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THANK YOU, DOUGLAS COUNTY, FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

(By Tamara Howell, Public Information Officer, Douglas County.) It is hard to believe that we have eclipsed the two year mark since the first COVID case was identified in Douglas County. It is even harder to comprehend everything that that has happened in the last 731 days. Two years ago, I had no idea of knowing (as did anyone) how much our lives would be turned upside down by a relentless microscopic virus that looks like something right off the pages of a Dr. Seuss book. We have all endured changes way out of our comfort zone and experienced times of grief, frustration and confusion. But along this journey, we have also seen several tremendous acts of kindness, camaraderie and community support. For me the last two years have been about civic duty. I feel very blessed to work for Douglas County, and have the opportunity to work every day with three of the most selfless and dedicated public servants I have ever met. Thank you, Commissioner Tim Freeman, Commissioner Chris Boice and Commissioner Tom Kress for your support, steadfast leadership and unwavering dedication to the residents of Douglas County. Over the last 24 months, I have devoted my time and energy to doing the best job I can to lead our Douglas County COVID Joint Information Team, and write and release our Douglas County COVID-19 Updates. I have worked hard to share amazing local stories, provide the most accurate and timely information and work with a dream team of local professionals that I have come to admire and respect. The updates have been my life for the past two years, and while a part of me will miss the daily routine of crunching numbers and writing articles, I am content and proud of the tremendous amount of work we all have accomplished. We know we have more than surpassed the Commissioner’s initial COVID response mission of ‘Ensuring appropriate, timely and coordinated communications to cooperators and the public.’ I would even like to challenge you to find another County in Oregon or even in the United States that that has produced more than 672 COVID updates in a consistent and timely manner, as we have done here in Douglas County, Oregon.
As I write my last story and crunch my last numbers, I know, along with our entire team that this pandemic is by no means over, but we are finally at a point where we can take a step back from focusing on the daily or weekly crisis and move forward out of the pandemic fog to sunnier days. I could not have done this work without the assistance and support of so many amazing people. Thank you to Commissioner Tim Freeman, Commissioner Chris Boice and Commissioner Tom Kress for your trust in me to do this valuable work. I want to especially thank Commissioner Freeman for believing in me, and for valuing the importance of communications. Thank you to Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer, our Douglas County Public Health Officer for your patience, guidance and knowledge. Thank you to the amazing staff at Douglas Public Health Network, especially my cohort, co-author and rock star, Vanessa Becker, as well as Teresa Mutschler, Laura Turpin, Brian Mahoney, Becky Bright-Jones, Kendra Murray, Kim Gandy, the Epi-Teams and COVID Hotline volunteers. Thank you to my Douglas County Joint Information Team members who volunteered their time to be part of our team (on top of their regular job duties): Lt. Brad O’Dell, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office; Mark Tsuchiya, Aviva Health; Kathleen Nickel, CHI-Mercy; Sarah Baumgartner, CHI Mercy; Melissa McRobbie-Toll, Douglas County; Stephanie Munsey, Douglas County; Kellie Trenkle, Douglas County; Mark Turney, Umpqua National Forest; Rosa Solano, Lower Umpqua Hospital and Brian Prawitz, BP Media. Thank you to my supervisor Michael Kurtz, Douglas County Human Resources for your support and encouragement. Last, but not least, thank you to the citizens of Douglas County for the many emails, cards, letters and notes of encouragement. Your kind words are what kept me going during many difficult days. As I look back on the last two years, I am profoundly in ‘awe’ and will forever hold the deepest respect for so many individuals who continue to step up to volunteer and help others in our communities, and for those that were a part of our incredible Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team. For this, and so many more reasons, I am proud to call Douglas County my home. Onward and upwards in faith, hope and love Douglas County!

THE LAST DOUGLAS COUNTY COVID-19 UPDATE 

731 days ago, a joint press release was issued from the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Douglas Public Health Network (DPHN) and our Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), identifying our first “presumptive positive” case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Douglas County. By the time the first case was announced in Douglas County, your Douglas County Commissioners, Tim Freeman, Chris Boice and Tom Kress along with Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer, our Douglas County Public Health Officer and the staff at DPHN had already been engaged in organizing our local pandemicemergency response effort for  over a month. The Commissioners garnered the support, expertise and collaborative effortsof local partners including; Mercy Medical Center, Lower Umpqua Hospital, Aviva Health, Umpqua Health, the Roseburg VA, Adapt, DCSO, Douglas County Emergency Management, Douglas Forest Protective Association, the American Red Cross, Douglas County Search and Rescue, Douglas County Human Resources Department, Douglas County Public Works Department and Douglas County Building Facilities.

Now, two years later we release our 672 nd and final Douglas County COVID-19 update to the citizens of Douglas County. We find it fitting that we mark our two year anniversary with some closure.
As we have said before, since the very beginning of the pandemic, Douglas County Commissioners, Tim Freeman, Chris Boice and Tom Kress made our COVID response the priority in Douglas County. They established an Emergency COVID Command Center. They invited local agencies to join our efforts, thus creating the Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team (DCCRT) and over the last two years have exceeded the goals and objectives set forth over 731 days ago.
As a part of the original mission statement for the DCCRT, the Commissioners established five incident objectives, which included a very important communication component. By almost every standard, our Douglas County COVID Response Team has excelled in quest to keep our citizens safe and informed. Commissioners Issued Five Incident Objectives established for our local COVID Response:
1. Minimize loss of life of for Douglas County citizens due to the COVID-19 virus through education, mitigation and containment.
2. Protect Medical Systems from being overwhelmed with COVID-19 cases by coordinating long term strategic response plans and identifying local thresholds with appropriate local response.
3. Ensure safety of all health care providers by facilitating the acquisition and distribution of available PPE by utilizing local, state and federal resources.
4. Ensure appropriate, timely and coordinated communications to cooperators and the public.
5. Support operational needs by leveraging available Douglas County resources.

WE CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO STAY HEALTHY
Our team continues encourage everyone, for the sake of our local businesses, services, economy and neighbors, to make the best decision for yourself and your family in order protect those around you from contracting or spreading the coronavirus disease.  We have provided education on implementing the widely proven and age-old safety measures to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19 and influenza. Our team encourages you to access your risk and comfort level, and make the best choice for you and your family.
1. Please stay home from work, school, shopping or running errands if you are sick.
2. Please consider getting vaccinated, if you have not gotten the shot yet. Get the booster dose too!
3. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, and then throw the tissue in the trash.
4. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
5. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
6. Consider wearing a face covering when you are around those not from your immediate household or when you are in indoor settings.
7. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
8. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
9. Never visit a hospital or long-term-care facility if you have a fever or cough due to an illness.
10. Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched.
11. Delay or limit travel to COVID hot spots or highly populated areas.
12. Take care of your health overall. Staying current on your vaccinations, including flu vaccine, eating well and exercising all help your body stay resilient..

DOUGLAS COUNTY HOSPITALIZED PATIENT UPDATE

As of today, Wednesday, February 23, 2022, there are TWENTY (20) Douglas County COVID-19 patients that are being hospitalized, seventeen locally and three out-of-the-area. We continue to work with Mercy to provide information on our COVID patients being hospitalized locally, this last week they averaged 2 COVID-19 positive patients a day in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and 3 COVID-19 positive patients a day in the Progressive Care Unit (PCU). This last week an average of 16% of their total hospitalized patients were COVID positive. Of our hospitalized patients today, THIRTEEN (13) of the 20 patients are not fully vaccinated.

NEWLY REPORTED COVID-19 RELATED DEATHS OF DOUGLAS COUNTY RESIDENTSDouglas County Douglas County Public Health has confirmed the deaths of more Douglas County residents related to the COVID-19 virus. Our team confirms and then reports all COVID-19 related deaths in the order that they are received. Our three hundred and fifty-fourth COVID-19 related death was a 72-year-old man who was diagnosed with COVID-19 and passed away on Tuesday, February 15, 2022. He was not vaccinated. Our three hundred and sixtieth COVID-19 related death was a 73-year-old man who passed away on Thursday, February 10, 2022 and was diagnosed with COVID-19 post- mortem on Monday, February 14, 2022. He was fully vaccinated, but not up-to-date. Our three hundred and sixty-first COVID-19 related death was a 66-year-old man who was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Sunday, February 20, 2022 and passed away on Monday, February 21, 2022. He was not vaccinated. Our three hundred and sixty-second COVID-19 related death was a 66-year-old man who was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Monday, February 7, 2022 and passed away on Sunday, February 20, 2022. He was fully vaccinated, but not up-to-date. In the interest of privacy for the loved ones of these residents, and as our ethical responsibility to follow all medical laws, no additional information will be released. Douglas County Public Health officials thoroughly scrutinize and investigate all deaths, and review all medical records to make sure that everyone we report has met the requirements for a COVID related death, as per the Oregon Disease Investigative Guidelines for COVID-19. Each death related to COVID-19 is painful for all Douglas County residents, and a sad reminder of the terrible impact COVID-19 has had in our local communities. The Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Dr. Dannenhoffer, DPHN and our COVID-19 Communications Team extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to all family members, friends, relatives, co workers and community members of those who have passed after contracting this deadly virus.

NOTIFICATION OF DELAYED COVID-19 RELATED DEATHS OF DOUGLAS COUNTY RESIDENTS
Douglas County Public Health has been receiving delayed reports of COVID-19 related deaths of Douglas County residents from Oregon Vital Records, hospice/long-term care facilities and out-of-state institutions. Our team confirms and then reports all COVID-19 related deaths in the order that they are received. Our three hundred and fifty-fifth COVID-19 related death was a 69-year-old man who was diagnosed with COVID-19 and passed away on Monday, January 24, 2022. He was not vaccinated. We were notified by hospice of the COVID-19 related death on Wednesday, February 16, 2022. Our three hundred and fifty-sixth COVID-19 related death was an 86-year-old woman who was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Monday, January 31, 2022 and passed away on Wednesday, February 2, 2022. She was not vaccinated. We were notified by hospice of the COVID-19 related death on Wednesday, February 16, 2022. Our three hundred and fifty-seventh COVID-19 related death was a 57-year-old man who was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Sunday, October 10, 2021 and passed away on Thursday, January 6, 2022. He was not vaccinated. We were notified by hospice of the COVID-19 related death on Wednesday, February 16, 2022. Our three hundred and fifty-eighth COVID-19 related death was a 66-year-old man who was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 and passed away on Saturday, January 15, 2022. He was not vaccinated. We were notified by hospice of the COVID-19 related death on Wednesday, February 16, 2022. Our three hundred and fifty-ninth COVID-19 related death was an 87- year-old woman who was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Monday, January 24, 2022 and passed away on Friday, February 11, 2022. She was not vaccinated. We were notified by hospice of the COVID-19 related death on Wednesday, February 16, 2022. Our three hundred and sixty-third COVID-19 related death was a 70-year-old man who was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Friday, January 14, 2022 and passed away on Wednesday, February 2, 2022. He was partially vaccinated and not up-to-date. We were notified by hospice of the COVID-19 related death on Tuesday, February 22, 2022. Our three hundred and sixty-fourth COVID-19 related death was a 92-year-old woman who was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Monday, January 17, 2022 and passed away on Monday, January 31, 2022. She was fully vaccinated, but not up-to- date. We were notified by hospice of the COVID-19 related death on Tuesday, February 22, 2022. In the interest of privacy for the loved ones of these residents, and as our ethical responsibility to follow all medical laws, no additional information will be released. Douglas County Public Health officials thoroughly scrutinize and investigate all deaths, and review all medical records to make sure that everyone we report has met the requirements for a COVID related death, as per the Oregon Disease Investigative Guidelines for COVID-19. Each death related to COVID-19 is painful for all Douglas County residents, and a sad reminder of the terrible impact COVID-19 has had in our local communities. The Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Dr. Dannenhoffer, DPHN and our COVID-19 Communications Team extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to all family members, friends, relatives, co-workers and community members of those who have passed after contracting this deadly virus.

COVID-19 VACCINATION WEEKLY UPDATE – WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2022
As in most of the country, the vaccine pace continued to slow in the last week in Douglas County, with 445 doses given, despite vaccine clinics being open daily. This suggests that nearly all who want a vaccine or booster have gotten one.  Although many (253) were boosters, there were 81 first time doses of the vaccine.  The remaining vaccines are second and third non-booster doses.  We continue to compare and track our numbers using CDC’s vaccine data, as they more accurately represent our vaccination numbers. The data includes the Federally administered doses given at the Roseburg VA, that Oregon’s ALERT System only recently started including in their reports. Our current numbers are as follows:
 For those 18 years old and above in Douglas County who are fully vaccinated (as calculated by the CDC) is currently, we are at 61.5%. As almost all of the hospitalizations and deaths are in this age group, it is a measure of vaccine efficiency to prevent hospitalizations.
 The percent of the ENTIRE population in Douglas County who are fully vaccinated (as calculated by the
CDC) is currently 52.1%. This percentage, plus the number of natural infections gives an idea of the level of community immunity.
 Those Douglas County residents who have received a booster (as calculated by the CDC) have the best vaccine protection. For the entire population 42.8% are vaccinated and boosted and for those over 65, 64% are fully vaccinated and boosted. The Omicron surge is now ebbing. We are seeing that vaccination plus boosting has provided excellent protection against hospitalization and death. Among our recent deaths, almost all were not up to date on their COVID-19 vaccine.
It is not too late to get a vaccine. Please get your initial series, and if eligible, get a booster. If you had a previous infection, a dose of the mRNA vaccine will increase your immunity. It is not too late to get a vaccine. We encourage you to consider getting your initial series, and if eligible, get a booster. If you had a previous infection, a dose of the mRNA vaccine will help to increase your immunity. The OHA vaccine clinic located in the parking lot at the corner of NE Fowler Street and Diamond Lake Blvd. in Roseburg is open every day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm until further notice. No registration is necessary for this clinic. Vaccines are also available from Aviva Health locations, Lower Umpqua Hospital, local health care providers, urgent care facilities and local pharmacies. Please make sure to call ahead or make an appointment online for these other locations that offer the vaccine.

STATE AND FEDERAL COVID-19 INFORMATION
The Federal and State Governments, and their agencies are the ones that set policy, issue mandates and provide the guidelines for a state of emergency like the current COVID pandemic. For information log onto U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA). If you have questions about the current guidelines, mandates or the recommendations, please contact them directly for more information. OHA posts their daily updates at www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus. Please do not call 911, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office or Douglas County Offices to report issues with the State of Oregon, OHA or the Governor’s mandates.

ACCESS TO LOCAL COVID-19 RESOURCES
Local Online Access to Updates: Stay up to date with accurate and local COVID-19 information by visiting the Douglas County Government Website or DCGOV Facebook page or the DPHN Website or DPHN Facebook page.
Free Local e-Newsletter Subscription: You can also sign up for the free Douglas County e-Newsletter that publishes and sends out the update to our subscription base. Log onto: www.co.douglas.or.us.

Douglas County COVID-19 Hotline (541) 464-6550: Your Douglas County Board of Commissioners and DPHN continue to offer a local resource hotline for Douglas County residents for COVID-19. The hotline provides answers to frequently asked questions, basic COVID information and referrals to local resources and services. Our local hotline number is (541) 464-6550 and is staffed from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 7 days a week.

DPHN Vaccine Information: Want more information on the vaccines? Log onto: http://DougCoVaccine.com. DPHN Informational Videos: Check out DPHN’s YouTube Channel for informational videos about COVID-19.

Douglas County Tiger Team: The Tiger Team organizes our county-wide COVID-19 vaccine program via free pop-up vaccine clinics, with Umpqua Valley Ambulance, who provide a certified vaccinator and medical assistant. The clinics are open to anyone 18 years of age and older, and preregistration is not required. Click here for the calendar of upcoming clinics or call (541) 670-3110 or (541) 464-6550, if you are interested in having team come to your location.

UPDATED: Aviva Health: Aviva is offering fee-based leisure COVID-19 testing at its drive-through testing clinic at located at 4221 NE Stephens Street, Suite 101A, in Roseburg, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 11:30 am and 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm to individuals who require a negative test for travel, public events such as college football games, return to work, and other non-medically necessary purposes. Rapid BINAX tests are $60, and PCR tests are $35. Aviva Health continues to offer no- and low-cost COVID-19 tests to people with symptoms by billing their insurance or for uninsured individuals charging on an income-based, sliding-fee scale. Testing is by appointment only. Community members may schedule a testing appointment by calling (541) 492-2067. They continue to offer free drive-through COVID-19 vaccination services to patients and non-patients. Patients must be Douglas County residents and be 12 years of age or older***. Vaccinations are also available on a limited basis at Aviva Health’s outlying clinics in North County, Sutherlin, Glide, and Myrtle Creek. People seeking vaccinations at their outlying clinics should call (541) 672-9596, to determine availability. For more information please visit www.aviva.health/covid-19-resources/. Aviva also has an online
COVID FAQ page with answers to frequently asked questions.