Thread by @OHAOregon

OHA State Health Officer Dr. Dean Sidelinger speaking during today’s media availability: "We continue to see cases where seemingly innocuous activities – that we would not have thought twice about in the past - are fueling outbreaks."

"Here are some examples:
-- One Oregon county has 13 cases associated with 4 University outbreaks, including a Greek house and 3 athletic teams.
-- Another county has 22 cases associated with 3 University outbreaks, including 2 Greek houses and a large back to school party."

"-- Another county has an outbreak that includes 19 cases. It started with a small prayer group who met with others from a sewing group. One of the household members has died. None of the people reported wearing masks. Ages of cases ranges from young children to in their 80’s."

"And while our recent modeling suggests that transmission may be waning, it also indicates that even a modest uptick in transmission can lead to an increase in daily cases – like the one we’re experiencing now – which can quickly eradicate the progress we've made."

"Currently we estimate that every person who contracts COVID 19 is probably passing the virus to less than one person. A reproduction rate of .87. But a 5-percentage point increase in transmission rates over the next month, would increase cases by 80 a day."

"We’ve all worked too hard beating back the tide of the virus to let that happen. Remember:
-- Stay at least 6ft apart from people outside your household
-- Restrict your gatherings
-- Wear a face covering when you are outside the house or indoors where distancing isn't possible"