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

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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.