March 12, 2020 6:25 a.m.
The Oregon Health Authority said there are now 21 presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in the state.
Two new cases announced Wednesday night are men over the age of 80 who live at the Oregon Veterans Home in Lebanon. That means the virus is now impacting people in eight counties. Like cases announced earlier Wednesday from residents of Polk, Marion and Deschutes counties, the newest cases had no known close contact with confirmed cases, so they are considered community spread.
An OHA release said an Infection Control and Specimen Collection Strike Team, will deploy to Linn County. The Team will work with the facility to assess infection control. The team will collect specimen samples for COVID-19 testing all the home’s residents and care providers.
Upon initial evaluation, residents with symptoms were initially tested for flu and respiratory illness. As an extra precaution, that facility had previously switched its ventilation system to circulating 100 percent outside air to mitigate the potential spread of infectious disease.  The residents continued to receive appropriate medical care and were placed in isolation. The release said that infectious disease prevention protocols also continued to be followed to protect other residents and staff.
Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affair Director Kelly Fitzpatrick, said “our highest priority has always been the health and safety of our most honored veteran residents that we serve in our two veteran’s homes”.