March 8, 2020 11:55 a.m.
Health officials have identified one presumptive positive case of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19 in Douglas County.
Sunday morning Douglas County Public Health Officer Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer said the affected individual is a resident of the county, and is medically stable.
A release from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said the Douglas Public Health Network and the Board of Commissioners have been engaged with multiple partners for the past month and continue to work collaboratively. Those partners include the Douglas County Emergency Manager, local hospitals, healthcare workers, emergency medical services, the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Office of Emergency Management.
Sergeant Brad O’Dell said residents can take everyday precautions to prevent the spread of many respiratory illnesses, include COVID-19 and influenza by taking note of the following:
*Stay home while sick.
*Never visit a hospital or long-term care facility while having a fever or cough illness.
*Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash.
*Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
*Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
*Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
*Clean and disinfect surfaces that are touched often.
*Take care of overall health issues. Stay current on vaccinations, including flu vaccine. Eat well and exercise to help stay resilient.
*Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention travel website for travel advisories and steps to be protected when planning travel outside the United States.
For more information on COVID-19 go to www.oregon.gov/oha.