October 15, 2020
Especially as COVID-19 continues to spread
OHA is urging everyone 6 months and older to get an annual flu shot, especially as COVID-19 cases increase in Oregon, and the pandemic persists.
"Flu vaccines are safe and effective, and with ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks, it is more important than ever to get a flu shot to keep the people around you healthy,” said Paul Cieslak, M.D., public health physician at the Oregon Health Authority.
While it is unclear how the pandemic will affect the flu season, OHA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are preparing for COVID-19 and seasonal flu to spread at the same time. A “twindemic” of two potentially fatal viruses circulating at the same time could burden the state’s health care system and result in many illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths, Cieslak said. Getting a flu vaccine is something easy people can do to protect themselves and their loved ones and help reduce the spread of flu this fall and winter.
The flu vaccine may take up to two weeks to become effective, so getting it earlier in the season – like now is ideal. That’s why OHA is promoting a “Don’t Wait to Vaccinate” campaign with social media cards and other messaging starting today.
Flu vaccine is available from health care providers, local health departments and many pharmacies. The vaccine is free or low cost with most health insurance plans. To find a flu vaccine clinic, visit http://www.flu.oregon.gov/ and use OHA’s flu vaccine locator tool.
Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent the flu. Additional ways Oregonians can help prevent the spread of flu include:
- Staying home from work or school when you are sick and limit contact with others.
- Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Washing hands frequently with soap and water. Use an alcohol-based hand rub if soap and water are not available.
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects that may have flu germs on them.
- Avoiding getting coughed and sneezed on.
Check out these infographics about flu shots and share them with your friends and family on your Facebook and Instagram accounts.
COVID-19 is reshaping how Oregonians celebrate holidays, including Halloween. But that doesn’t mean Halloween can’t still be spooky and fun this year! Yesterday, OHA held a Facebook Live with public health physicians, Dr. Shimi Sharief and Dr. Claire Poche, to answer questions and offer tips on how to celebrate Halloween safely.
Follow the links below to view the video.
English link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPn6fT6BrcQ&feature=youtu.be
Spanish link: https://www.facebook.com/OHAespanol/videos/615162715827994
Here are timestamps of the questions:
Questions:
3:44 – Every year our store sets out bowls of individually wrapped candies for our customers to help themselves to. Is this something we can still do?
4:25 – Can I just layer a face covering under my Halloween mask?
5:00 – If the goal is to stop the spread of droplets, wouldn’t a plastic Halloween mask work just fine?
6:08 – How is getting handed candy while trick or treating different than getting handed takeout at a drive-thru or restaurant?
8:04 – What about a social distancing candy dispenser or chute?
8:33 – Why are face shields considered safe if Halloween masks are not?
9:47 – Wouldn’t it be safe to individually wrap candy for trick or treaters?
10:10 – Why wouldn’t a Halloween mask protect us if it’s made of the same fabric as a face covering?
10:40 – Is it possible to make trunk or treating safe in some way?
13:25 – What is safe for trunk or treat events? Is trunk or treating just as risky as trick or treating?
15:05 – So is trick or treating not happening due to safety?
16:26 – Have you considered creating a low to high risk document for families to follow?
16:58 – Can we do an outdoor costume parade?
18:18 – We’re hearing that some of the alternative events folks are planning could be less safe than trick or treating. Can we tell folks how to safely trick or treat outdoors?
The low to high risk activity graphic discussed during the Facebook live can be found here: https://bit.ly/3dtiAvK
An outbreak of 21 cases of COVID-19 was reported at Georgia Pacific in Linn County. The case count includes all persons linked to the outbreak, which may include household members and other close contacts to an employee.
The outbreak investigation started on Oct. 7, but the initial case count was below the threshold for public disclosure. State and county public health officials are working with the company to address the outbreak and protect the health of workers.
COVID-19 has claimed three more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 611, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.
The Oregon Health Authority reported 374 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today bringing the state total to 38,525.
The new cases are in the following counties: Benton (15), Clackamas (21), Clatsop (2), Columbia (3), Coos (1), Crook (2), Deschutes (7), Douglas (5), Jackson (17), Josephine (5), Klamath (1), Lane (33), Lincoln (5), Linn (12), Malheur (14), Marion (34), Morrow (1), Multnomah (110), Polk (12), Tillamook (1), Umatilla (17), Union (2), Wallowa (1), Wasco (1), Washington (46), and Yamhill (6).
Oregon’s 609th COVID-19 death is a 91-year-old woman in Lane County who tested positive on Sept. 29 and died on Oct. 10, in her residence. She had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 610th COVID-19 death is an 82-year-old woman in Marion County who tested positive on Oct. 7 and died on Oct. 10. Place of death is being confirmed. She had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 611th COVID-19 death is a 60-year-old man in Marion County who tested positive on Aug. 8 and died on Oct. 13, at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.
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