Thread by @OHAOregon

OHA State Health Officer Dr. Dean Sidelinger speaking during today’s media availability: "I want to share some stories about what we are seeing and how cases can quickly spread in the community."

"10 people got together for a family party – 2 people at the party were likely infectious at the time, though they didn’t have symptoms. In total, these 2 cases have led to 20 reported cases – spread across 10 households."

"At least 2 of the people work w/vulnerable groups. One person lived in a multi-generational house w/high-risk family members. Even though the people at the party weren’t at a higher risk for complications, many of the people who got sick potentially exposed individuals who are."

"Nearly 20 people rented a beach house where they were together for 3 days. Nobody had symptoms during the trip, but 4 were potentially infectious at the time. 12 people from the trip got sick. These cases have links to 5 workplace outbreaks with a total of >300 cases so far."

"These examples show that even a small number of people – if they have multiple exposures – can lead to large numbers of cases."

"As we approach the fall, one focus is on creating an environment where it is safe for students and staff to return to school. Right now, we do not meet the statewide metric for returning to in-person classroom instruction, which is having less than 5% positivity for #COVID19."

"15 counties do meet the metric for prioritizing resumption of K-3 instruction. They are:
o Benton
o Clatsop
o Coos
o Crook
o Curry
o Douglas
o Gilliam
o Harney
o Josephine
o Klamath
o Lake
o Lane
o Tillamook
o Wallowa
o Wheeler"

"While our #COVID19 data shows we are doing better than many other states, the virus continues to be a threat in our communities and we’re not close to keeping the infection rate at a level we’d need to safely reopen all schools across Oregon."

"Statewide, our case counts are averaging under 300 a day. In order to meet the reopening metric, that number would have to drop to about 60 per day."

"Our recent modeling indicates that transmission is slowing - a pattern we have seen since early July. One of the scenarios indicates that with a 10% decrease in transmission we can get that number to .75, which is where we need to be – at or below—for an extended period."

"It’s a heavy lift, but we’re making progress. Our collective actions have reduced transmission rates since the increase we saw after we re-opened, and we see that confirmed by the decline in new infections and hospitalizations."

"We all need to keep doing our part to slow the spread of #COVID19:
-- Stay at least 6 feet apart from people outside your household
-- Limit the size of your social get-togethers
-- Wear your face covering when you are outside your house"