Yesterday, Thursday July 9th, Oregon reported another record number of new cases of COVID-19. The cases include increases from workplace outbreaks as well as community spread from things like social gatherings with friends and family. It’s a reminder of how important wearing a face covering, frequent hand washing, physical distancing and staying home when you’re sick continue to be as we work together to stop the spread of the virus.
As you consider your daily activities, here are four questions that you can ask yourself to assess how risky the activity is:
What’s type of face covering do I need?
In OHA’s statewide mask, face shield and face covering guidance, you may wonder what type of face covering you need.
“Face covering” means a cloth, paper, or disposable face covering that covers the nose and the mouth.
“Face shield” means a clear plastic shield that covers the forehead, extends below the chin, and wraps around the sides of the face.
“Mask” means a medical grade mask. As shown below, N95 respirators and surgical masks should be reserved for health care workers, first responders and other professionals who need to use these masks to safely perform their job.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends cloth face coverings for public use. While they don’t totally block the virus, they help protect the people around you when you use it along with regular hand washing and staying 6 feet away from others. Cloth face coverings should:
- Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face,
- Completely cover the nose and mouth,
- Be secured with ties or ear loops,
- Include multiple layers of fabric,
- Allow for breathing without restriction, and
- Be launderable and machine-dryable without damage or change to shape.
To learn more about using cloth face coverings to protect against the coronavirus, including how to make your own, visit the CDC website.
Oregon reports 389 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 6 new deaths
COVID-19 has claimed six more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 230, the Oregon Health Authority reported Thursday July 9th.
Oregon Health Authority reported 389 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of Thursday July 9th, bringing the state total to 11,188.
The new cases are in the following counties: Benton (1), Clackamas (20), Clatsop (1), Columbia (2), Coos (4), Crook (3), Deschutes (5), Hood River (1), Jackson (7), Jefferson (8), Josephine (2), Lake (2), Lane (18), Lincoln (15), Linn (3), Malheur (31), Marion (47), Morrow (12), Multnomah (86), Polk (2), Umatilla (55), Union (4), Wallowa (1), Wasco (5), Washington (46), Yamhill (8).
Today’s case count is the highest total daily case count since the onset of the pandemic. The recent increase in cases is attributed to workplace outbreaks and community spread. Newly diagnosed cases are being interviewed now for contact tracing.
