August 25, 2021 1:50 p.m. 

Following a request from the Douglas County Medical Examiner and the local medical community, the Douglas County Commissioners have obtained temporary additional morgue space.

Commissioners said the request was made due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases and subsequent hospitalizations that have brought about a huge increase in local COVID-related deaths in the last month. A release said the increase has doubled the need for morgue space, as officials still need to accommodate all the non-COVID related deaths that occur in the county.

The release said the Board collaborated with the Public Works Department to quickly acquire additional temporary units to increase the local capacity. The local mortuary system includes space at all three hospitals – Lower Umpqua, CHI Mercy Medical Center and the Roseburg VA Medical Center, funeral homes and the Douglas County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Commissioners said in the interest of privacy for the loved ones of these residents, no additional information will be released.