Willamette Valley News, Thursday, 11/19 – Covid-19 Cases Rising at Alarming Rate in Lane County, Hospital Beds Beginning to Fill

The latest news stories and stories of interest in Eugene-Springfield area and around the state of Oregon from the online digital home of the valley, WillametteValleyMagazine.com

Thursday, November 19, 2020

Willamette Valley Weather

Today A 40 percent chance of showers. Snow level 3100 feet. Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. South southwest wind around 8 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. Light and variable wind.

Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 50.

Sunday A chance of rain, mainly after 10am. Cloudy, with a high near 48.

Today’s Headlines

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Coronavirus-update-1.jpg

COVID-19 has claimed 10 more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 788.  Oregon Health Authority reported 1,099 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of yesterday, bringing the state total to 59,669.

The new cases  are in the following counties: Baker (9), Benton(13), Clackamas (82), Clatsop (4), Columbia (6), Coos (5), Crook (6), Curry (3), Deschutes (40), Douglas (33), Gilliam (2), Grant (6), Harney (3), Hood River (11), Jackson (108), Jefferson (15), Josephine (20), Lake (8), Lane (115), Lincoln (5), Linn (30), Malheur (33), Marion (84), Morrow (2), Multnomah (210), Polk (9), Tillamook (4), Umatilla (29), Union (3), Wasco (4), Washington (171), and Yamhill (26).

At this time, 406 people are hospitalized in Oregon with COVID-19, marking a new record for the pandemic. The largest increase was in the Portland metropolitan area, followed by the Willamette Valley and then Jackson and Josephine counties. Of the total, 94 are in an intensive care unit.

Statistically, about 8% of Oregon hospital beds are occupied by people with Coronavirus, but it is the surge in recent COVID-19 cases that have hospitals concerned they will be overwhelmed with patients on top of their normal load.

At this time, 406 people are hospitalized in Oregon with COVID-19, marking a new record for the pandemic. The largest increase was in the Portland metropolitan area, followed by the Willamette Valley and then Jackson and Josephine counties. Of the total, 94 are in an intensive care unit.

“One important note about hospital capacity is that hospitals under normal circumstances, don’t have a tremendous amount of excess capacity because that would be infrastructure and staffing we would be paying for, that we don’t need,” explained Becky Hutlberg, President and CEO of the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems.

“As we approach the winter where hospitalizations typically go up for lots of reasons, including the flu, the capacity we have will not be sufficient.”

According to the Oregon Health Authority there are 5,930 hospital beds in Oregon.  Some 406 are occupied by patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. Of those patients, 102 are in intensive care units.

While those numbers are a small percentage of overall capacity, healthcare leaders say it is important to remember that not all hospital beds are created equal when it comes to a highly contagious disease.

“I think one important thing to remember about hospital beds is not all hospital beds are fit to take a COVID patient,” said Hultberg. “When you look at hospital bed counts, you’re looking at pediatric floors.  You’re looking at mother-baby units. Not all those beds are available immediately for COVID patients.”

This week OHSU said it was at 89% capacity, while its four intensive care units are 93% full.  Across Oregon, there are 136 adult ICU beds available out of 696.

Doctors who work on the frontlines in Oregon say they are seeing younger and sicker patients coming into the ICU in this latest deadly wave of the novel coronavirus.

The Oregon Health Authority said the age group showing the most infection is people between 20 and 49, who made up 51% of the confirmed cases during the week ending November 15.

Dr. David Hotchkin, a pulmonary and critical care physician with the Oregon Clinic, said some of these patients are dying, some having near-death experiences and others have lingering symptoms long after they catch the virus. When it comes to COVID, he said, it’s not worth gambling with your life no matter your age.

“Some of the scariest stories are the people who are in their 30s and 40s that walk into the hospital and die within an hour or two,” Hotchkin told reporters yesterday.    He said he’s seeing an alarming number of healthy and active people in the ER.

Hotchkin says “If we make sure we are not potentially spreading COVID, we are wearing a mask inside any other facility other than in our own home and not having social interactions with other individuals we can stop the spread of COVID and help save the lives of other individuals.”

He also said it’s important to get a flu shot this year. Dr. Hotchkin also said COVID is much more serious than a flu, pointing to recent studies that show it’s double the risk of death for people compared to the flu.

The number of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations set record highs for the week ending November 15, the Oregon Health Authority said Wednesday.

The positivity rate also jumped to 12.5% “even with an increase in the number of people tested,” officials said. The positivity rate the week before was 11.9%

Once again, people between 20 and 49 made up 51% of the confirmed cases during the week, the age group showing the most infections. Those older than 70 made up 75% of those who died.

A Linn County employee has been placed on paid administrative leave while the county investigates the possible theft of thousands of dollars over several years.

Linn County Administrator Darrin Lane said county officials were alerted to the possible mishandling of funds in May, when an employee in the Planning and Building Department expressed concern about something they had heard.

Lane said key county officials then met to discuss the allegations. They asked the auditor to take a closer look at cash management in the Planning and Building Department, and the auditor concluded there was reason for concern.

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office then began investigating the allegations and eventually began interviewing staff members.

“We placed an employee on administrative leave while they continue the investigation,” said Lane, who began working as county administrator on Aug. 1.

The amount of money in question is not known, but Lane said it is a significant amount and will require extensive financial forensics to determine the exact amount. Linn County has insurance that covers employee theft and the county has instituted new controls to make sure nothing similar can happen again, he said.

The investigation by the sheriff’s office began in mid-October and is continuing. The county will take the appropriate and necessary actions based on the results of the investigation, he said. Stay tuned.

Around the state of Oregon

Gov. Kate Brown made her statewide two-week ‘freeze’ official Tuesday with an executive order that makes the measures enforceable by law.

The freeze will take effect starting Wednesday and aims to limit group activities and slow the spread of COVID-19 in Oregon where cases have reached a record high. As part of the freeze, social gatherings cannot exceed more than six people.

Restaurants are limited to take-out only, while gyms and fitness centers, museums, pools, sports courts, movie theaters, zoos, gardens, aquariums and venues will be closed. Grocery stores, pharmacies and retail stores are limited to a maximum capacity of 75%.

All of the freeze measures are enforceable by law. Workplace violations should be reported Oregon OSHA and restaurant violations to OSHA or OLCC. In the past social gathering limits were “self-enforced.” Now, if caught violating this restriction, a person can be cited, fined or arrested.

As the holiday season starts, Christmas tree permits are currently available from the Fremont-Winema National Forest.

Permits cost $5 and are nonrefundable. A maximum of five permits can be purchased and can be used through December 25. The permits are available for purchase from several vendors in Lake and Klamath counties, online through www.Recreation.gov, and by mail from all Fremont-Winema National Forest offices. Fifth graders with an Every Kid Outdoors (EKO) voucher can get a free Christmas tree permit for a limited time. This is in addition to fourth graders who can get a free permit with their valid EKO pass.

The Fremont-Winema National Forest provided free passes and permits to area fourth graders. They are starting to provide the vouchers and permits to fifth graders in Lake and Klamath counties.

For more information or for those home schooling, contact Public Affairs Specialist Shannon Holt at 541-947-6261 or shannon.holt@usda.gov.

Governor Kate Brown and leading Oregon lawmakers responded to a remarkably stable revenue forecast for the state, while acknowledging that many Oregonians are suffering economically from the ongoing pandemic without any fresh infusions of aid.

Brown framed the news as another sign that a second federal stimulus package is needed in order to buoy both businesses and workers that are suffering from public health closures, saying that she has been lobbying Congress to put aside partisan bickering and pass another relief bill. Oregon’s Congressional delegation has been pushing FEMA to shoulder the full cost of clean-up from the wildfires. As things stand, the state of Oregon will be on the hook to pay for costs that FEMA does not cover, with the full response and clean-up estimated to cost more than $1 billion.

Responding to the revenue forecast news, Republicans in the legislature took shots at the “freeze” restrictions that went into effect on Wednesday, decrying the economic impact on Oregonian households.

Oregon provides mortgage support for homeowners in financial distress due to COVID-19.   $20 million available until funds run out.

SALEM, OR – The Oregon Homeownership Stabilization Initiative (OHSI) has launched a mortgage relief program to help homeowners at risk of losing their homes due to COVID-related financial hardship.

The COVID-19 Mortgage Relief program provides assistance to homeowners who have experienced a financial hardship to help them avoid foreclosure. The program provides a one-time payment directly to mortgage servicers to bring delinquent first-lien mortgage accounts current.

OHSI is a program administered by Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), on behalf of the Oregon Affordable Housing Assistance Corporation, and funded through U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Hardest Hit Fund (HHF) established during the Great Recession. OHCS, with the support of Senators Wyden and Merkley, successfully advocated to extend these funds to provide relief to Oregonians impacted by COVID-19.

“Oregon residents are facing multiple crises at once,” said Emese Perfecto, Director of OHCS Homeownership Division.  “We know that easing the burden of past due mortgage payments is a critical way we can keep families stable while they endure these challenges. This program provides hope to many struggling homeowners.”

As of September, 165,000 people were unemployed in Oregon, double the number of unemployed people one year ago. While the unemployment rate has improved slightly since the beginning of the pandemic, many Oregonians are still struggling. Since 2011, OHSI has helped more than 16,000 families keep their homes. The program has invested more than $300 million in direct assistance to Oregonians.

“Being at risk of losing your home can be extremely stressful. We want homeowners to know that they are not alone,” Perfecto said.  “Our trained partners are here to advise you and answer any questions you have.”

The program eligibility criteria include:

  • Became past due on mortgage payments after Jan. 1, 2020
  • Experienced a financial hardship such as job loss, reduced income, high medical costs, disability, death in the family, or divorce.
  • Mortgage payment is no more than 45 percent of household monthly income

More eligibility requirements and a FAQ, as well as the application portal, are available on the OHSI website. Housing counseling partners are also available to assist homeowners with the application process.

The $20 million program is funded through the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Hardest Hit Fund. The assistance is offered through a no-interest, forgivable, five-year loan that requires no payment from the recipients so long as they don’t sell or refinance their home for cash for at least five years. Because funds are limited, homeowners in need are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Along with these resources, Governor Kate Brown’s Executive Order 20-37 extended the foreclosure protections established by House Bill 4204 (2020 1st special session). Oregon homeowners in need should contact their lender or a Homeownership Center for relief options.

APPLY FOR FOOD, CASH AND OTHER ASSISTANCE FROM HOME DURING OREGON TWO-WEEK FREEZE

(Salem, Ore.) – With Gov Brown’s statewide Two-Week Freeze to stop the rapid spread of COVID-19 across state, here’s a reminder that all Oregonians can apply for food, cash and child care assistance provided through the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) from home without having to visit an office in person.

Visit govstatus.egov.com/or-dhs-benefits for information on how to apply for assistance using the ODHS online application, email, mail, telephone or application drop off.

Oregonians who need urgent and ongoing food assistance can visit needfood.oregon.gov.

Older adults or people with disabilities who need additional information about resources available to help can call 1-855-ORE-ADRC (1-855-673-2372) or visit www.adrcoforegon.org.

Information on how to apply for domestic violence assistance can also be found at govstatus.egov.com/or-dhs-benefits.

While many ODHS offices remain open to the public for essential business, we encourage members of the public to apply online, by email, by phone, or to call before coming in. In most cases, you don’t need to visit an office in person to get assistance.

For more ways to connect with ODHS or to find other types of assistance, contact 211info:

PARKING FEE WAIVED AT OREGON STATE PARKS NOV. 27, THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) invites Oregonians to head outside for some fresh air the day after Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, also known as ‘Green Friday.’ OPRD will waive day-use parking fees that day in 25 state parks across Oregon. 

“We recognize that being outdoors makes us feel better and is a break from the stresses of 2020,” said director Lisa Sumption. “In this unconventional year, we feel it is especially important to honor this tradition as thanks to Oregonians for supporting us through our toughest times.”

Thanksgiving weekend falls squarely within the Governor’s Two-Week Freeze, Nov. 18 – Dec. 2. Accordingly, OPRD directs people to limit gatherings at parks to six people and two households. This is in addition to longstanding direction to stay local, wear face coverings and maintain a 6’ distance from other visitors.

“Following these precautions is particularly important in the coming weeks to support statewide efforts to stop the spread of the virus,” Sumption said. “When visitors prepare and care, it keeps parks safe for everyone.”

Green Friday typically kicks off a series of holiday events in state parks, but this year OPRD opted to cancel these events. 

“The pandemic challenges all of us to find new, creative ways to celebrate the holidays,” Sumption said. “We look forward to the safe return of these holiday traditions, and until then, parks are open and here for you.”

The parking waiver applies from open to close Nov. 27 at the 25 parks that charge a $5 daily parking fee. A list of parks that require day-use parking permits is available at stateparks.oregon.gov. Parking is free year-round at the majority of Oregon’s 250-plus state park properties.  

Around the state of Oregon

Lydia Jazmin, missing child alert

MISSING CHILD ALERT — MISSING FOSTER CHILD LYDIA JAZMIN IS BELIEVED TO BE IN DANGER 

 Lydia Jazmin, age 16, is a foster child who went missing from Medford, Ore. on Nov. 11, 2020. She is believed to be in danger.

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, asks the public to help in the effort to find them and to contact 911 or local law enforcement if they believe they see them. It is believed they may be travelling to Albany, Ore.

Name: Lydia Jazmin
Pronouns: They/Them
Date of birth: July 16, 2004
Height: 4’ 10”
Weight: 200 pounds
Eye color: Brown
Hair: Dark brown
Medford Police Department Case #18910
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children #14064220

Anyone who suspects they have information about Lydia Jazmin’s location should call 911 or local law enforcement.

A small number of children in foster care may be in significant danger when they run away or have gone missing. As ODHS works to do everything it can to find these missing children and ensure their safety, media alerts will be issued in some circumstances when it is determined necessary. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child.

Report child abuse to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233).  This toll-free number allows you to report abuse of any child or adult to the Oregon Department of Human Services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.

Kyla Blackmore, missing child alert.

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, asks the public to help find Kyla Blackmore. Kyla Blackmore, age 14, is a foster child who went missing from Medford, Ore. on Nov. 11, 2020. She is believed to be in danger.

Kyla Blackmore knows the Klamath Falls area and is suspected to be traveling with Lydia Jazmin, age 16, a foster child who also went missing from Medford, Ore. on Nov. 11, 2020.

Name: Kyla Blackmore
Pronouns: She/Her
Date of birth: April 21, 2006
Height: 5’2
Weight: 185 pounds
Eye color: Brown
Hair: Brownish blonde
Other identifying information: Kyla Blackmore has a nose piercing and may sometimes draw on her face.
Medford Police Department Case #18910
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children #1406373

Anyone who suspects they have information about Kyla Blackmore’s location should call 911 or local law enforcement.

A small number of children in foster care may be in significant danger when they run away or have gone missing. As ODHS works to do everything it can to find these missing children and ensure their safety, media alerts will be issued in some circumstances when it is determined necessary. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child.

Report child abuse to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233).  This toll-free number allows you to report abuse of any child or adult to the Oregon Department of Human Services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.

The Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association, the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police and the Oregon State Police encourage all Oregonians to comply with the Governor’s Executive Order during the two-week Coronavirus freeze

Oregonians have a strong tradition of unifying to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities. As your fellow community members, please join us in adhering to the Governor’s Executive Order during the two-week Coronavirus freeze. As your Oregon Law Enforcement professionals, our primary objective throughout the Coronavirus pandemic has been to take an education first approach and to seek voluntary compliance with each Executive Order. We recognize the inconvenience the pandemic and subsequent restrictions have caused all of us. We also know that the risk to our most vulnerable populations is extremely high at this time and we urge everyone to follow these restrictions in order to protect them. After all, we are all in this together.

With the issuance of the latest Executive Order, Oregon Law enforcement will continue to follow an education first approach. Oregon Law Enforcement will only take enforcement action (criminal citations) as a last resort. As with most enforcement decision making, discretion will be used if/when any Executive Order enforcement action is taken. Oregon Law Enforcement recognizes that we cannot arrest or enforce our way out of the pandemic. We can however work together in following these restrictions to make our communities a safer and healthy place.

We include the following recommendations when it comes to reporting Executive Order violations.

  • Business/workplace violations-Please report these to Oregon OSHA.
  • Restaurant/Bars-Please report these violations to OSHA or OLCC.
     

Oregon Law Enforcement is faced with many challenges one of which is typically receiving more police calls for service than available resources to respond. Because of this, we ask the public to follow the above-mentioned recommendations for reporting alleged violations of the Executive Order.

The Independent Restaurant Alliance of Oregon is asking the state for help before the “freeze” adds restrictions that impact their business.  

In an open letter yesterday, the group, which makes up over 300 restaurants and bars, asked Governor Kate Brown for a number of things including financial assistance.  The letter says shutting down costs each location about 40-thousand-dollars.  

The group wants a plan that “simultaneously supports the health” of their guests, employees, and “the livelihoods of the people and businesses.”

FATAL CRASH ON HWY 97 – DESCHUTES COUNTY

On Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at approximately 12:52 P.M., Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a multi-vehicle collision on Hwy 97 at Jack Pine Loop.

Preliminary investigation revealed a Dodge D20 pickup, operated by a male juvenile,  was northbound when it side swiped a Ford Explorer, operated by Craig Marcum (27) of Bend, that was turning onto Jack Pine Loop. The Dodge then entered the southbound lane and collided with a Uhaul econoline van operated by Jeffery Ferris (35) of Fairview. 

Marcum was not injured.

The male juvenile operator of the Dodge sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased.

Ferris sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased.

A male juvenile passenger in the Dodge and a male juvenile passenger in the U-Haul were transported to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend with injuries.

FATAL CRASH HWY 26 – CLACKAMAS COUNTY

On Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at approximately 5:20 P.M., Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a vehicle collision on Hwy 26 at the intersection of SE Kelso Rd.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a Ford Explorer, operated by Dan Smith (93) of Boring, was westbound on Hwy 26 and turned left into the path of an eastbound Jeep Grand Cherokee operated by Frank Angelcyk (40) of Astoria, New York. 

Smith was transported to Emanuel Hospital with serious injuries.  His passenger, Maxine Smith (94) of Boring, was transported to Emanuel Hospital where she was pronounced deceased.

Angelcyk was not seriously injured.

Today, the State of Oregon announced it is joining the national Get Covered 2021 campaign, spearheaded by Get Covered America, Covered California, and the Kentucky Health Benefit Exchange.

Oregon joins 14 states and the District of Columbia that are promoting Get Covered 2021, demonstrating the state’s commitment to helping people stay safe during the pandemic and making sure they have the ability to get quality health care when they need it.

“The pandemic has placed a renewed focus on the importance of staying healthy and safe,” said Governor Kate Brown. “During this open enrollment period, it’s critical for all of us to seek insurance coverage, not just because of COVID-19, but for preventive care and financial protection in case of serious illnesses and chronic conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. We owe it to ourselves and our families to get covered in order to have access to life-saving services.”

Recognizing the link between COVID-19 and the benefits of health insurance, Get Covered 2021 is focused on two key priorities:

  • Stay healthy: Every American has a role to play in reducing the spread of the virus and keeping communities safe through safe practices: Wear a mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance.
  • Get insured: Every American should have affordable insurance coverage to help them stay healthy and get the right care when they need it. Let’s make sure the 16 million people eligible for financial help now know where to go and get help signing up.

Oregon has consistently worked to help Oregonians who do not get health insurance through their job or a program such as the Oregon Health Plan or Medicare to understand their coverage options. This year, Oregonians face additional challenges to getting enrolled in health coverage due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Oregon’s devastating wildfires, but Oregonians should not delay; open enrollment ends Tuesday, Dec. 15. If you miss the deadline, you may not be able to get coverage for 2021.

Financial savings are available for most Oregonians. In 2020, more than seven in 10 Oregonians who chose plans through HealthCare.gov got financial help for monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs. Individuals making up to $51,040 per year and families of four making up to $104,800 may get help paying for coverage. These savings lowered the average premium to just $145 per month.

“Oregon is proud to be a part of the Get Covered 2021 coalition to advance efforts to protect against COVID-19, and to close the coverage gap by getting all eligible Oregonians enrolled in health insurance,” said Chiqui Flowers, administrator of the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. “We are proud to work alongside all of the partners in the Get Covered 2021 coalition to send the message in Oregon and across the nation that we are standing together to help Americans stay safe and healthy, and that coverage and financial help is there for them during a time they need it the most.”

To get started with health coverage enrollment, people should go to OregonHealthCare.gov before Dec. 15 and answer a few Oregon-specific questions to get to the right application for them. Also, they can search the “get help” directory on the site to find an insurance agent or community partner organization that can help them complete the application and enroll. Insurance agents and community partners provide local, one-on-one assistance at no charge to the client. This help is available virtually and over the phone.

Back to the homepage of WillametteValleyMagazine.com

Related posts

5 Easy Ways to Extend your Living Space Outdoors!

Renee Shaw

Willamette Valley News, Friday, Sept 25 – Covid-19 Cases Soaring in Lane County

BrianCasey

Willamette Valley News, Wednesday 7/12 – Lane County Ranked No. 1 on List of Oregon’s Healthiest Employers, Lane County Human Services Releases 2023 Homeless Count Data

Renee Shaw