different groups responded to the vaccine
• What side effects people had

Later this month, the VRBPAC will also consider whether the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine should be granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for children who are five through 11 years of age. The same process will be used to determine whether this vaccine should be recommended for children.  

You can read more about this in Oregon Vaccine News.

Cases and COVID-19 deaths

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (11), Benton (26), Clackamas (87), Clatsop (7), Columbia (8), Coos (27), Crook (37), Curry (3), Deschutes (136), Douglas (39), Grant (10), Harney (13), Hood River (10), Jackson (56), Jefferson (21), Josephine (16), Klamath (48), Lake (6), Lane (93), Lincoln (11), Linn (22), Malheur (33), Marion (98), Morrow (4), Multnomah (132), Polk (37), Tillamook (6), Umatilla (75), Union (11), Wallowa (7), Wasco (25), Washington (88), Wheeler (5) and Yamhill (29).

Oregon’s 4,118th COVID-19 related death is an 80-year-old woman from Klamath County who tested positive on Sept. 22 and died on Sept. 27 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,119th COVID-19 related death is a 70-year-old woman from Josephine County who tested positive on Sept. 27 and died on Oct. 13 at Asante Three River Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,120th COVID-19 related death is a 77-year-old man from Josephine County who tested positive on Sept. 4 and died on Sept. 29 at Asante Three River Medical Center. He had no underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,121st COVID-19 related death is a 61-year-old man from Jackson County who tested positive on Sept. 24 and died on Oct. 8 at Providence Medford Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,122nd COVID-19 related death is a 36-year-old woman from Curry County who tested positive on Sept. 16 and died on Sept. 27 at Asante Three River Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4123rd COVID-19 related death is a 94-year-old woman from Crook County who tested positive on Oct. 3 and died on Oct. 12 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,124th COVID-19 related death is a 73-year-old man from Clackamas County who tested positive on Sept. 14 and died on Sept. 24 at Providence Portland Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,125th COVID-19 related death is a 74-year-old man from Klamath County who tested positive on Sept. 18 and died on Sept. 28 at St. Charles Bend Hospital. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,126th COVID-19 related death is a 66-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive on Aug. 22 and died on Sept. 24 at Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,127th COVID-19 related death is a 69-year-old man from Marion County who tested positive on Oct. 9 and died on Oct. 13 at Salem Hospital. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,128th COVID-19 related death is a 52-year-old man from Marion County who tested positive on Oct. 8 and died on Oct. 11 at Salem Hospital. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,129th COVID-19 related death is a 57-year-old woman from Lincoln County who first became symptomatic on July 24 and died on Aug. 17; location of death is being confirmed. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,130th COVID-19 related death is a 67-year-old woman from Lincoln County who tested positive on June 18 and died on June 18 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,131st COVID-19 related death is a 68-year-old man from Lane County who tested positive on Oct. 5 and died on Oct. 12 at Mckenzie-Willamette Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,132nd COVID-19 related death is an 84-year-old man from Lane County who tested positive on Sept. 24 and died at Mckenzie-Willamette Medical Center. The date of death is being confirmed. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,133rd COVID-19 related death is a 61-year-old man from Umatilla County who tested positive on Sept. 24 and died on Oct. 7 at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,134th COVID-19 related death is an 82-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive on Sept. 29 and died on Oct. 4 at Providence Portland Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,135th COVID-19 related death is an 81-year-old woman from Multnomah County who tested positive on Sept. 16 and died on Sept. 22 at Adventist Health Portland. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,136th COVID-19 related death is a 76-year-old woman from Multnomah County who tested positive on Sept. 13 and died on Sept. 29 at Adventist Health Portland. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,137th COVID-19 related death is a 97-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive on Sept. 9 and died on Sept. 11 at his residence. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,138th COVID-19 related death is a 66-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive on Sept. 6 and died on Oct. 3 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,139th COVID-19 related death is a 72-year-old woman from Wasco County who tested positive on Aug. 25 and died on Oct. 4 at St. Charles Bend Hospital. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,140th COVID-19 related death is a 90-year-old man from Union County who tested positive on Sept. 17 and died on Sept. 23 at his residence. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,141st COVID-19 related death is a 74-year-old woman from Union County who tested positive on Aug. 24 and died on Aug. 31 at Grande Ronde Hospital. She had underlying conditions.

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations  

To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine situation in Oregon, visit our webpage (English or Spanish), which has a breakdown of distribution and other information.

October 15, 2021

Contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@state.or.us

Public Health Advisory Board meets Oct. 21

What: The Public Health Advisory Board will hold a meeting.

Agenda: Approve September meeting minutes; public health survey modernization discussion.

When: Thursday, Oct. 21, 2-5 p.m. The meeting is open to the public. A public comment period will be held at the end of the meeting.

Where: Zoom conference call: (669) 254-5252, participant code 1609889971#.

Background: The Public Health Advisory Board provides guidance for Oregon’s governmental public health system and oversees the implementation of public health modernization and the State Health Improvement Plan.

# # #

Everyone has a right to know about and use Oregon Health Authority (OHA) programs and services. OHA provides free help. Some examples of the free help OHA can provide are:

• Sign language and spoken language interpreters.
• Written materials in other languages.
• Braille.
• Large print.
• Audio and other formats.

If you need help or have questions, please contact Cara Biddlecom: at 971-673-2284, 711 TTY, or a.m.biddlecom@state.or.us">cara.m.biddlecom@state.or.us, at least 48 hours before the meeting.

Oct. 14, 2021

Contact: OHA External Relations, covid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us">orcovid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us

Oregon reports 1,237 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 24 new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — There are 24 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 4,141, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 1,237 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 347,616.

OHA releases new COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough report

OHA’s most recent update on COVID-19 breakthrough cases, released today, found that 72.8% of the 9,141 reported COVID-19 cases between Oct. 3 through Oct. 9, occurred in people who were unvaccinated.

There were 2,490 breakthrough cases, accounting for 27.2% of all cases.

The average age of the breakthrough cases during that period was 47. Sixty-five breakthrough cases involved residents of care facilities, senior living communities or other congregate care settings. There were 122 breakthrough cases in people ages 12 to 17.

To date, there have been 30,687 COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough cases in Oregon. The average age of all cases is 48. Breakthrough cases have been reported in all 36 counties.

Cases of COVID-19 are far more common in unvaccinated people. The report shows that the rate of COVID-19 in unvaccinated people is currently approximately 3.5 times higher than in vaccinated people.

To date, 4.4% of all vaccine breakthrough cases have been hospitalized and 1% have died. The average age of vaccinated people who died was 81.

Vaccination remains the most effective tool to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The number of vaccine breakthrough cases identified in Oregon remains very small when compared to the more than 2.75 million Oregonians who have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

The latest breakthrough report can be found here.

This week OHA added three new features to the breakthrough report. Data is now available by vaccine manufacturer, including the number of breakthrough cases and their severity. This report also shows the number of Oregonians who received each vaccine, as well as the number of breakthrough cases per 100,000 vaccinated people.

In addition, OHA has expanded demographic data to include race and ethnicity for breakthrough cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.

Finally, OHA added a new map showing cumulative breakthrough cases for each county. In general, breakthrough case counts correspond with population size, vaccination rates, and overall case counts.

Pediatric weekly dashboard update

Today, OHA published its latest dashboard report of pediatric COVID-19 case data in Oregon.

This dashboard replaces the previous report and is published weekly on Thursdays with the most recent full week’s data.

New dashboard displays case and vaccination information by age group 

Today, OHA published a new weekly dashboard, titled Oregon’s COVID-19 Case and Vaccination Stories. The agency developed this dashboard to highlight COVID-19 case trends as vaccination rates increase.

The dashboard displays COVID-19 case and hospitalization rates, COVID-19 related deaths and the percentage of Oregonians who received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine over time.

Specifically, OHA compared the fall 2020 and spring 2021 surges at their peaks for those under 65 years old and those 65 and older. Data indicate the peak case rate per 100,000 for people ages 65 and older was 66% lower during the spring 2021 surge than during the fall 2020 surge. Among people under 65, a group where broad vaccination efforts took place later, the peak case rate was 38% lower during the spring 2021 surge than the fall 2020 surge.

The dashboard presents similar comparisons of hospitalizations and deaths by age group during the fall 2020 and spring 2021 surges. It is important to note that this is a population-level analysis, not an assessment of individual risk. Observing a trend, such as low hospitalization rates in a specific age group, does not mean all individuals in that group will avoid hospitalization or death after contracting COVID-19.

Because the summer 2021 surge is ongoing, a full analysis of its impacts is not yet possible. This analysis will be updated as more data become available.

For additional insights, please visit the Oregon’s COVID-19 Case and Vaccination Stories dashboard, where you can use an “Explore the Data” feature to create your own charts for COVID-19 cases, severe cases and the percentage of Oregonians vaccinated over time.

COVID-19 hospitalizations

The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 575, which is 20 fewer than yesterday. There are 146 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is one more than yesterday.

There are 56 available adult ICU beds out of 685 total (8% availability) and 289 available adult non-ICU beds out of 4,094 (7% availability). 

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.

Note: Please do not visit an emergency department for COVID-19 testing, unless you require emergency care for your symptoms.

Emergency departments in Oregon are under significant strain responding to the current surge in COVID-19. You can find a test here.  

If you have a medical condition that doesn’t require emergency care, contact your provider. An urgent care center may also help you get the care you need and will save emergency departments from added strain.  

More information about hospital capacity can be found here.

Vaccinations in Oregon

Today, OHA reported that 12,696 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations were added to the state immunization registry on Oct. 13. Of that total, 1,071 were initial doses; 1,206 were second doses and 3,624 were third doses and booster doses. The remaining 6,760 were administered on previous days but were entered into the vaccine registry on Oct. 13.

The seven-day running average is now 10,301 doses per day.

Oregon has now administered 3,144,034 doses of Pfizer Comirnaty, 1,926,449 doses of Moderna and 221,987 doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.

As of today, 2,779,073 people have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 2,563,481 people have completed a COVID-19 vaccine series.

These data are preliminary and subject to change.

Updated vaccination data are provided on Oregon’s COVID-19 data dashboards and have been updated today.

Medical and public health experts determine when to recommend a booster

This week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will consider whether to recommend that individuals who were vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines should get booster doses.  

The decision to recommend a booster for people who received these vaccines depends on how significant the decrease in immunity is for each vaccine. Like the Pfizer vaccine, the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) may decide that only certain groups of people need a booster. Immunity may be waning more quickly in some people than others. This could mean that the people who are losing immunity should be given a booster to boost their immunity.   

VRBPAC members will hear presentations of data from the companies that manufacture these vaccines. They will also consider the FDA’s own analysis of the data. They will look at data that show whether there are significant decreases in immunity in people who have received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine individually, and whether a booster dose significantly boosts their immunity; then, decisions will be made separately for each vaccine.  

Once the VRBPAC decides, the committee will make a recommendation to the FDA. If the FDA decides to recommend boosters, the decision will be considered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The ACIP is an independent panel of medical and public health experts. Before recommending, ACIP reviews all available clinical trial information, including descriptions of: 

• Who is most at risk for COVID-19, in particular for more severe disease
• Who received the vaccine (age, race, ethnicity, underlying medical conditions)
• How different groups responded to the vaccine
• What side effects people had

Later this month, the VRBPAC will also consider whether the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine should be granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for children who are five through 11 years of age. The same process will be used to determine whether this vaccine should be recommended for children.  

You can read more about this in Oregon Vaccine News.

Cases and COVID-19 deaths

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (11), Benton (26), Clackamas (87), Clatsop (7), Columbia (8), Coos (27), Crook (37), Curry (3), Deschutes (136), Douglas (39), Grant (10), Harney (13), Hood River (10), Jackson (56), Jefferson (21), Josephine (16), Klamath (48), Lake (6), Lane (93), Lincoln (11), Linn (22), Malheur (33), Marion (98), Morrow (4), Multnomah (132), Polk (37), Tillamook (6), Umatilla (75), Union (11), Wallowa (7), Wasco (25), Washington (88), Wheeler (5) and Yamhill (29).

Note: More information about deaths and cases will be included in a follow-up news release

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations  

To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine situation in Oregon, visit our webpage (English or Spanish), which has a breakdown of distribution and other information.

October 14, 2021

Contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@dhsoha.state.or.us

Tobacco Retail Licensure Rules Advisory Committee meets Oct. 27

What: The Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Section of the Public Health Division will convene a Rules Advisory Committee.

Agenda: The Rules Advisory Committee will discuss developing administrative rules related to the administration and enforcement of Senate Bill 587, which establishes a tobacco retail license program throughout Oregon.

When: Wednesday, Oct. 27, 9 a.m. to noon.

Where:  By Zoom meeting. Please register in advance at https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsf--vqjgrHmxnyxT7nuvH8n4tS_xt79Y

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Background: The Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Section will convene a Tobacco Retail Licensure RAC and submit rules following the Oregon Administrative Procedures Act. Membership of the RAC represents a diverse mix of community members from businesses affected by changes in the law, health professionals, community-based organizations, and government agencies.

###

Everyone has a right to know about and use Oregon Health Authority (OHA) programs and services.  OHA provides free help.  Some examples of the free help OHA can provide are:

• Sign language and spoken language interpreters
• Written materials in other languages
• Braille
• Large print
• Audio and other formats

Contact: Tara Weston, Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Section at tara.e.weston@dhsoha.state.or.us for more information or to be placed on a list of interested parties to receive notifications about meetings, public hearings, and public comment periods.

Oct. 13, 2021

This news release is an updated version to include case and death information.

Contact: OHA External Relations, covid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us">orcovid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us

Oregon reports 1,278 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 33 new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — There are 33 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 4,117 the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 1,278 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 346,480.

COVID-19 hospitalizations

The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 595, which is 10 more than yesterday. There are 145 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is 4 fewer than yesterday.

There are 61 available adult ICU beds out of 680 total (9% availability) and 306 available adult non-ICU beds out of 4,138 (7% availability). 

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.

Note: Please do not visit an emergency department for COVID-19 testing, unless you require emergency care for your symptoms.

Emergency departments in Oregon are under significant strain responding to the current surge in COVID-19. You can find a test here.  

If you have a medical condition that doesn’t require emergency care, contact your provider. An urgent care center may also help you get the care you need and will save emergency departments from added strain.  

More information about hospital capacity can be found here.

Vaccinations in Oregon

Today, OHA reported that 13,673 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations were added to the state immunization registry on Oct. 12. Of that total, 1,110 were initial doses; 1,150 were second doses and 4,104 were third doses and booster doses. The remaining 7,272 were administered on previous days but were entered into the vaccine registry on Oct. 12.

The seven-day running average is now 10,229 doses per day.

Oregon has now administered 3,133,104 doses of Pfizer Comirnaty, 1,925,240 doses of Moderna and 221,555 doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.

As of today, 2,776,547 people have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 2,560,340 people have completed a COVID-19 vaccine series.

These data are preliminary and subject to change.

Updated vaccination data are provided on Oregon’s COVID-19 data dashboards and have been updated today.

These data are preliminary and subject to change.

Updated vaccination data are provided on Oregon’s COVID-19 data dashboards and have been updated today.

Cases and COVID-19 deaths

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (7), Benton (25), Clackamas (106), Clatsop (3), Columbia (8), Coos (27), Crook (31), Curry (6), Deschutes (105), Douglas (50), Harney (5), Hood River (9), Jackson (66), Jefferson (20), Josephine (19), Klamath (33), Lake (8), Lane (130), Lincoln (20), Linn (73), Malheur (30), Marion (139), Morrow (3), Multnomah (113), Polk (30), Tillamook (3), Umatilla (58), Union (9), Wallowa (4), Wasco (15), Washington (101) and Yamhill (22).

Oregon’s 4,085th COVID-19 related death is a 73-year-old man from Douglas County who tested positive on Sept. 1 and died on Oct. 3 at Asante Three Rivers Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,086th COVID-19 related death is a 62-year-old woman from Curry County who tested positive on Aug. 23 and died on Sept. 7 at Oregon Health & Science University Hospital. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,087th COVID-19 related death is a 62-year-old man from Douglas County who tested positive on Aug. 16 and died on Sept. 23 at Oregon Health & Science University Hospital. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,088th COVID-19 related death is a 60-year-old woman from Clatsop County who tested positive on Oct. 6 and died on Oct. 6 at Adventist Health Portland. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,089th COVID-19 related death is a 62-year-old woman from Clackamas County who tested positive on Oct. 4 and died on Oct. 11 at Providence Milwaukie Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,090th COVID-19 related death is a 62-year-old woman from Clackamas County who tested positive on Sept. 7 and died on Sept. 25 at Providence Portland Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,091st COVID-19 related death is a 79-year-old man from Clackamas County who tested positive on Sept. 8 and died on Sept. 15 at Adventist Health Portland. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,092nd COVID-19 related death is a 76-year-old man from Clackamas County who tested positive on Aug. 28 and died on Sept. 17 at Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,093rd COVID-19 related death is a 60-year-old woman from Douglas County who tested positive on Aug. 29 and died on Oct. 6 at Mercy Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,094th COVID-19 related death is a 69-year-old man from Klamath County who tested positive on Oct. 5 and died on Oct. 11 at Sky Lakes Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,095th COVID-19 related death is a 66-year-old woman from Klamath County who tested positive on Sept. 28 and died on Oct. 12 at Sky Lakes Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,096th COVID-19 related death is a 95-year-old woman from Josephine County who tested positive on Oct. 5 and died on Oct. 11 at Providence Medford Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,097th COVID-19 related death is an 89-year-old woman from Josephine County who tested positive on Sept. 10 and died on Sept. 24 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,098th COVID-19 related death is a 57-year-old man from Jackson County who tested positive on Aug. 16 and died on Sept. 20 at his residence. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,099th COVID-19 related death is an 86-year-old woman from Jackson County who tested positive on Aug. 11 and died on Sept. 17 at her residence. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,100th COVID-19 related death is an 88-year-old man from Hood River County who tested positive on Sept. 16 and died on Oct. 3 at his residence. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,101st COVID-19 related death is a 95-year-old man from Crook County who tested positive on Oct. 3 and died on Oct. 11 at his residence. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,102nd COVID-19 related death is a 57-year-old woman from Linn County who tested positive on Sept. 27 and died on Oct. 4 at her residence. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,103rd COVID-19 related death is a 67-year-old man from Linn County who tested positive on Sept. 27 and died on Oct. 11 at Samaritan Albany General Hospital. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,104th COVID-19 related death is a 50-year-old man from Linn County who tested positive on Sept. 9 and died on Oct. 2 at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,105th COVID-19 related death is a 75-year-old man from Linn County who tested positive on Aug. 10 and died on Sept. 30 at Providence Portland Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,106th COVID-19 related death is a 58-year-old man from Lincoln County who tested positive on Sept. 18 and died on Sept. 30 at Providence Portland Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,107th COVID-19 related death is an 80-year-old woman from Lane County who tested positive on Oct. 1 and died on Oct. 11 at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,108th COVID-19 related death is an 89-year-old woman from Lane County who tested positive on Sept. 7 and died on Sept. 23 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,109th COVID-19 related death is an 86-year-old woman from Lake County who tested positive on Sept. 16 and died on Sept. 30 at Lake District Hospital. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,110th COVID-19 related death is a 55-year-old woman from Yamhill County who tested positive on Sept. 15 and died on Sept. 28 at Willamette Valley Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,111th COVID-19 related death is a 52-year-old woman from Washington County who tested positive on Sept. 26 and died on Oct. 8 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,112th COVID-19 related death is a 79-year-old man from Washington County who tested positive on Sept. 14 and died on Sept. 24 at OHSU Hillsboro Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,113th COVID-19 related death is a 79-year-old woman from Umatilla County who tested positive on Sept. 16 and died on Oct. 3 at Good Shepherd Hospital. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,114th COVID-19 related death is a 62-year-old man from Tillamook County who tested positive on Aug. 23 and died on Sept. 24 at Providence Portland Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,115th COVID-19 related death is a 65-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive on Sept. 12 and died on Oct. 2 at Providence Portland Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,116th COVID-19 related death is an 88-year-old woman from Multnomah County who tested positive on Jan. 8 and died on Feb. 2 at her residence. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,117th COVID-19 related death is an 83-year-old woman from Marion County who tested positive on Aug. 25 and died on Sept. 22 at Salem Hospital. She had underlying conditions.

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations  

To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine situation in Oregon, visit our webpage (English or Spanish), which has a breakdown of distribution and other information.

Oct. 13, 2021

Contact: OHA External Relations, covid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us">orcovid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us

COVID-19 weekly cases and hospitalizations decline, deaths rise

The Oregon Health Authority’s COVID-19 Weekly Report, released today, shows decreases in daily cases and hospitalizations and an increase in deaths.

OHA reported 9,022 new cases of COVID-19 during the week of Monday, Oct. 4 through Sunday, Oct. 10. That represents an 13% decrease from the previous week and the sixth consecutive week of declining case counts.

The incidence of reported COVID-19 was higher in Oregon counties with population vaccination rates less than 50%.

There were 416 new COVID-19 hospitalizations, down from 462 last week, which marks a 10% reduction and the fifth consecutive week of declines.

There were 179 reported COVID-19 related deaths, up from 114 reported the previous week. This was the highest weekly death toll since the week of Jan. 11–17.

There were 141,863 tests for COVID-19 for the week of Oct. 3 through Oct. 9.  The percentage of positive tests was 8.1%, down from 8.8% the previous week.

Today’s COVID-19 Weekly Outbreak Report shows 148 active COVID-19 outbreaks in senior living communities and congregate living settings, with three or more confirmed cases and one or more COVID-19 related deaths.

####

October 13, 2021

Contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@state.or.us

Nurse Staffing Advisory Board, HB 3016 Rules Committee meets Oct. 27

What: The Nurse Staffing Advisory Board is holding its quarterly meeting.

Agenda: Rules Advisory Committee – HB 3016; open action item – hospital surge presentation; membership updates; status updates; open action item – hospital waiver request; committee updates – NSAB Civil Monetary Penalties Committee; proposed statute changes; Nurse Staffing Surveyor discusses survey activities; emerging issues in nurse staffing; public comment.

The agenda will be available on www.healthoregon.org/nursestaffing

When: Oct. 27, 1-5 p.m.

Where: To receive meeting login information, register for the meeting here:

https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItfuGppjksGlB_mBExFrkBKHYDUeZ071Q

Background: The Nurse Staffing Advisory Board advises Oregon Health Authority on the administration of Oregon’s nurse staffing laws; identifies trends, opportunities and concerns related to nurse staffing; makes recommendations to the Oregon Health Authority based on those trends, opportunities and concerns; and reviews the enforcement powers and processes under Oregon’s nurse staffing laws.

Program contact: Kimberly Voelker, ox.nursestaffing@state.or.us">Mailbox.nursestaffing@state.or.us

###

Everyone has a right to know about and use Oregon Health Authority (OHA) programs and services. OHA provides free help. Some examples of the free help OHA can provide are:

• Sign language and spoken language interpreters
• Written material in other languages
• Braille
• Large print
• Audio and other formats

If you need help or have questions, please contact Kimberly Voelker, MPH at 971-803-0914, 711 TTY or erly.n.voelker@dhsoha.state.or.us">kimberly.n.voelker@dhsoha.state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting.

October 13, 2021

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@state.or.u

Oregon Cannabis Commission's Research and Leadership Subcommittee meets via Zoom Oct. 22

What: A public Zoom meeting for the Oregon Cannabis Commission’s Research and Leadership Subcommittee.

Agenda: TBD. The full agenda will be available at www.healthoregon.org/cannabiscommission.  

When: Friday, Oct. 22, 10 a.m. to noon.

Where: Zoom Meeting. Members of the public may join remotely by phone at 1-669-254-5252; Meeting ID: 161 059 2012 Passcode: 859134

Background: The Oregon Cannabis Commission was established in the 2017 legislative session through HB 2198. The commission consists of the state health officer or designee and an eight member-panel appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the senate. The commission provides advice to Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission regarding Oregon Administrative Rules that govern medical cannabis as well as retail cannabis as it pertains to patients and caregivers.  Additionally, the commission is tasked with developing a long-term strategic plan for ensuring that cannabis will remain a therapeutic and affordable option for patients and monitoring federal laws, regulations, and policies regarding cannabis.

Visit www.Healthoregon.org/cannabiscommission for more information.

# # #

Everyone has a right to know about and use Oregon Health Authority (OHA) programs and services. OHA provides free help. Some examples of the free help OHA can provide are:

• Sign language and spoken language interpreters
• Written material in other languages
• Braille
• Large print
• Audio and other formats

If you need help or have questions, please contact Megan Lockwood at 971-673-0620, 711 TTY or .lockwood@dhsoha.state.or.us">megan.r.lockwood@dhsoha.state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting.

October 13, 2021

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@state.or.us

Oregon Cannabis Commission's Patient Equity, Governance Frame Working subcommittees meets via Zoom Oct. 21

What: A combined Zoom meeting for the Oregon Cannabis Commission’s Patient Equity and Governance Frame Working subcommittees.

Agenda: TBD. The full agenda will be available at www.healthoregon.org/cannabiscommission.

When: Thursday, Oct. 21, 10 a.m. to noon.

Where: Zoom Meeting. Members of the public may join remotely by phone at 1-669-254-5252; Meeting ID: 160 811 5209 Passcode: 469940

Background: The Oregon Cannabis Commission was established in the 2017 legislative session through HB 2198. The commission consists of the state health officer or designee and an eight member-panel appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the senate. The commission provides advice to Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission regarding Oregon Administrative Rules that govern medical cannabis as well as retail cannabis as it pertains to patients and caregivers.  Additionally, the commission is tasked with developing a long-term strategic plan for ensuring that cannabis will remain a therapeutic and affordable option for patients and monitoring federal laws, regulations, and policies regarding cannabis.

Visit www.Healthoregon.org/cannabiscommission for more information.

# # #

Everyone has a right to know about and use Oregon Health Authority (OHA) programs and services. OHA provides free help. Some examples of the free help OHA can provide are:

• Sign language and spoken language interpreters
• Written material in other languages
• Braille
• Large print
• Audio and other formats

If you need help or have questions, please contact Megan Lockwood at 971-673-0620, 711 TTY or .lockwood@dhsoha.state.or.us">megan.r.lockwood@dhsoha.state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting.

Oct. 13, 2021

Contact: OHA External Relations, covid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us">orcovid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us

Oregon reports 1,278 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 33 new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — There are 33 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 4,117 the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 1,278 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 346,480.

COVID-19 hospitalizations

The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 595, which is 10 more than yesterday. There are 145 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is 4 fewer than yesterday.

There are 61 available adult ICU beds out of 680 total (9% availability) and 306 available adult non-ICU beds out of 4,138 (7% availability). 

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.

Note: Please do not visit an emergency department for COVID-19 testing, unless you require emergency care for your symptoms.

Emergency departments in Oregon are under significant strain responding to the current surge in COVID-19. You can find a test here.  

If you have a medical condition that doesn’t require emergency care, contact your provider. An urgent care center may also help you get the care you need and will save emergency departments from added strain.  

More information about hospital capacity can be found here.

Vaccinations in Oregon

Today, OHA reported that 13,673 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations were added to the state immunization registry on Oct. 12. Of that total, 1,110 were initial doses; 1,150 were second doses and 4,104 were third doses and booster doses. The remaining 7,272 were administered on previous days but were entered into the vaccine registry on Oct. 12.

The seven-day running average is now 10,229 doses per day.

Oregon has now administered 3,133,104 doses of Pfizer Comirnaty, 1,925,240 doses of Moderna and 221,555 doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.

As of today, 2,776,547 people have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 2,560,340 people have completed a COVID-19 vaccine series.

These data are preliminary and subject to change.

Updated vaccination data are provided on Oregon’s COVID-19 data dashboards and have been updated today.

These data are preliminary and subject to change.

Updated vaccination data are provided on Oregon’s COVID-19 data dashboards and have been updated today.

Cases and COVID-19 deaths

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (7), Benton (25), Clackamas (106), Clatsop (3), Columbia (8), Coos (27), Crook (31), Curry (6), Deschutes (105), Douglas (50), Harney (5), Hood River (9), Jackson (66), Jefferson (20), Josephine (19), Klamath (33), Lake (8), Lane (130), Lincoln (20), Linn (73), Malheur (30), Marion (139), Morrow (3), Multnomah (113), Polk (30), Tillamook (3), Umatilla (58), Union (9), Wallowa (4), Wasco (15), Washington (101) and Yamhill (22).

Note: More information about the cases and deaths will be provided in an updated news release.

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations  

To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine situation in Oregon, visit our webpage (English or Spanish), which has a breakdown of distribution and other information.

This news release is an updated version to include case and death information and an updated number of deaths.

October 12, 2021

Contact: OHA External Relations, covid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us">orcovid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us

Oregon reports 1,413 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 82 new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — There are 82 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 4,084 the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 1,413 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 345,344.

Note: Today’s total marks the highest number of COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon reported in a single day. This is in part due to a death data reconciliation. 

Death is a lagging indicator and generally follows a surge in cases. In addition, there is often a lag in reporting as our epidemiologists review death certificates. OHA expects that reported deaths may continue to be high even as daily case counts decrease. This is due to the time lag between when a person tests positive for a case of COVID-19 and when they die with COVID-19.

The best way to reduce COVID-19 related deaths is by getting vaccinated. Safe, free and highly effective vaccines are widely available throughout Oregon.

Third doses and booster doses are also recommended for those who are eligible. Getting vaccinated is helping to bring the surge due to the Delta variant under control and can also reduce the likelihood of other variants emerging.

Health Care Workforce dashboard monthly data refresh now available

For October’s data refresh, the Health Care Workforce (HCW) dashboard now includes data up to Oct. 4, 2021. The health care workforce population for each Oregon county has also been added. As expected, vaccination rates continue to climb across all license boards and types for an overall vaccination rate of 82%.

Note: The Health Care Workforce dashboard does not represent the HCW population that needs to be vaccinated under the mandate announced on Aug. 10, 2021. Whether a health care worker falls under the mandate for vaccination can vary among license boards and types based on various circumstances or factors. OHA does not have specific data on the proportion of health care workers subject to the mandate.

COVID-19 hospitalizations

The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 585, which is 59 fewer than yesterday. There are 149 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is 21 fewer than yesterday.

There are 56 available adult ICU beds out of 682 total (8% availability) and 298 available adult non-ICU beds out of 4,117 (7% availability).

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.

Note: Please do not visit an emergency department for COVID-19 testing, unless you require emergency care for your symptoms.

Emergency departments in Oregon are under significant strain responding to the current surge in COVID-19. You can find a test here.  

If you have a medical condition that doesn’t require emergency care, contact your provider. An urgent care center may also help you get the care you need and will save emergency departments from added strain.  

More information about hospital capacity can be found here.

Vaccinations in Oregon

Today, OHA reported 10,629 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations were added to the state immunization registry on Oct. 11.

Of that total, 5,808 were administered on Oct. 11. There were 970 initial doses; 1,044 second doses and 3,771 third doses and booster doses. The remaining 5,808 were administered on previous days but were entered into the vaccine registry on Oct. 11.

The seven-day running average is now 10,352 doses per day.

Oregon has now administered 3,121,602 doses of Pfizer Comirnaty, 1,923,609 doses of Moderna and 221,073 doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.

As of today, 2,773,754 people have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 2,556,839 people have completed a COVID-19 vaccine series.

These data are preliminary and subject to change.

Updated vaccination data are provided on Oregon’s COVID-19 data dashboards and have been updated today.

Cases and deaths

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Benton (34), Clackamas (83), Clatsop (4), Columbia (14), Coos (34), Crook (63), Curry (3), Deschutes (92), Douglas (39), Gilliam (2), Grant (17), Harney (21), Hood River (9), Jackson (63), Jefferson (13), Josephine (24), Klamath (84), Lake (14), Lane (119), Lincoln (8), Linn (48), Malheur (45), Marion (112), Morrow (10), Multnomah (118), Polk (64), Sherman (2), Tillamook (3), Umatilla (96), Union (8), Wallowa (5), Wasco (28), Washington (83) and Yamhill (51).

Note: More information about the cases and deaths will be provided in an updated news release.

Oregon’s 4,003rd COVID-19 related death is an 86-year-old woman from Clackamas County who tested positive on Sept. 16 and died on Sept. 30 at his residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,004th COVID-19 related death is a 57-year-old man from Clackamas County who tested positive on Sept. 14 and died on Sept. 23 at Providence Portland Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,005th COVID-19 related death is a 43-year-old man from Clackamas County who tested positive on Sept. 8 and died on Sept. 19 at Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,006th COVID-19 related death is a 50-year-old woman from Clackamas County who tested positive on Aug. 3 and died on Aug. 19 at Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,007^th COVID-19 related death is a 78-year-old man from Clackamas County who tested positive on July 31 and died on Sept. 19 at Providence Portland Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,008th COVID-19 related death is a 76-year-old woman from Clackamas County who tested positive on Nov. 24, 2020 and died on Nov. 29, 2020 at St. Charles Bend Hospital. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,009th COVID-19 related death is a 60-year-old man from Benton County who tested positive on Sept. 20 and died on Oct. 3 at Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,010th COVID-19 related death is an 81-year-old woman from Baker County who tested positive on Sept. 27 and died on Oct. 11 at St. Alphonsus Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,011th COVID-19 related death is a 56-year-old man from Deschutes County who tested positive on Aug. 14 and died on Sept. 5 at St. Charles Bend Hospital. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,012nd COVID-19 related death is a 76-year-old man from Deschutes County who tested positive on Aug. 10 and died on Sept. 2 at St. Charles Bend Hospital. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,013rd COVID-19 related death is an 88-year-old man from Coos County who tested positive on Oct. 6 and died on Oct. 11 at Bay Area Hospital. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,014th COVID-19 related death is an 84-year-old man from Coos County who tested positive on Oct. 1 and died on Oct. 8 at Bay Area Hospital. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,015th COVID-19 related death is a 94-year-old man from Coos County who tested positive on Sept. 23 and died on Oct. 9 at Bay Area Hospital. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,016th COVID-19 related death is a 94-year-old man from Coos County who tested positive on Sept. 19 and died on Oct. 9 at Bay Area Hospital. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,017th COVID-19 related death is a 35-year-old man from Coos County who died on Sept. 6 at Providence St Vincent Medical Center; date of positive test is being confirmed. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,018th COVID-19 related death is a 74-year-old man from Columbia County who tested positive on Sept. 25 and died on Oct. 8 at Kaiser Westside Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,019th COVID-19 related death is an 83-year-old man from Columbia County who tested positive on Sept. 21 and died on Oct. 2 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,020th COVID-19 related death is an 89-year-old woman from Columbia County who tested positive on Dec. 6, 2020 and died on April 14, 2021 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,021st COVID-19 related death is a 73-year-old man from Deschutes County who tested positive on Aug. 26 and died on Sept. 20 at St. Charles Bend Hospital. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,022nd COVID-19 related death is a 90-year-old woman from Deschutes County who tested positive on Aug. 21 and died on Sept. 21 at her residence. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,023rd COVID-19 related death is a 76-year-old woman from Deschutes County who tested positive on Aug. 18 and died on Oct. 6 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,024th COVID-19 related death is an 80-year-old woman from Deschutes County who tested positive on Sept. 9 and died on Oct. 6 at her residence. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,025th COVID-19 related death is a 94-year-old woman from Deschutes County who tested positive on Sept. 1 and died on Sept. 19 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,026th COVID-19 related death is an 86-year-old man from Deschutes County who tested positive on Aug. 31 and died on Sept. 20 at St. Charles Bend Hospital. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,027th COVID-19 related death is a 76-year-old man from Deschutes County who tested positive on Sept. 11 and died on Sept. 28 at St. Charles Bend Hospital. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,028th COVID-19 related death is an 84-year-old woman from Douglas County who tested positive on Sept. 20 and died on Oct. 8 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,029th COVID-19 related death is a 72-year-old woman from Douglas County who tested positive on Sept. 16 and died on Sept. 18 at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,030th COVID-19 related death is a 53-year-old man from Lane County who tested positive on Sept. 30 and died on Oct. 11 at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,031st COVID-19 related death is a 95-year-old man from Lane County who tested positive on Sept. 28 and died on Oct. 11 at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,032nd COVID-19 related death is a 76-year-old woman from Lane County who tested positive on Sept. 12 and died on Sept. 24 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,033rd COVID-19 related death is a 97-year-old woman from Lane County who tested positive on Dec. 9, 2020 and died on Dec. 17, 2020 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,034th COVID-19 related death is a 79-year-old woman from Lake County who tested positive on Sept. 21 and died on Sept. 27 at Lake District Hospital. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,035th COVID-19 related death is a 78-year-old man from Klamath County who tested positive on Sept. 21 and died on Oct. 8 at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,036th COVID-19 related death is a 75-year-old man from Lane County who first became symptomatic on Sept. 14 and died on Oct. 3 at Sky Lakes Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,037^th COVID-19 related death is a 67-year-old woman from Klamath County who tested positive on Aug. 8 and died on Sept. 5 at St. Charles Bend Hospital. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,038^th COVID-19 related death is a 77-year-old man from Josephine County who tested positive on Sept. 27 and died on Oct. 8 at Asante Three River Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,039^th COVID-19 related death is a 79-year-old man from Josephine County who tested positive on March 24 and died on April 7 at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,040th COVID-19 related death is a 60-year-old woman from Josephine County who tested positive on March 23 and died on May 16 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,041st COVID-19 related death is an 86-year-old woman from Jackson County who tested positive on Oct. 7 and died on Oct. 10 at Providence Medford Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,042nd COVID-19 related death is a 96-year-old man from Jackson County who tested positive on Sept. 13 and died on Oct. 1 at his residence. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,043rd COVID-19 related death is an 81-year-old woman from Grant County who tested positive on Oct. 7 and died on Oct. 9 at St. Charles Bend Hospital. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,044th COVID-19 related death is an 84-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive on Nov. 30, 2020 and died on Dec. 17, 2020 at his residence. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,045th COVID-19 related death is a 75-year-old man from Marion County who tested positive on Sept. 28 and died on Oct. 2 at Legacy Silverton Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,046th COVID-19 related death is a 79-year-old woman from Marion County who tested positive on Sept. 24 and died on Oct. 8 at Salem Hospital. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,047th COVID-19 related death is a 52-year-old man from Marion County who tested positive on Sept. 13 and died on Oct. 4 at Salem Hospital. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,048th COVID-19 related death is a 70-year-old woman from Marion County who tested positive on Sept. 7 and died on Oct. 6 at Salem Hospital. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,049th COVID-19 related death is a 78-year-old woman from Malheur County who tested positive on Sept. 24 and died on Oct. 6 at Saint Alphonsus Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,050th COVID-19 related death is an 85-year-old man from Linn County who tested positive on Oct. 3 and died on Oct. 6 at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,051st COVID-19 related death is an 84-year-old woman from Linn County who tested positive on Sept. 23 and died on Sept. 29 at Samaritan Albany General Hospital. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,052nd COVID-19 related death is an 81-year-old woman from Linn County who tested positive on Sept. 13 and died on Sept. 24 at her residence. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,053rd COVID-19 related death is a 68-year-old man from Linn County who tested positive on Sept. 2 and died on Oct. 4 at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,054th COVID-19 related death is a 76-year-old woman from Linn County who tested positive on Aug. 24 and died on Sept. 9 at Samaritan Albany General Hospital. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,055th COVID-19 related death is a 67-year-old man from Linn County who tested positive on Aug. 26 and died on Sept. 26 at Samaritan Albany General Hospital. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,056th COVID-19 related death is a 58-year-old woman from Linn County who tested positive on July 31 and died on Aug. 20 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,057th COVID-19 related death is a 64-year-old woman from Marion County who tested positive on Sept. 22 and died on Oct. 10 at Legacy Silverton Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,058th COVID-19 related death is a 68-year-old man from Marion County who died on Nov. 25, 2020 at his residence. The death certificate listed COVID-19 disease or SARS-CoV-2 as a cause of death or a significant condition contributing to death.  He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,059th COVID-19 related death is a 77-year-old woman from Marion County who tested positive on Aug. 26 and died on Sept. 4 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,060th COVID-19 related death is an 83-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive on Sept. 12 and died on Sept. 23 at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,061st COVID-19 related death is a 51-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive on Sept. 8 and died on Sept. 19 at Adventist Health Portland. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,062nd COVID-19 related death is a 49-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive on Aug. 31 and died on Sept. 24. Location of death and presence of underlying conditions are being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,063rd COVID-19 related death is a 68-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive on July 30 and died on Aug. 23 at Providence Portland Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,064th COVID-19 related death is a 70-year-old woman from Multnomah County who tested positive on April 30 and died on May 7 at Legacy Mt. Hood Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,065th COVID-19 related death is a 48-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive on April 2 and died on May 1 at Adventist Health Portland. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,066th COVID-19 related death is a 69-year-old woman from Multnomah County who tested positive on March 18 and died on March 19 at Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,067th COVID-19 related death is a 92-year-old woman from Multnomah County who tested positive on Sept. 15 and died on Oct. 5 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,068th COVID-19 related death is a 92-year-old woman from Multnomah County who tested positive on Sept. 23 and died on Oct. 2 at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,069th COVID-19 related death is a 74-year-old woman from Polk County who tested positive on Sept. 19 and died on Oct. 4 at Salem Hospital. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,070th COVID-19 related death is a 67-year-old man from Polk County who tested positive on Sept. 15 and died on Oct. 8 at Salem Hospital. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,071st COVID-19 related death is a 52-year-old woman from Polk County who tested positive on Sept. 14 and died on Oct. 9 at Salem Hospital. She had no underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,072nd COVID-19 related death is a 91-year-old man from Washington County who tested positive on Sept. 9 and died on Sept. 26 at Kaiser Westside Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,073rd COVID-19 related death is a 55-year-old man from Washington County who tested positive on Sept. 9 and died on Sept. 29 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,074th COVID-19 related death is a 71-year-old man from Washington County who tested positive on Sept. 7 and died on Sept. 14 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,075th COVID-19 related death is a 51-year-old man from Washington County who tested positive on Sept. 3 and died on Oct. 1 at Oregon Health & Science University Hospital. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,076th COVID-19 related death is a 53-year-old woman from Union County who tested positive on July 30 and died on Aug. 8 at Grande Ronde Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,077th COVID-19 related death is a 66-year-old man from Union County who tested positive on Sept. 27 and died on Oct. 11 at Grande Ronde Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,078th COVID-19 related death is a 52-year-old woman from Union County who tested positive on Sept. 15 and died on Oct. 9 at Grande Ronde Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,079th COVID-19 related death is a 76-year-old woman from Umatilla County who tested positive on Sept. 30 and died on Oct. 6 at Good Shepherd Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,080th COVID-19 related death is a 72-year-old man from Umatilla County who tested positive on Aug. 31 and died on Oct. 2 at his residence. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,081st COVID-19 related death is a 77-year-old man from Umatilla County who tested positive on Nov. 20, 2020 and died on Dec. 5, 2020 at his residence. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,082nd COVID-19 related death is a 58-year-old man from Tillamook County who tested positive on Sept. 8 and died on Oct. 5 at OHSU Hillsboro Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,083rd COVID-19 related death is an 85-year-old man from Washington County who tested positive on Sept. 24 and died on Oct. 7 at Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,084th COVID-19 related death is a 57-year-old man from Washington County who tested positive on Sept. 17 and died on Sept. 27 at Oregon Health & Science University Hospital. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon updates non-viable vaccine disclosure^1,2,3

OHA’s non-viable vaccine table has been moved to the Tableau dashboard. You can find the link to the weekly tab here. OHA reports updates on vaccines not being used each Tuesday in our daily media release.

¹Updated: 10/12/21 

²Data source: ALERT Immunization Information System (IIS)

³Data is preliminary and subject to change.

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations  

To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine situation in Oregon, visit our webpage (English or Spanish), which has a breakdown of distribution and other information

# # #

October 12, 2021

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, phd.communications@dhsoha.state.or.us

Recreational use advisory lifted for Ross Island Lagoon, Holgate Channel of Willamette River Oct. 12

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has lifted the recreational use health advisory issued for Ross Island Lagoon and the Holgate Channel in the Willamette River in Portland. These waters are in Multnomah County.

OHA issued the advisory on Aug 31.

Water monitoring has confirmed that the level of cyanotoxins in Ross Island Lagoon and the Holgate Channel are below recreational guideline values for people. However, levels detected are still above OHA’s educational guideline values for dogs, and owners should keep their pets away from these areas.

OHA advises recreational visitors to continually be alert to signs of cyanobacteria blooms. This is because blooms can develop and disappear on any water body at any time when bloom conditions are favorable. Be aware that only a fraction of waterbodies in Oregon are monitored for blooms and toxins, so it’s important for people to become familiar with signs of a bloom, exposures and symptoms by visiting OHA’s Cyanobacteria Harmful Algae Bloom website at http://www.healthoregon.org/hab.

When recreating, people and especially small children and pets should avoid areas where the water is foamy, scummy, thick like paint, pea-green or blue-green, or if thick brownish-red mats are visible or bright green clumps are suspended in the water. If you see these signs, avoid activities that cause you to swallow water or inhale droplets, such as swimming or high-speed water activities, and keep pets out of the area.

Cyanotoxins can still exist in clear water. When a bloom dies, toxins released may reach into clear water around the bloom. Blooms can be pushed into other areas, leaving behind the toxins released. There also are species of cyanobacteria that anchor themselves at the bottom of a water body, live in the sediment, or can grow on aquatic plants and release toxins into clear water.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482.

October 12, 2021

Contact: OHA External Relations, covid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us">orcovid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us

Oregon reports 1,413 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 82 new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — There are 82 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 4,084 the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 1,413 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 345,344.

Note: Today’s total marks the highest number of COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon reported in a single day. This is in part due to a death data reconciliation. 

Death is a lagging indicator and generally follows a surge in cases. In addition, there is often a lag in reporting as our epidemiologists review death certificates. OHA expects that reported deaths may continue to be high even as daily case counts decrease. This is due to the time lag between when a person tests positive for a case of COVID-19 and when they die with COVID-19.

The best way to reduce COVID-19 related deaths is by getting vaccinated. Safe, free and highly effective vaccines are widely available throughout Oregon.

Third doses and booster doses are also recommended for those who are eligible. Getting vaccinated is helping to bring the surge due to the Delta variant under control and can also reduce the likelihood of other variants emerging.

Health Care Workforce dashboard monthly data refresh now available

For October’s data refresh, the Health Care Workforce (HCW) dashboard now includes data up to Oct. 4, 2021. The health care workforce population for each Oregon county has also been added. As expected, vaccination rates continue to climb across all license boards and types for an overall vaccination rate of 82%.

Note: The Health Care Workforce dashboard does not represent the HCW population that needs to be vaccinated under the mandate announced on Aug. 10, 2021. Whether a health care worker falls under the mandate for vaccination can vary among license boards and types based on various circumstances or factors. OHA does not have specific data on the proportion of health care workers subject to the mandate.

COVID-19 hospitalizations

The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 585, which is 59 fewer than yesterday. There are 149 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is 21 fewer than yesterday.

There are 56 available adult ICU beds out of 682 total (8% availability) and 298 available adult non-ICU beds out of 4,117 (7% availability).

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.

Note: Please do not visit an emergency department for COVID-19 testing, unless you require emergency care for your symptoms.

Emergency departments in Oregon are under significant strain responding to the current surge in COVID-19. You can find a test here.  

If you have a medical condition that doesn’t require emergency care, contact your provider. An urgent care center may also help you get the care you need and will save emergency departments from added strain.  

More information about hospital capacity can be found here.

Vaccinations in Oregon

Today, OHA reported 10,629 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations were added to the state immunization registry on Oct. 11.

Of that total, 5,808 were administered on Oct. 11. There were 970 initial doses; 1,044 second doses and 3,771 third doses and booster doses. The remaining 5,808 were administered on previous days but were entered into the vaccine registry on Oct. 11.

The seven-day running average is now 10,352 doses per day.

Oregon has now administered 3,121,602 doses of Pfizer Comirnaty, 1,923,609 doses of Moderna and 221,073 doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.

As of today, 2,773,754 people have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 2,556,839 people have completed a COVID-19 vaccine series.

These data are preliminary and subject to change.

Updated vaccination data are provided on Oregon’s COVID-19 data dashboards and have been updated today.

Cases and deaths

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Benton (34), Clackamas (83), Clatsop (4), Columbia (14), Coos (34), Crook (63), Curry (3), Deschutes (92), Douglas (39), Gilliam (2), Grant (17), Harney (21), Hood River (9), Jackson (63), Jefferson (13), Josephine (24), Klamath (84), Lake (14), Lane (119), Lincoln (8), Linn (48), Malheur (45), Marion (112), Morrow (10), Multnomah (118), Polk (64), Sherman (2), Tillamook (3), Umatilla (96), Union (8), Wallowa (5), Wasco (28), Washington (83) and Yamhill (51).

More information about the cases and deaths will be provided in an updated news release.

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations  

To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine situation in Oregon, visit our webpage (English or Spanish), which has a breakdown of distribution and other information

# # #

October 12, 2021

Media contact: Aria Seligmann, i.l.seligmann@dhsoha.state.or.us">ari.l.seligmann@dhsoha.state.or.us,

503-910-9239

Oregon Consumer Advisory Council recruiting new members

The Oregon Health Authority’s Office of Consumer Activities is pleased to announce a recruitment for openings on the Oregon Consumer Advisory Council (OCAC). The recruitment is open to youth, parents of youth, and adults who have lived experience with mental health or addiction needs and who wish to advise the Oregon Health Authority on how to best provide behavioral health services that will increase access to care and improve treatment outcomes.

“The people who serve on the Consumer Advisory Council keep us informed and aware of issues that need to be addressed and how to address them,” said Office of Consumer Activities Director Brandy Hemsley. “People with lived experience provide the map to keep OHA moving in the right direction to achieve our goals of providing access to sustainable recovery and achieving health equity.”

The Office of Consumer Activities will host a virtual informational session about the council, what it’s like to be a member, and how to apply. The meeting is scheduled for Oct. 14 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Live Spanish and ASL interpretation will be available for this meeting.

More information about OCAC and applications for the committee can be found on the OCAC website.

Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, information session:

Join ZoomGov Meeting

https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1609755181?pwd=VUdrbEY0Vmt4UzRUbUFkdWJIZG5GQT09

Applications will be accepted between now and Oct. 25, 2021. For questions or support completing an application, please contact Brandy Hemsley at randy.l.hemsley@dhsoha.state.or.us">brandy.l.hemsley@dhsoha.state.or.us or 971-239-2942.

The Oregon State Marine Board will meet virtually via Microsoft Teams on October 27, beginning at 8:30 am. 

Agenda items include:

• Director’s Agency Report
• Goal 15, Amanda Punton, DLCD, Presentation
• NOAA ADV Grant Implementation Report
• 2021 Legislative Session Review and Agency Implementation of Bills
• Legislative Concept Work Session, Board Discussion and Direction
• Mini-Jet Boats, Informational
• Lower Willamette River Rule and Use Evaluation, Informational
• On-Boarding Guide Annual Update, Board Approval

Written public comment will be accepted until 5:00 pm on October 22 and can be emailed to .cooper@oregon.gov">jennifer.cooper@oregon.gov or by U.S. Mail to Oregon State Marine Board, Attn: Jennifer Cooper, 435 Commercial St NE Ste 400 Salem, OR 97301. Verbal comments will be accepted during the public comment portion at the beginning of the virtual meeting. If you would like to provide oral testimony during the meeting, register with Jennifer Cooper, .cooper@oregon.gov">jennifer.cooper@oregon.gov, no later than October 22 at 5:00 pm. 

To view the agenda and Board materials, visit https://www.oregon.gov/osmb/info/Pages/Board-and-Public-Meetings.aspx. Viewing on Teams may require the installation of a free Teams app for mobile devices.

###

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Advisory Committee will meet October 26-28 via online meeting to evaluate grant applications from around the state for projects to develop, improve or expand trails and their facilities. Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) administers this federally funded grant program. 

The meeting is open to the public but there will not be time for public comments during the meeting. The committee will evaluate 28 applications over the three days. 

View the agenda for a list of project proposals and link to the online meeting at oregon.gov/oprd/GRA/Documents/RTP-Grant-Meeting-October-2021.pdf.  

The RTP Advisory Committee will submit recommendations to the Oregon State Parks Commission for review and approval at their November meeting. OPRD will then forward approved project proposals to the Federal Highway Administration for final approval. 

The RTP Advisory Committee consists of 10 volunteer members who represent various user groups and land managers. Eligible RTP applicants include state agencies, federal land management agencies, tribal governments, non-profit organizations, cities, counties and park and recreation districts.

RTP is an assistance program of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration. The program provides funds to states to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both nonmotorized and motorized trail uses, including hiking, bicycling, in-line skating, equestrian use, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle riding and four-wheel driving or using other off-road motorized vehicles.

For more information, contact Jodi Bellefeuille, Program Coordinator, at 503-856-6316 or ellefeuille@oregon.gov">Jodi.bellefeuille@oregon.gov, or visit the RTP webpage on the OPRD website. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2021

DOUGLAS COUNTY COVID-19 UPDATE #641

(Douglas County, Ore.) A QUICK LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, AS OF FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2021

Our COVID quick look includes the total number of new cases in Douglas County, which combines people with positive test results and presumptives. We follow the CDC definition for fully vaccinated, which states that a fully vaccinated person is someone who has received both doses of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine, or one dose of a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine and at least 14 days have passed since the individual’s final dose.

As of 12:00 pm today, Friday, October 15, 2021, there are FORTY-SIX (46) people with new positive test results, ONE (1) new presumptive and ONE (1) new COVID-19 related death to report, bringing the total number of cases of people with positive test results and presumptives in Douglas County to 11,813. Currently, there are THIRTY-SIX (36) Douglas County COVID-19 patients that are being hospitalized, twenty-three locally and thirteen out-of-the-area, including one that has been transferred out of the state for specialized care not available here. We continue to work with Mercy to provide information on our COVID patients being hospitalized locally: 6 COVID positive patients are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and 2 are in the Progressive Care Unit (PCU).  17% of the total hospitalized patients at Mercy are COVID positive. Of our hospitalized patients today, THIRTY-THREE (33) of the 36 patients are not fully vaccinated. 

Our COVID case update includes the total number of cases in Douglas County, which combines people with positive test results and presumptives, as well as a breakout of those case numbers. There will be times when a presumptive will move to a positive test result, and our total case number will not change because the case has already been counted. 

On Thursday, October 14, 2021, at 12:00 pm we had FORTY (40) people with new positive test results and ONE (1) new presumptive to report bringing our total number of cases of people with positive test results and presumptives in Douglas County to 11,766.  We had FORTY-TWO (42) Douglas County COVID-19 patients hospitalized, thirty locally and twelve out-of-the-area, including one patient that has been transferred out of the state for specialized care not available here. We continue to work with Mercy to provide information on our COVID patients being hospitalized locally: 6 COVID positive patients are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and 3 are in the Progressive Care Unit (PCU). 19% of the total hospitalized patients at Mercy are COVID positive. Of our hospitalized cases on Thursday, October 14, 2021, THIRTY-NINE (39) of the 42 patients were not fully vaccinated.

Douglas County Public Health has confirmed the death of one more Douglas County residents related to the COVID-19 virus. Our two hundred and forty-first COVID-19 related death was a 68-year-old woman who was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Thursday, September 9, 2021 and passed away on Thursday, October 7, 2021. She was not vaccinated.  In the interest of privacy for the loved ones of this resident, and as our ethical responsibility to follow all medical laws, no additional information will be released.  We thoroughly scrutinize and investigate all deaths, and review all medical records to make sure that everyone we report has met the requirements for a COVID related death, as per the Oregon Disease Investigative Guidelines for COVID-19.  Each death related to COVID-19 is painful for all Douglas County residents, and a sad reminder of the terrible impact COVID-19 has had in our local communities. The Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Dr. Dannenhoffer, DPHN and the DCCRT team extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to all family members, friends, relatives, co-workers and community members of those who have passed after contracting this deadly virus.

Just a reminder that the traveling COVID-19 vaccination and testing clinic is up and running in Roseburg and offering drive-through COVID-19 vaccinations, COVID-19 PCR testing and COVID-19 booster/3rd vaccine dose for those who are eligible.  Additionally, thanks to the efforts of DPHN and Aviva Health, they also have annual flu shots available. 

The Roseburg COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Clinic is open from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm and will run through Friday, October 22, 2021.  The drive-through clinic is located in the parking lot (1530 NE Diamond Lake Blvd) at the corner of NE Fowler Street and Diamond Lake Blvd (Hwy 138), adjacent to the Roseburg Public Library in downtown Roseburg. Please note: The Roseburg clinic is closed on Mondays.

The clinic is brought to you by the Douglas County Board of Commissioners and Douglas Public Health Network (DPHN) in collaboration with Aviva Health, the City of Reedsport, Lower Umpqua Hospital District, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency. 

The drive-through COVID-19 Mobile Vaccination and Testing Clinic offers:

• No pre-registration required.  Vaccinations and testing are provided on a first come-first served basis
• Vaccines and testing are open to anyone 12-years-of-age and older.  Please note for residents ages 12 to 14, this will require a parent or guardian to accompany them and give written consent for the vaccine.  Under Oregon law, minors 15 years of age and older may consent to medical treatment, including vaccinations, when provided by a licensed medical professional; however, families are encouraged to make decisions about vaccinations together.
• First and second doses of the Pfizer and Moderna Vaccines.
• Single doses of Johnson and Johnson Vaccine. 
• COVID-19 PCR testing.  This test is not a rapid test, and results will be returned in 3-4 business days. 
• Pfizer COVID-19 Booster/3rd vaccine dose for eligible residents.  According to the CDC and OHA: People ages 65 and older, as well as people ages 18 to 64 with underlying health conditions or that work in occupations or in institutional settings that put them at higher risk of COVID-19 exposure and transmission are eligible for a booster/3rd vaccine dose. These include: health care workers, first responders, firefighters, law enforcement, congregate care staff, teachers, school support staff, daycare workers, food/agriculture workers, manufacturing workers, corrections staff, U.S. Postal Service employees, public transit workers and grocery store workers.
• Plus, we will have annual Flu Shots available. 

For more information about the traveling clinics, please call our Douglas County COVID-19 Hotline at (541) 464-6550. 

The Federal and State Governments, and their agencies are the ones that set policy, issue mandates and provide the guidelines for a state of emergency like the current COVID pandemic. For information log onto U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).  If you have questions about the current guidelines, mandates or the recommendations, please contact them directly for more information. OHA posts their daily updates at www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus. Please do not call 911, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office or Douglas County Offices to report issues with the State of Oregon, OHA or the Governor’s mandates.  

💻 Local Online Access to Updates: Stay up to date with accurate and local COVID-19 information by visiting the Douglas County Government Website or DCGOV Facebook page or the DPHN Website or DPHN Facebook page.  

📝 Free Local e-Newsletter Subscription: You can also sign up for the free Douglas County e-Newsletter that publishes and sends out the update to our subscription base. Log onto: www.co.douglas.or.us. 

📞 Douglas County COVID-19 Hotline (541) 464-6550: Your Douglas County Board of Commissioners and DPHN continue to offer a local resource hotline for Douglas County residents for COVID-19. The hotline provides answers to frequently asked questions, basic COVID information and referrals to local resources and services. Our local hotline number is (541) 464-6550 and is staffed from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 7 days a week. 

🔍 DPHN Vaccine Information: Want more information on the vaccines? Log onto: http://DougCoVaccine.com.

🔍 DPHN Informational Videos: Check out DPHN’s YouTube Channel for informational videos about COVID-19.

🐯 Douglas County Tiger Team: The Tiger Team organizes our county-wide COVID-19 vaccine program via free pop-up vaccine clinics, with Umpqua Valley Ambulance, who provide a certified vaccinator and medical assistant.  The clinics are open to anyone 18 years of age and older, and preregistration is not required. Click here for the calendar of upcoming clinics or call (541) 670-3110 or (541) 464-6550, if you are interested in having team come to your location.

👩‍⚕️ Aviva Health:  Aviva is offering fee-based leisure COVID-19 testing at its drive-through testing clinic at located at  4221 NE Stephens Street, Suite 101A, in Roseburg, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 11:30 am and 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm to individuals who require a negative test for travel, public events such as college football games, return to work, and other non-medically necessary purposes. Rapid BINAX tests are $60, and PCR tests are $35. Aviva Health continues to offer no- and low-cost COVID-19 tests to people with symptoms by billing their insurance or for uninsured individuals charging on an income-based, sliding-fee scale. Testing is by appointment only. Community members may schedule a testing appointment by calling (541) 492-2067.  They continue to offer free drive-through COVID-19 vaccination services to patients and non-patients.  Patients must be Douglas County residents and be 12 years of age or older.  Vaccinations are also available on a limited basis at Aviva Health’s outlying clinics in North County, Sutherlin, Glide, and Myrtle Creek. People seeking vaccinations at their outlying clinics should call (541) 672-9596, to determine availability. For more information please visit www.aviva.health/covid-19-resources/.  Aviva also has an online COVID FAQ page with answers to frequently asked questions. 

🏥 Lower Umpqua Hospital District: Lower Umpqua Hospital District has a COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center for COVID-19 vaccine information in the Reedsport area. Call (541) 271-2175, Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.

👨‍⚕️ Cow Creek Health and Wellness Center: Effective Tuesday, October 12, 2021, Cow Creek Health and Wellness Center will no longer offer community testing. Testing will be available by appointment only for Cow Creek Health and Wellness Center patients, Tribal Members, employees of Cow Creek Government Offices and affiliated businesses at the new Roseburg Clinic at 2589 NW Edenbower Blvd and the South Clinic in Canyonville at 480 Wartahoo Lane. Free Community Vaccinations: COVID Vaccines are administered via drive-thru clinics Monday through Friday ONLY in Roseburg at 2360 NE Stephens Street from 9:00 am to 3:45 pm. The last vaccine will be administered at 3:45 pm. You must be 18 years or older to receive the vaccine. If you are waiting to receive a COVID Booster from Cow Creek Public Health and received vaccines from them previously, they will call you to schedule your booster when you become eligible based on FDA approval.  

🏥 Roseburg VA Health Care System: Veterans can set up an appointment COVID-19 vaccine, by calling the Roseburg VAMC at (541) 440-1000.

👵 Douglas County Senior Services can help seniors with questions, find testing and vaccines at (541) 440-3677.

Please note for residents ages 12 to 14, this will require a parent or guardian to accompany them and give written consent for the vaccine.  Written consent can also be obtained in advance. Under Oregon law, minors 15 years of age and older may consent to medical treatment, including vaccinations, when provided by a physician, physician assistant, naturopath, nurse practitioner, dentist or optometrist, or other professionals operating under the license of these providers; however, families are encouraged to make decisions about vaccinations together.

###

Contact Tamara Howell, Douglas County Public Information Officer & Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist | Phone: (541) 670-2804 | Cell: (541) 957-4896 | Email: tjhowell@co.douglas.or.us 

Contact Vanessa Becker, Public Information Officer, Douglas Public Health Network – Cell: (541) 817-6552 – Email: vanessa@douglaspublichealthnetwork.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2021

DOUGLAS COUNTY COVID-19 UPDATE #640

(Douglas County, Ore.) A QUICK LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, AS OF WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2021

Our COVID quick look includes the total number of new cases in Douglas County, which combines people with positive test results and presumptives. We follow the CDC definition for fully vaccinated, which states that a fully vaccinated person is someone who has received both doses of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine, or one dose of a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine and at least 14 days have passed since the individual’s final dose.

As of 12:00 pm today, Wednesday, October 13, 2021, there are FORTY-SIX (46) people with new positive test results and TWO (2) new COVID-19 related deaths to report, bringing the total number of cases of people with positive test results and presumptives in Douglas County to 11,725. Currently, there are FORTY-ONE (41) Douglas County COVID-19 patients that are being hospitalized, twenty-nine locally and twelve out-of-the-area, including one that has been transferred out of the state for specialized care not available here. We continue to work with Mercy to provide information on our COVID patients being hospitalized locally: 6 COVID positive patients are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and 5 are in the Progressive Care Unit (PCU).  17% of the total hospitalized patients at Mercy are COVID positive. Of our hospitalized patients today, THIRTY-EIGHT (38) of the 41 patients are not fully vaccinated. 

Our COVID case update includes the total number of cases in Douglas County, which combines people with positive test results and presumptives, as well as a breakout of those case numbers. There will be times when a presumptive will move to a positive test result, and our total case number will not change because the case has already been counted. 

On Tuesday, October 12, 2021, at 12:00 pm we had FORTY-TWO (42) people with new positive test results and TWO (2) new COVID-19 related deaths to report bringing our total number of cases of people with positive test results and presumptives in Douglas County to 11,679. We had FORTY-ONE (41) Douglas County COVID-19 patients hospitalized, twenty-six locally and fifteen out-of-the-area, including one patient that has been transferred out of the state for specialized care not available here. We continue to work with Mercy to provide information on our COVID patients being hospitalized locally: 5 COVID positive patients are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and 4 are in the Progressive Care Unit (PCU). 19% of the total hospitalized patients at Mercy are COVID positive. Of our hospitalized cases on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, THIRTY-EIGHT (38) of the 41 patients were not fully vaccinated.

Douglas County Public Health has confirmed the deaths of four more Douglas County residents related to the COVID-19 virus.  Our two hundred and thirty-seventh COVID-19 related death was an 84-year-old woman who was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Monday, September 20, 2021 and passed away on Friday, October 8, 2021. She was fully vaccinated.  Our two hundred and thirty-eighth COVID-19 related death was a 72-year-old woman who was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Thursday, September 16, 2021 and passed away on Saturday, September 18, 2021. We were notified by Oregon Vital Records on Monday, October 11, 2021. She was not vaccinated.  Our two hundred and thirty-ninth COVID-19 related death was a 73-year-old man who was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 and passed away on Sunday, October 3, 2021. He was not vaccinated.  Our two hundred and fortieth COVID-19 related death was a 60-year-old woman who was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Sunday, August 29, 2021 and passed away on Tuesday, October 12, 2021. She was not vaccinated. In the interest of privacy for the loved ones of these residents, and as our ethical responsibility to follow all medical laws, no additional information will be released.  We thoroughly scrutinize and investigate all deaths, and review all medical records to make sure that everyone we report has met the requirements for a COVID related death, as per the Oregon Disease Investigative Guidelines for COVID-19.  Each death related to COVID-19 is painful for all Douglas County residents, and a sad reminder of the terrible impact COVID-19 has had in our local communities. The Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Dr. Dannenhoffer, DPHN and the DCCRT team extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to all family members, friends, relatives, co-workers and community members of those who have passed after contracting this deadly virus.

Just a reminder that the traveling COVID-19 vaccination and testing clinic is up and running in Roseburg and offering drive-through COVID-19 vaccinations, COVID-19 PCR testing and COVID-19 booster/3rd vaccine dose for those who are eligible.  Additionally, thanks to the efforts of DPHN and Aviva Health, they also have annual flu shots available. 

The Roseburg COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Clinic is open from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm and will run through Friday, October 22, 2021.  The drive-through clinic is located in the parking lot (1530 NE Diamond Lake Blvd) at the corner of NE Fowler Street and Diamond Lake Blvd (Hwy 138), adjacent to the Roseburg Public Library in downtown Roseburg. Please note: The Roseburg clinic is closed on Mondays.

The clinic is brought to you by the Douglas County Board of Commissioners and Douglas Public Health Network (DPHN) in collaboration with Aviva Health, the City of Reedsport, Lower Umpqua Hospital District, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency. 

The drive-through COVID-19 Mobile Vaccination and Testing Clinic offers:

• No pre-registration required.  Vaccinations and testing are provided on a first come-first served basis
• Vaccines and testing are open to anyone 12-years-of-age and older.  Please note for residents ages 12 to 14, this will require a parent or guardian to accompany them and give written consent for the vaccine.  Under Oregon law, minors 15 years of age and older may consent to medical treatment, including vaccinations, when provided by a licensed medical professional; however, families are encouraged to make decisions about vaccinations together.
• First and second doses of the Pfizer and Moderna Vaccines.
• Single doses of Johnson and Johnson Vaccine. 
• COVID-19 PCR testing.  This test is not a rapid test, and results will be returned in 3-4 business days. 
• Pfizer COVID-19 Booster/3rd vaccine dose for eligible residents.  According to the CDC and OHA: People ages 65 and older, as well as people ages 18 to 64 with underlying health conditions or that work in occupations or in institutional settings that put them at higher risk of COVID-19 exposure and transmission are eligible for a booster/3rd vaccine dose. These include: health care workers, first responders, firefighters, law enforcement, congregate care staff, teachers, school support staff, daycare workers, food/agriculture workers, manufacturing workers, corrections staff, U.S. Postal Service employees, public transit workers and grocery store workers.
• Plus, we will have annual Flu Shots available.

For more information about the traveling clinics, please call our Douglas County COVID-19 Hotline at (541) 464-6550. 

The Federal and State Governments, and their agencies are the ones that set policy, issue mandates and provide the guidelines for a state of emergency like the current COVID pandemic. For information log onto U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).  If you have questions about the current guidelines, mandates or the recommendations, please contact them directly for more information. OHA posts their daily updates at www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus. Please do not call 911, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office or Douglas County Offices to report issues with the State of Oregon, OHA or the Governor’s mandates.  

💻 Local Online Access to Updates: Stay up to date with accurate and local COVID-19 information by visiting the Douglas County Government Website or DCGOV Facebook page or the DPHN Website or DPHN Facebook page.  

📝 Free Local e-Newsletter Subscription: You can also sign up for the free Douglas County e-Newsletter that publishes and sends out the update to our subscription base. Log onto: www.co.douglas.or.us. 

📞 Douglas County COVID-19 Hotline (541) 464-6550: Your Douglas County Board of Commissioners and DPHN continue to offer a local resource hotline for Douglas County residents for COVID-19. The hotline provides answers to frequently asked questions, basic COVID information and referrals to local resources and services. Our local hotline number is (541) 464-6550 and is staffed from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 7 days a week. 

🔍 DPHN Vaccine Information: Want more information on the vaccines? Log onto: http://DougCoVaccine.com.

🔍 DPHN Informational Videos: Check out DPHN’s YouTube Channel for informational videos about COVID-19.

🐯 Douglas County Tiger Team: The Tiger Team organizes our county-wide COVID-19 vaccine program via free pop-up vaccine clinics, with Umpqua Valley Ambulance, who provide a certified vaccinator and medical assistant.  The clinics are open to anyone 18 years of age and older, and preregistration is not required. Click here for the calendar of upcoming clinics or call (541) 670-3110 or (541) 464-6550, if you are interested in having team come to your location.

👩‍⚕️ Aviva Health:  Aviva is offering fee-based leisure COVID-19 testing at its drive-through testing clinic at located at  4221 NE Stephens Street, Suite 101A, in Roseburg, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 11:30 am and 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm to individuals who require a negative test for travel, public events such as college football games, return to work, and other non-medically necessary purposes. Rapid BINAX tests are $60, and PCR tests are $35. Aviva Health continues to offer no- and low-cost COVID-19 tests to people with symptoms by billing their insurance or for uninsured individuals charging on an income-based, sliding-fee scale. Testing is by appointment only. Community members may schedule a testing appointment by calling (541) 492-2067.  They continue to offer free drive-through COVID-19 vaccination services to patients and non-patients.  Patients must be Douglas County residents and be 12 years of age or older.  Vaccinations are also available on a limited basis at Aviva Health’s outlying clinics in North County, Sutherlin, Glide, and Myrtle Creek. People seeking vaccinations at their outlying clinics should call (541) 672-9596, to determine availability. For more information please visit www.aviva.health/covid-19-resources/.  Aviva also has an online COVID FAQ page with answers to frequently asked questions. 

🏥 Lower Umpqua Hospital District: Lower Umpqua Hospital District has a COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center for COVID-19 vaccine information in the Reedsport area. Call (541) 271-2175, Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.

👨‍⚕️ Cow Creek Health and Wellness Center: Effective Tuesday, October 12, 2021, Cow Creek Health and Wellness Center will no longer offer community testing. Testing will be available by appointment only for Cow Creek Health and Wellness Center patients, Tribal Members, employees of Cow Creek Government Offices and affiliated businesses at the new Roseburg Clinic at 2589 NW Edenbower Blvd and the South Clinic in Canyonville at 480 Wartahoo Lane. Free Community Vaccinations: COVID Vaccines are administered via drive-thru clinics Monday through Friday ONLY in Roseburg at 2360 NE Stephens Street from 9:00 am to 3:45 pm. The last vaccine will be administered at 3:45 pm. You must be 18 years or older to receive the vaccine. If you are waiting to receive a COVID Booster from Cow Creek Public Health and received vaccines from them previously, they will call you to schedule your booster when you become eligible based on FDA approval.  

🏥 Roseburg VA Health Care System: Veterans can set up an appointment COVID-19 vaccine, by calling the Roseburg VAMC at (541) 440-1000.

👵 Douglas County Senior Services can help seniors with questions, find testing and vaccines at (541) 440-3677.

Please note for residents ages 12 to 14, this will require a parent or guardian to accompany them and give written consent for the vaccine.  Written consent can also be obtained in advance. Under Oregon law, minors 15 years of age and older may consent to medical treatment, including vaccinations, when provided by a physician, physician assistant, naturopath, nurse practitioner, dentist or optometrist, or other professionals operating under the license of these providers; however, families are encouraged to make decisions about vaccinations together.

###

Contact Tamara Howell, Douglas County Public Information Officer & Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist | Phone: (541) 670-2804 | Cell: (541) 957-4896 | Email: tjhowell@co.douglas.or.us 

Contact Vanessa Becker, Public Information Officer, Douglas Public Health Network – Cell: (541) 817-6552 – Email: vanessa@douglaspublichealthnetwork.org

The Lane County Circuit Court will be closed on Friday October 15, 2021 for a computer system upgrade.  

Online Services for Oregon's circuit courts, including OECI, will be unavailable from October 14, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. to October 19, 2021, at 4:00 a.m.  These services include: Online Records and Calendar Search, Oregon eCourt Case Information (OECI), ePayment, eCitation, Electronic Violations Bureau, and Online Juror Response Forms. 

The court will reopen on Monday October 19, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. 

For more information, see the Oregon Judicial Department Website www.courts.oregon.gov.

BEND, OR — In the fall of 2013, Bright Place Gallery in Bend debuted The 20-Dollar Art Show as a vehicle for artists to share their art with the public in a low-pressure setting where they could build confidence selling art. The Gallery did not take a commission. The artist kept 100 percent of sales and the art show was a success for all. 

Fast-forward to 2019. The annual show displayed more than 2,100 pieces of art from 120 local and regional artists, amateur and professional. On opening night, 900 pieces sold in three hours for $20 each. Like many beloved events, the COVID-19 pandemic put the brakes on the thriving local art show. Now, The 20-Dollar Art Show is returning and moving to the spacious gallery walls of the High Desert Museum. 

“We are thrilled to move this event to the Museum,” said Bright Place Gallery owner Stuart Breidenstein. “The 20-Dollar Art Show had grown beyond the walls of the Bright Place Gallery, and the Museum allows us the opportunity to make it bigger and better.”

At this year’s opening event on Saturday, October 30 beginning at 5:00 pm, participants will enter the High Desert Museum through the large meadow. The snaking line will allow for physical distancing, and face coverings will be required both inside and outside of the Museum. A limited number of participants will be allowed inside the Museum at a time to provide for adequate spacing indoors.

Participants will be required to show upon arrival proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours and a photo ID. Those under 12 years of age are welcome without a vaccination card or negative test.

Art lovers may begin lining up at the Museum’s meadow entrance at 4:00 pm. While guests wait, local poet and artist MOsley WOtta will MC the event, with special guest Killy Holiday. The event takes place the day before Halloween and participants are encouraged to wear costumes. Participants should come prepared for the elements, rain or shine.

Local artist Monica Helms has shown her colorful, impressionistic work since the show’s inception. She witnessed the show go from a handful of artists and patrons to hundreds of fellow art lovers and buyers waiting in long lines for their chance to view and purchase artwork.

“The 20-Dollar Art Show is pure inspiration and joy, the perfect catalyst for creativity and growth,” said Helms. “I'm so excited that the show is going to be at the High Desert Museum this year. It’s a perfect venue for an incredible community-inclusive art event. I couldn't think of a more perfect combo.”

Other popular local artists creating work for The 20-Dollar Art Show include Abby Dubief, Amanda Toms, Evan Namkung and more than 100 other local and regional artists.

Art will become available to take home starting Monday, November 1. Buyers may pick up their purchases during Museum hours, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm daily, through the show’s closing on Wednesday, November 10. Artwork is for sale throughout the duration of the show and each $20 piece directly supports the artist.

Tickets for The 20-Dollar Art Show Opening Night Party are available for $5 from the High Desert Museum at highdesertmuseum.org/20-art-show-opening-night-party. The 20-Dollar Art Show (highdesertmuseum.org/20-dollar-art-show) closes Wednesday, November 10.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM:

THE HIGH DESERT MUSEUM opened in Bend, Oregon in 1982. It brings together wildlife, cultures, art, history and the natural world to convey the wonder of North America’s High Desert. The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, is a Smithsonian Affiliate, was the 2019 recipient of the Western Museums Association’s Charles Redd Award for Exhibition Excellence and is a 2021 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. To learn more, visit highdesertmuseum.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

###

In celebration of Oregon Community Bank Week, Oregon Pacific Bank is holding free document shredding events in the communities of Florence, Coos Bay and Roseburg.

According to a 2019 Shred-it Fraud Awareness Week Report, more than a quarter (27%) of Americans do not shred paper or physical documents containing sensitive information before throwing them away at home. With identify fraud on the rise and now affecting millions of U.S. consumers, securely destroying documents that contain personal information is one of the best ways consumers can protect themselves from would-be identity thieves.

Oregon Pacific Bank invites community members to bring their confidential paper documents to be securely destroyed and recycled by an onsite mobile shredding truck. Business owners are being asked to wait to bring their documents until the last hour of the event.

Community shred event times and locations:

For more information, visit www.opbc.com  or contact Ellen Huntingdon at (541) 902-1509.

To find additional shred events hosted by Oregon community banks as part of Community Bank Week, visit www.oregonbankers.com/shred-events. 

About the Community Banks of Oregon

Community Banks of Oregon (CBO) serves banks headquartered in Oregon. The principal mission of CBO is to support and promote community banking in Oregon. CBO advocates for community banks, provides a forum to address issues unique to community banks, and promotes community banks through initiatives like Oregon Community Bank Week. For more information, please visit www.oregonbankers.com/local.