Wednesday, the Oregon Health Authority launched a new website (oregon.gov/positivecovidtest) that includes what to do if you test positive for COVID-19, if you have been exposed, and how to seek resources if you’re isolating at home and need support.

The new COVID-19 Case Support Hotline at 866-917-8881 will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday (times are Mountain Time).

The state is also moving to an “opt-in” model for investigating some COVID-19 cases. People can report their positive at-home test result through the online survey linked at oregon.gov/positivecovidtest, or get help completing the survey through the hotline.

While we don’t require individuals to report their at-home test results, we highly recommend people to do so, and to let close contacts know about potential exposure. Hospitals, health care providers, labs and local public health authorities are required to report test results.

In Malheur County, this means people with a positive test result may not hear from a case investigator. Because of the surge in cases, and the new guidance from OHA, Malheur County is prioritizing cases of people who are at high risk, or live or work in high-risk settings, as described below.

Today’s launch follows an OHA decision to revise guidelines for investigating COVID-19 cases to focus less on interviewing individual cases and conducting contact tracing, and more on outbreaks in high-risk settings, such as those in congregate care, health care, K-12 education and food chain industries.

To learn more, visit our blog: http://covidblog.oregon.gov/test-positive-new-website…/