June 16, 2020

Over 100 additional COVID-19 cases were announced today in Union County by the Center for Human Development (CHD), bringing the county total to 240.  Of this total, seven have been listed as recovered.  Officials anticipate the number of confirmed cases will continue to increase as contact tracing, investigations, and additional tests are conducted.

The Union County Incident Management Team is in the process of finalizing details for a COVID-19 drive-through testing clinic Thursday, June 18 and Friday, June 19.  The clinic will prioritize testing needs of individuals identified through contact tracing and investigations; mission critical workers such as medical staff, fire and emergency medical services, and law enforcement.  Members of the general public wishing to be tested should contact the emergency operations center as indicated below to be screened for testing.  Oregon Health Authority testing criteria must be met in order to receive a COVID-19 test.  We will facilitate as many COVID-19 tests as possible, however if we are unable to schedule all necessary tests an additional clinic will be provided.

COVID-19 screeners will be working tomorrow to schedule appointments for the drive-through testing clinic.  Only individuals that have a scheduled appointment will be accepted.  If you have been selected for a COVID test, you will be contacted. Individuals who have been in direct contact with a COVID-19 confirmed case and have not yet been contacted are urged to call in tomorrow at (541) 963-1040 between the hours of 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm.  

Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 have been asked to isolate at home for a minimum of 14 days based on the presence of symptoms to prevent spread of the illness to others. If you have symptoms that are mild enough you would not typically seek medical treatment, stay home, rest, and monitor your symptoms.  If you think you have COVID-19 or have symptoms such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, and plan to visit your primary care provider, call them before you arrive. This will help to avoid exposing others at the provider facility. If your symptoms are severe enough that you need to visit the Emergency Room, call ahead of time or if you are requesting an ambulance, let dispatch know about your symptoms.  Keeping our healthcare providers and emergency responders healthy is critical to our success as a community.

Community members who do not feel comfortable going out into public should stay home if they are able.  If you must go out, remember to maintain a physical distance of at least six feet, wear a cloth face covering, and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently as well as when returning home.  With the virus so prolific in the community it is important that anyone with COVID-like symptoms stay home until the symptoms completely resolve.  COVID-19 symptoms currently include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.

Union County is currently remaining in Phase 2.  If you feel that your business or employees are at high risk due to the COVID outbreak, it is at your discretion whether you choose to stay open or modify business operations.  It is imperative that you follow Oregon Health Authority guidelines specific to your business.  The health and safety of employees, patrons, and the public are of utmost importance.  If you have COVID symptoms, please stay home.

For those interested in reviewing previous updates from the NE Oregon Joint Information Center, all documents can be now be viewed at https://neojic.unioncountyor.gov/.

The Joint Information Center will be open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. until further notice.

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