Month: September 2020

Malheur County Outbreaks

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Contact tracing will help slow the spread of COVID-19

With new outbreaks being reported in today’s OHA Weekly Report and cases rising in Malheur county and surrounding areas, it’s important to know what to do if you are in contact with a positive case. Learn more about it from the Oregon Health Authority here.

WHAT IS CONTACT TRACING AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Contact tracing means calling people who may have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 to provide guidance and support. It’s a key tool for preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. In Oregon, local public health authorities use contact tracing to prevent the spread of many types of diseases, like measles. Contact tracers help keep you healthy and slow the spread of COVID-19 by:

  • Talking with you about how to prevent the spread of the virus, including staying home or at the location provided by public health until the danger has passed. This is known as “quarantining.”
  • Providing health information on how to care for yourself and others if you start having symptoms.
  • Sharing resources available in your community that can support you while you quarantine.

COVID-19 Outbreaks reported in latest Weekly Report by Oregon Health Authority

  • Pioneer Place: 39 cases
  • Riverside Manor: 3 cases
  • Dorian Place Assisted Living: 23 cases
  • Wellsprings Assisted Living: 6 cases
  • Nyssa Gardens: 9 cases
  • Brookdale Assisted Living: 37 cases
  • Snake River Correctional Institution: 436 cases
  • Kraft Heinz Company: 20 cases
  • Walmart: 10 cases
  • Amalgamated Sugar: 9 cases
  • Oregon Child Development Center – Nyssa: 5 cases
  • Oregon Child Development Center – Ontario: 3 cases

There’s support for you and the people you love.

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COVID-19 has changed our lives, and it can feel difficult for anyone.

Oregon-based nonprofit Lines for Life and OHA have launched the Safe + Strong Helpline: 1-800-923-HELP (4357). The line offers emotional support and resources to anyone who is struggling and seeking support.

Callers do not need to be in a crisis to contact this line. Help is free and available 24/7. Language interpreters are available.

OHA has also expanded its Safe + Strong campaign to include behavioral health resources. A behavioral health landing page offers mental and emotional support information and resources as well as guidance for how to have conversations with loved ones who may be struggling.

Learn more and share the Safe+Strong Web Resources

Helpline: 1-800-923-HELP (4357)

Hiring Public Information Officer

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We’re hiring! Apply at the Malheur County website before the position closes October 11th. Qualified candidates will have a bachelor’s degree or satisfactory equivalent combination of education, training and experience in communications, public relations, behavioral sciences, marketing, business, and/or public administration. Please share this exciting opportunity for someone to join our team.

This position is assigned by the County Court to work directly with the County Health Department to effectively disseminate information about public health to the general public, media, outside agencies, community agencies and organizations within and when needed, outside of Malheur County. Research, assemble, write, edit and produce informative materials concerning Health Department issues, services, programs, and events and disseminate that material effectively using multiple methods of information distribution. Other duties as required, assigned and directed by the County Court.

Governor Kate Brown Announces Updates to the County Watch List

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News release September 18, 2020, edited to focus on Malheur County.

Governor Kate Brown announced last Friday that Umatilla and Morrow Counties have succeeded in reducing the spread of COVID-19 sufficiently enough to be removed from the County Watch List.

“I want to commend county officials and community members in Umatilla and Morrow Counties for stepping up and working together to reduce the spread of COVID-19,” said Governor Brown. “The progress they have made in curbing community transmission shows that we can reduce the spread of this disease if we all do our part by wearing face coverings, watching our physical distance, washing our hands, staying home when sick, and avoiding large gatherings.”

County Watch List

Counties are placed on the Watch List when COVID-19 is spreading quickly and public health officials cannot trace that spread to specific sources—creating a potentially dangerous dynamic. Specific markers of this rapid community spread include when there is a sporadic case rate of 50 or more per 100,000 people in the last two weeks and the county has had more than five sporadic cases in the last two weeks (sporadic cases are those that cannot be traced to a source; they indicate community spread). Counties remain on the Watch List for a minimum of three weeks and until their sporadic case rates drop below these thresholds.

The County Watch List allows the state to prioritize resources and assistance to counties that are seeing the broadest spread of COVID-19. When a county is placed on the Watch List, the Oregon Health Authority increases monitoring and communication, and deploys additional technical assistance and resources, such as epidemiological support, case investigation, and contact tracing help.

No counties have been added to the Watch List this week.

Malheur County

Malheur County remains on the County Watch List. While county officials and community members have been working hard to stem the spread of COVID-19, Malheur County faces particular challenges, including the county’s proximity to Idaho and the amount of travel back and forth across the state border. Idaho continues to have some of the highest rates of COVID-19 infections in the country, and the communities across the border from Malheur County are among the hardest hit by the virus. Bringing infection rates down in Malheur County will require state and local officials across the border to do their part as well.

The Oregon Health Authority continues to monitor the COVID-19 spread in Malheur County and remains in close communication with county officials. OHA will continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19 throughout the state, and stands ready to work with counties should any concerns arise. As noted in this week’s Weekly Report from OHA, new cases of COVID-19 declined in the last week, as did the state’s positivity rate––however the number of Oregonians tested also declined due to disruptions and delays caused by active wildfires.

Governor Brown added, “COVID-19 is still very much with us, and, together, all of us play a part in helping keep our friends, families, and neighbors safe and healthy. With cold and flu season approaching, it’s also a great time to get your flu shot, to help make sure our frontline health care workers have the bed capacity and resources they need to continue treating COVID-19 patients.”

Walk Through Wednesday

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Click to open flyer PDF.

Free, confidential peer support for at Walk Through Wednesdays outside Mallards every Wednesday from noon – 3 p.m. 797 North Oregon Street in Ontario. Share the Facebook Event here.

Get harm reduction resources such as care packages, safer use supplies, safer sex supplies, masks, and naloxone, the overdose reversal drug. Free rapid hepatitis C testing. Connection to resources, including substance use treatment.

You are not alone. How can we help you?

Learn more about the PRIME+ Program:

PRIME+ is a Peer Delivered Service program sponsored by the Oregon Health Authority.

October 14 Free COVID-19 Testing Event

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Click on flyer to download copy.

The Malheur County COVID-19 Taskforce, in partnership with Oregon Health Authority, and local community-based organizations, is proud to announce an upcoming large COVID-19 testing event. Free COVID-19 testing is available to individuals over age seven at the Malheur County Fairgrounds (795 NW 9th St, Ontario) on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This is the 13th and largest planned drive-up testing site organized by the Taskforce.

Flu shots will also be available at the drive-up testing site with limited supply to any Malheur County residents. The Flu Point of Distribution (POD) is for people without insurance who do not have flu or COVID-like symptoms. 

Eligibility

Testing at the Malheur Drive-Up Testing Sites is for any individual over age seven. No symptoms, registration, insurance, or documentation is required.

This testing option is not meant to replace or eliminate other testing offered by local healthcare providers. The goal is to supplement those options in order to ease some of the pressure on the existing system and make the process more accessible to the public. People still should contact their medical provider for guidance and assessment if they have symptoms such as fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath. For medical emergencies, they should call 911 and notify the dispatch personnel that you may have COVID-19.

Testing Procedure

Upon arrival at the Malheur County Fairgrounds testing site, individuals will be required to remain in their vehicles at all times. Each driver should drive cautiously and follow traffic directions. Individuals will be required to complete a screening form. All forms and service available in English and Spanish.

Personnel in full medical protective gear will check the individual’s temperature with a no-touch thermometer and use an oximeter to measure blood oxygen level. Personnel will give instruction on how to self-swab each nostril. The sample will be sent to a laboratory the following day and each person tested will receive a call with negative or positive test results within seven days.

Additional information on COVID-19, flu shots, and the testing site is available by calling the Malheur County Health Department at 541-889-7279.

COVID-19 Resources for Agricultural Workers and Employers

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Malheur County Health Department (MCHD) is committed to reducing inequalities and promoting precautions that will protect everyone in Malheur County. Agricultural workers are being hit tremendously hard by COVID-19 across Oregon and the nation. Please share the following resources with agricultural workers and employers and help keep a vital part of our community safe as COVID-19 continues to spread.

If you have symptoms or if you have had contact with a known COVID-19 case, please stay home and get tested. If you have insurance, call your health care provider to ask if you can be tested. If you are uninsured, call MCHD at 541-889-7279 to schedule a test.

Stay Informed and Share

What You Need to Know About COVID-19

For Agricultural Workers and Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers

For Agricultural Employers

In Malheur County, we are especially vulnerable to COVID-19. Many agricultural workers identify as Hispanic. People who identify as Hispanic make up 13% of the population of Oregon, yet represent 40% of cases. Idaho is reporting similar disparities. The Oregon public health response addresses disparities. Contact Tracers help to meet basic needs of those who are isolated or quarantined because of COVID-19, including connection to resources for food, wage support, and temporary housing when needed. Local Community Based Organizations and health care providers are also building trust, sharing culturally responsive resources in multiple languages, and providing wrap around services for those in need.

Malheur County COVID-19 Data Update

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Today, Malheur County reported its 20th death in someone with COVID-19 and surpassed 1,300 cases. Our thoughts are with those who are sick, those who are caring for are ill, and those who have lost someone during this pandemic.

The Malheur County Health Department (MCHD) strives to share as much COVID-19 case information as possible on the COVID-19 Cases page of our website and the COVID-19 Resources page for links to additional data sources. While some health departments do not share data separate from the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), MCHD has updated the daily case count and demographic case data since March 30th, when the first case was reported in Malheur County. The COVID-19 Cases page reports total positive and presumptive case counts, negative and total test counts, percent of tests reported positive over time and within the last week, last and past three week number of cases, daily number of new cases, deaths, presumed to be recovered, age and sex of cases, number currently hospitalized, number of tests completed by week, and the rate of cases.

While we want to report on information that will keep our community informed, more information is available by referring to the frequently updated OHA Data Dashboards and Data Reports, including Daily Update, Weekly COVID-19 Report, Weekly Testing Summary, OHP Enrollment, Pediatric COVID-19 Report, Epidemic Trends and Projections, School Metrics, and County Watch List Data. Previous reports can be found here. Data Dashboards include Oregon COVID-19 Update, Case and Testing Counts Statewide, Case Demographics and Disease Severity Statewide, Testing and Outcomes by County, Hospital Capacity, and Public Health Indicators.

The Weekly COVID-19 Report is an excellent way to get an overview at the county and state level each Wednesday. The latest report can be found on the OHA COVID-19 website under the heading “Situation in Oregon.” The Weekly Reports identify outbreaks and cases by zip code, as covered in a recent post on malheurhealth.org.

With so much data to evaluate, it’s important to keep in mind why the data is important. We need the public to be informed and know the current risk of COVID-19 around them to keep themselves and others safe. Everyone in Malheur County should follow these simple steps can save lives by to slowing the spread of COVID-19:

  • Follow the statewide requirement to wear a face covering when in indoor public spaces and outdoors when six feet of distance cannot be maintained.
  • Limit social gatherings to groups of 10 indoors and 25 outdoors.
  • Wash your hands often with running water and soap for 20 seconds.
  • If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes using your sleeve or a tissue, not your bare hand.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Stay home and away from the rest of your household if you’re feeling sick.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Quarantine according to public health direction if you are in close contact with a known case.
  • Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces that are frequently touched surfaces at home and at work, including your mobile devices.
  • Pregnant women should visit the CDC’s website for the most current guidance.
  • Breastfeeding women should visit Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine for the most current guidance.

MCHD officials also ask that the public stay informed and educated through trustworthy sources of information, such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Safe + Strong Oregon. 

Malheur County COVID-19 Outbreaks Update

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COVID-19 has spread throughout Oregon and multiple outbreaks have been identified in Malheur County. Case Investigators from the Malheur County Health Department are working with individuals and businesses to identify and isolate people who are sick. We are working diligently every day to find out who may have been in close contact with people who were recently infected with COVID-19. The disease can spread to those who have not been exposed before signs of illness appear. Those who have COVID-19 but never show signs of illness can also spread the illness to others. Individuals who have been in close contact will be asked to stay home to prevent unintentional spread to others.

We know that staying home from work can create hardships for some. Local and state health officials are working with community partners and service providing agencies to coordinate wrap around services for those asked to remain home. If you know someone who is following our request, thank them for their sacrifice and for doing their part to keep others safe.  

With 1,118 cases and 19 deaths to date, COVID-19 continues to impact the people in Malheur County. Our thoughts are with those who have experienced losses. We want to be safe and healthy and to support those in our community who need help. Stay up to date by checking the COVID-19 Cases page for case numbers and demographics. It will take everyone doing their part to keep their neighbors safe to reduce the number of losses in our community. Learn more below about outbreaks and what to do to protect yourself and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

FAQ: COVID-19 Outbreaks in Workplaces

Business Outbreaks in Malheur County

(OHA COVID-19 Weekly Report August 26, 2020)

  • Riverside Manor: 3 cases
  • Dorian Place Assisted Living: 23 cases
  • Wellsprings Assisted Living: 4 cases
  • Brookdale Assisted Living: 37 cases
  • Snake River Correctional Institution: 256 cases
  • Kraft Heinz Company: 18 cases
  • Walmart: 10 cases
  • Amalgamated Sugar: 6 cases
  • Oregon Child Development: 6 cases

Malheur County on State Watch List

(Data Report through August 22, 2020)

  • Sporadic case rate per 100,000: 502.64 (highest in state)
  • Case rate per 100,000: 792.98 (highest in state)

Cases by ZIP Code

(Rate is per 100,000 people)

  • 97913 Nyssa: 180 cases, rate 3256.7
  • 97914 Ontario: 894 cases, rate 4655.0
  • 97918 Vale: 76, rate 1675.1
  • Total cases statewide for ZIP codes with less than 1,000 people: 500

Know the risk of your activities

We all can help stop the spread of COVID-19. Before you start your daily activities, ask yourself four questions to figure out how risky the situation is.

  • Who is involved?
    • Fewer people means your chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 are low.
  • Where will you be?
    • Private spaces like your home or backyard are less risky than crowded places with many people.
  • How close will you be to people who don’t live with you?
    • There’s less risk if you can stay at least 6 feet away from people who don’t live with you.
  • How long will you be around people who don’t live with you?
    • Spend more time with people who live with you; it’s less risky than spending time with people who don’t.

Be prepared by creating a plan

Help your household stay safe by creating a plan that includes these steps:

  • Make sure everyone has a face covering they can use when they leave the house.
  • Assign one person to go to the grocery store no more than once per week.
  • Disinfect surfaces that are used often — like door knobs, car doors, steering wheels, and phones.
  • Know the symptoms of COVID-19 and the phone number of a doctor or community health worker you can call if someone gets sick. If you don’t have a doctor, call 211.
  • Have a plan so that if someone at home gets sick, they can be as separated as possible from others.

Wear a face mask

Remember, there’s statewide guidance on wearing a mask or face covering when you leave home for daily activities. Find more information about what type of face covering to wear here and follow the tips below.

  • DO wear a cloth face covering in public to help protect people around you. If you have COVID-19 but do not have symptoms, you can still infect others around you.
  • DO wear a face covering at home if you have symptoms or are taking care of a person who might be sick.
  • DO make a cloth face covering at home from household items or common materials at low cost.
  • DO make sure your face covering covers both your nose and mouth, fits snugly enough to stay secure but still allows you to breathe.
  • DO wash your cloth face covering every day or after each use, with warm water and soap. If it is single-use, dispose as soon as it is damp.
  • DO continue to maintain six-feet of space from other people and wash your hands frequently
  • DON’T use cloth face coverings on children younger than 2 years of age or anyone who has trouble breathing.
  • DON’T touch your face while wearing a face covering.