COVID-19
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On March 8, 2020, Gov. Kate Brown declared a state of emergency to address the spread of COVID-19 in Oregon. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) serves as the lead agency for the public health response. OHA is working with Gov. Brown and local public health officials to monitor and suppress COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations and reduce the health and economic impacts and disparities that have stemmed from the COVID-19 pandemic in Oregon.
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AIR QUALITY IN THE PORTLAND METRO AREA - 9/23/2020 - 12:00PM
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Source: www.airnow.gov
You may be eligible for help with paying for rent, utilities, child care, or other benefits... Read More
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Oregon's coronavirus infection rate has flatlined, state officials say. But if that trend doesn't begin to decline... Read More
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Paid leave available for COVID-19 quarantine or isolation
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Do you have to quarantine or isolate because of COVID-19 but don’t have paid time off?
A new program starts this week to help people who work in Oregon and need to quarantine or isolate due to COVID-19 exposure, but do not have access to COVID-19-related paid sick leave. The COVID-19 Temporary Paid Leave Program was created with $30 million received from the federal government to help Oregon respond to the coronavirus pandemic. People who qualify will receive a $120 per-day payment for up to 10 working days ($1,200 total) for the time they are required quarantine. Employees can apply online starting today at oregon.gov/covidpaidleave. The application form is available in English, Spanish, and Russian. Those who do not have access to electronic applications can call 833-685-0850 (toll-free) or 503-947-0130. Those who need help in a language other than these three can call 503-947-0131 for help. |
The Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) and the Department of Revenue are collaborating on the new program to ensure employees meet the necessary eligibility requirements. To see if you meet them, take this eligibility quiz, or see the requirements on the DCBS site.
Because the available funds are limited, the program is available only to quarantine periods that were in place on or after Sept. 16. Applicants can claim only one quarantine period.
Because the available funds are limited, the program is available only to quarantine periods that were in place on or after Sept. 16. Applicants can claim only one quarantine period.
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Multnomah Co. says 'NO ONE should be outside' with air quality rated hazardousPortland, Oregon — Multnomah County announced Monday morning, 9/14/2020, saying "NO ONE should be outside" due to the hazardous air quality in the region.
The county is asking employers and workers to not work outside Monday. If absolutely necessary, they say to be sure to use an N95 mask, take breaks, and drink water... Read More |
Stay on high alert during fire threat
This week, Oregon is facing an unprecedented threat from wildfires in all areas of the state. The state’s number one priority right now is saving lives as we fight more than 35 fires, burning 300,000+ acres across the state. Winds continue to fuel them. Places not burning now still face the worst fire condition risks in 30 years: Dry air, dry brush and hot winds. Everyone must be on high alert.Pay attention to directions from firefighters, local officials and emergency responders. If you are asked to evacuate, do so immediately. Your choices could save lives.
Stay informed and stay safe. Follow evacuation orders and learn more at https://wildfire.oregon.gov.
Stay informed and stay safe. Follow evacuation orders and learn more at https://wildfire.oregon.gov.
WILDFIRE SMOKE AND COVID-19
With air quality very poor across the state due to wildfires, we want to remind you that exposure to smoke and other forms of pollution can increase the risk and severity of respiratory infections, including possibly COVID-19.
When smoke is heavy, the key protection strategy is to lessen exposure to the smoke, particularly for people who have a condition that makes them more sensitive. People can do this by staying inside at home, getting and using an air filter and spending time in cleaner air space. For those who are asked to evacuate or those who choose to leave home to go to an area with cleaner air, remember to take and use a face covering along with hand sanitizer and to practice physical distancing from non-household members.
If it’s safe to do so, staying home to lessen exposure to wildfire smoke also lessens the risk for contracting COVID-19. Further information on how to protect against wildfire smoke can be found at healthoregon.org/wildfires.
When smoke is heavy, the key protection strategy is to lessen exposure to the smoke, particularly for people who have a condition that makes them more sensitive. People can do this by staying inside at home, getting and using an air filter and spending time in cleaner air space. For those who are asked to evacuate or those who choose to leave home to go to an area with cleaner air, remember to take and use a face covering along with hand sanitizer and to practice physical distancing from non-household members.
If it’s safe to do so, staying home to lessen exposure to wildfire smoke also lessens the risk for contracting COVID-19. Further information on how to protect against wildfire smoke can be found at healthoregon.org/wildfires.
PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM COVID-19 DURING WILDFIRES
We know that facing this fire risk during an ongoing pandemic can feel overwhelming. The Centers for Disease Control provided this information about COVID-19 safety and evacuations, as well as reducing smoke exposure.
Know the difference between symptoms from smoke exposure and COVID-19:
Know the difference between symptoms from smoke exposure and COVID-19:
- Some symptoms, like dry cough, sore throat and difficulty breathing can be caused by both wildfire smoke exposure and COVID-19.
- Learn about symptoms of COVID-19. Symptoms like fever or chills, muscle or body aches and diarrhea are not related to smoke exposure. If you have any of these symptoms, the CDC COVID-19 Self-Checker can help you determine whether you need further assessment or testing for COVID-19. If you have questions after using the CDC COVID-19 Self-Checker, contact a healthcare provider.
- If you have severe symptoms, like difficulty breathing or chest pain, immediately call 911 or the nearest emergency facility.
- Talk to the people you plan to stay with about how you can all best protect yourselves from COVID-19.
- Consider if either of your households has someone who is at higher risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19, including older adults or people of any age who have underlying medical conditions. Make sure everyone knows what they can do to keep them safe from COVID-19.
- Follow everyday preventive actions, including covering coughs and sneezes, washing your hands often, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Consider taking extra precautions for people living in close quarters.
- Know what to do if someone in your family or in the household you are staying with becomes sick with COVID-19. Take steps to keep your pets safe.
- Practice physical distancing. Stay at least six feet from other people outside of your household.
- Follow CDC COVID-19 preventive actions: Wash your hands often, cover coughs and sneezes and follow shelter policies for wearing masks. Avoid sharing food and drink with anyone if possible.
- Follow disaster shelter policies and procedures designed to protect everyone in the shelter, especially those who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, including older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions.
- Avoid touching high-touch surfaces, such as handrails, as much as possible. Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizers with at least 60 percent alcohol immediately after you touch these surfaces.
- Keep your living area in the shelter clean and disinfect frequently touched items.
- If you feel sick when you arrive at the shelter or start to feel sick while sheltering, tell shelter staff immediately.
Wildfire evacuation protocol for people quarantining or isolating due to COVID-19
During Oregon’s wildfires and safety evacuations, it is important to take precautions to avoid spreading COVID-19, particularly for those in isolation or quarantine due to a positive diagnosis or exposure to the virus.
The first priority in wildfire situations is responding to the evacuation and safety instructions of local and state fire officials – and heeding their warnings. Regardless of disease status, if you are asked or ordered to evacuate, you should do so.
If you or a household member are quarantining or isolating to prevent the spread of COVID-19, please take the following precautions:
The first priority in wildfire situations is responding to the evacuation and safety instructions of local and state fire officials – and heeding their warnings. Regardless of disease status, if you are asked or ordered to evacuate, you should do so.
If you or a household member are quarantining or isolating to prevent the spread of COVID-19, please take the following precautions:
- If ordered to evacuate, do so immediately. Follow all instructions from fire officials.
- If you have time, reach out to your local public health authority, who should have already been in contact with you about your isolation/quarantine. They may have solutions to help you continue to isolate/quarantine if you are evacuated.
- Should you be directed to a shelter or other evacuation space, please let officials know you are in isolation/quarantine so that they can take steps to keep you distanced from other evacuees.
- Wear a mask at all times when outside your home, or if you may come into contact with people who do not live with you.
- If you are an older adult or a person with disabilities, reach out to the Aging and Disabilities Resource Connection for information about resources 1-855-ORE-ADRC(1-855-673-2372).
- Practice physical distancing to the greatest extent possible, if you must travel outside your home for any reason, including evacuation.
- More information about wildfire safety and your health is available on healthoregon.org/wildfires.
- Additional resources can be found by calling 2-1-1.
- Find statewide Oregon Wildfire Resources at wildfire.oregon.gov/
STAY SAFE DURING WILDFIRES, SMOKE, AND WEATHER EVENTS
We're aware that many of you are affected by the current wildfires, smoke, evacuations and windy weather emergencies. If you're in an area affected by smoke and ash from wildfires, protect your health when smoke levels are high:
- Stay inside if possible. Keep windows and doors closed.
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
- Be aware of smoke in your area and avoid places with the highest levels.
- Use high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. These can be portable filters or can be installed in indoor heating, ventilation, cooling and air purification systems.
- If you have heart or lung disease or asthma, follow your health care provider’s advice.
- If you evacuate your home, remember to take face coverings and hand sanitizer with you to help protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
A REMINDER ABOUT MASKS DURING WILDFIRE SEASON
While it remains important to wear masks to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, please remember that cloth, dust and surgical masks don’t protect from the harmful particles in smoke.
Only N95 respirators may provide protection from smoke. However:
Only N95 respirators may provide protection from smoke. However:
- They must be tested to ensure proper fit and be worn correctly. Otherwise, they might just provide a false sense of security.
- They are not available in children’s sizes and are not recommended for strenuous activities.
- They are also in limited supply due to COVID-19.
HOW TO SELECT, WEAR, AND CLEAN YOUR MASK
- Wear masks with two or more layers to stop the spread of COVID-19
- Wear the mask over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin
- Masks should be worn by people two years and older
- Masks should NOT be worn by children younger than two, people who have trouble breathing, or people who cannot remove the mask without assistance
- Do NOT wear masks intended for healthcare workers, for example, N95 respirators
- CDC does not recommend the use of gaiters or face shields. Evaluation of these face covers is on-going but effectiveness is unknown at this time.
How to Clean
Masks should be washed regularly. Always remove masks correctly and wash your hands after handling or touching a used mask.
Masks should be washed regularly. Always remove masks correctly and wash your hands after handling or touching a used mask.
- Include your mask with your regular laundry
- Use regular laundry detergent and the warmest appropriate water setting for the cloth used to make the mask
- Use the highest heat setting and leave in the dryer until completely dry
Gov. Brown extends foreclosure protections through Dec. 31Governor Kate Brown extended protections from foreclosure for Oregon homeowners and business owners through executive action, until Dec. 31... Read More |
COVID-19 daily cases continue to declineDuring the week of Monday, Aug. 24, through Sunday, Aug. 30, OHA recorded 1,558 new cases of COVID-19 infection. This is down 8.6% from last week’s tally of 1,704 and Oregon’s lowest weekly total since the end of June.
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COVID-19 guidelines for colleges and universities
As the new school year gets closer, you may wonder how Oregon’s colleges and universities are planning for the safety of students, faculty and staff during COVID-19. Here are some facts that may help:
Each college has the flexibility to determine whether and how to open their campus within state guidelines and work with their local public health authority. Across Oregon, institutions must follow the current COVID-19 guidelines for higher education, which include:
You can learn more by watching this Q&A from the Higher Education Coordination Commission and Oregon Health Authority about what to expect at Oregon colleges and universities during COVID-19.
Each college has the flexibility to determine whether and how to open their campus within state guidelines and work with their local public health authority. Across Oregon, institutions must follow the current COVID-19 guidelines for higher education, which include:
- Requiring face coverings
- Measures to control spread of the virus, such as increased cleaning and physical distancing.
- Increased protections for higher-risk populations
- Limiting public access to campus
- Limiting the number of people in dorm rooms
You can learn more by watching this Q&A from the Higher Education Coordination Commission and Oregon Health Authority about what to expect at Oregon colleges and universities during COVID-19.
Back to college: Keeping safe in the dorms
If you’re a college student preparing for campus life during COVID-19, you may worry about staying safe in shared living spaces, such as dorms or apartments. Here are some tips whether you’re going to school in Oregon or out-of-state:
Oregon schools also maintain their own pages about COVID-19 safety regulations. You can find links to these pages on Oregon’s Higher Education Coordination Commission website.
- Stay at least six feet apart from people you don’t live with. This may mean taking turns when using elevators or stairwells, or when using shared living spaces like a bathroom, kitchen, laundry or exercise room.
- Wear a mask or face covering in shared spaces with people who don’t live with you.
- Keep visitors to a minimum, just like you would at home. Indoor gatherings are still limited to 10 people or fewer.
- Practice good hand hygiene.
- Don’t share food, dishes, glasses or eating utensils.
- Don’t place personal items like toothbrushes on shared surfaces like sinks or counters. Put these items in a tote you can carry to avoid touching the surface.
Oregon schools also maintain their own pages about COVID-19 safety regulations. You can find links to these pages on Oregon’s Higher Education Coordination Commission website.
Setting up a safe workspace for online work and school
If you’re working mostly at home or have children who will be spending at least part of their school year at home, it’s important to have workspaces for both that are safe and healthy. For example:
- The computer should be set up with the screen at eye level so you or your child can sit up straight and practice good posture.
- The chair should provide enough comfort and back support to sit for long periods of time.
- Take breaks to stretch and take a walk to avoid sitting all day.
- Is the workspace free of clutter and distractions?
- Are supplies like paper, books and pencils at hand and ready to use?
- Are things organized so you and your student can easily find things?
Resources to help you and your teen through COVID-19
For teens, summer usually means hanging out with friends, going to camp, family BBQs or a summer job. A lot of things have been different this year. As the new school year approaches, these resources for teens can help them stay well by reaching out.
- Sources of Strength offers resources to help teens stay strong, practice self-care and practice gratitude.
- YouthLine is a teen-to-teen crisis, support and help line open daily from 4 to 10 p.m. PST via call, text and chat. Adults answer phone calls at all other times, so teens have support 24/7.
- Youth ERA offers several ways for youth and young adults to meet online, get support and talk through life.
Grants available through Oregon Cares Fund
The members of the Oregon Legislature’s Black, Indigenous and People of Color Caucus worked to create the Oregon Cares Fund. The fund invests in Black people, Black-owned businesses and Black-led community-based organizations.
The Oregon Cares Fund is a sub-grant from the U.S. Treasury’s disbursement of Coronavirus Relief Funds received by the State of Oregon under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Grants will vary in size for individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits, depending on the information submitted in the application. Individuals and families may be eligible to receive grants of $1,000, $2,000 or $3,000, depending on financial impacts of COVID-19 and family size. Businesses or nonprofits with employees will receive grants based on the amount of lost revenue due to COVID-19 and additional COVID-19-related expenses.
Learn more and apply: thecontingent.org/oregon-cares
The Oregon Cares Fund is a sub-grant from the U.S. Treasury’s disbursement of Coronavirus Relief Funds received by the State of Oregon under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Grants will vary in size for individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits, depending on the information submitted in the application. Individuals and families may be eligible to receive grants of $1,000, $2,000 or $3,000, depending on financial impacts of COVID-19 and family size. Businesses or nonprofits with employees will receive grants based on the amount of lost revenue due to COVID-19 and additional COVID-19-related expenses.
Learn more and apply: thecontingent.org/oregon-cares
What is COVID-19?COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a new strain of the coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause mild to severe illness. This new coronavirus has spread in people only since December 2019. Health experts are learning more and more about this new coronavirus and the illnesses it causes. At present there is no... Read More |
How to protect yourself and others from COVID-19The virus spreads from person to person mainly through respiratory droplets an infected person makes when they cough, sneeze or talk. Droplets can land in mouths or noses of people who are nearby – within about six feet...
Read More |
COVID-19 Testing in OregonAre you wondering where you can find a COVID-19 testing site? OHA is partnering with Google, Castlight and local public health authorities to help you find local information about where testing is available. While we are working hard to keep the information about where Oregonians can get a COVID-19 test as up to date as possible, you should... Read More |
Testing: Is it possible to get a false negative?
Viral tests for COVID-19 are the most reliable way to diagnose someone with COVID-19. But what should you do if the test is negative? False negatives happen about a third of the time.
- If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should quarantine for 14 days, even if you don’t have symptoms.
- If you have symptoms, you should self-isolate for at least 10 days or until the symptoms go away.
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Get the resources you need.
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COVID-19 Videos
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COVID19 English from PBEM on Vimeo. |
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LATEST UPDATES
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County Information
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Multnomah County may be on the verge of a plateau in the COVID-19 pandemic, health officials told the Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, as new infections and hospitalization rates stabilize, and requests for protective equipment... Read More
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We want to emphasize the importance of everyone continuing to protect the health of our community by following public health guidelines. Stay home, be well and stay connected. Together we are flattening the curve... Read More
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Washington, Multnomah and Clackamas counties will move together as a region for any further reopening progress. This means the earliest our county can enter Phase 2 would have been July 10. We are not ready to apply for Phase 2 at this time... Read More
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Businesses and activities will adhere to the Phase 2 re-opening guidelines while following adequate social distancing measures & health standards. Businesses may also need to meet additional requirements developed specifically for their industry... Read More
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Local Resources
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