Gov. Brown outlines gatherings ban, other steps amid ‘unprecedented public health crisis’
(Update: Adding Gov. Brown, other official comments)
PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Gov. Kate Brown on Thursday offered details of the state's "urgent new rules" to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Oregon, including a ban on large gatherings and most school functions outside of classes and restrictions in the workplace and at long-term care facilities.
"We find ourselves in an unprecedented public health crisis," Brown told reporters. "Most of us have never experienced anything like this."
The governor said Oregon, like other states, "is shifting away from containing isolated cases. Now we are focused on preventing the worst impacts of a mass outbreak from coming to pass."
Brown detailed the efforts to slow the transmission of the virus, based on Centers for Disease Control and Oregon public health officials' recommendations.
The ban on all large gatherings of over 250 people will go for four weeks, until April 8. Brown stressed that it applies to organized events, "not other palces where large numbers of people gather, such as stores, shopping centers or schools."
As for schools, beyond the move to not hold any group activities or gatherings, "consideration of school closures will be a last resort," the governor said, following up on her executive order issued late Wednesday night.
"Let me be clear: Coronavirus is in our communities. We should be prepared for thousands of cases in Oregon," she said.
"These steps will have an impact on our daily lives, our livelihoods and our economy," Brown said. "But these steps can help save lives. This is what's at stake. This disease does not discriminate. We are all facing this together."
Dr. Dean Sidelinger, the state's public health officer, said current estimates are that there are likely 150 to 200 cases in Oregon at present -- and if no such preventative steps are taken, the cases could double every week, by "conservative estimates," and that would mean 75,000 cases in Oregon by mid-May without taking action, swamping hospitals and agencies.
During reporter questions, Brown said the large public gatherings ban does apply to private functions like weddings. For those that don't top the 250-person bar, Brown encouraged wedding organizers to have the elderly and those with underlying conditions stay home.
"Obviously, we want our weddings and marriages to go forward," the governor said.
Brown said the 250 figure was based on CDC guidelines an public health officials' recommendations.
Sidelinger said the state is "working on multiple fronts" to make more COVID-19 testing available. Several hospital systems should be up and running in the next week to provide testing as well, he said. Testing at the state's Public Health Laboratory prioritizes those hospitalized and with viral pneumonia.
Brown called it "critically important for our children to remain in school, to get the education they need," as well as meals and other needed services.
Asked about church services and gatherings, the governor said they apply as well.
"I understand this is a hardship for many, many families," Brown said. "I urge Oregonians to comply with the spirit of recommendations: and to offer ways online and in smaller groups "for Oregonians to get the spiritual guidance they need."'
Oregon Health Authority Director Patrick Allen said shortages of some items such as hand sanitizer tie back to demand in China, where much of the supply is produced. "These shortages will continue and may become significant, despite the federal government's effort to have companies ramp up production," he said.
Regarding jails and prisons, Allen said OHA is working with the state Department of Corrections to tailor some recommendations to their environment.
Brown noted the recipe for hand sanitizer passing around online and assured that she was told by health experts that soap and water, used properly, are the best option.
Brown also addressed the concerns over testing capacity and said Oregon is working with federal partners. "The federal agencies are the only ones who can expand our testing capacity, and we are calling on them to do that."
Latest Oregon cases info: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/DISEASESAZ/Pages/emerging-respiratory-infections.aspx
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Wednesday night news release:
The following measures are based on the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Oregon public health experts, epidemiologists, and health professionals.
Brown will address the strategies at a press conference at 9 a.m. Thursday in Portland, which will be livestreamed at this link: The event will be live-streamed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PruG7QBbSUs
including:
- Large gatherings: All large gatherings over 250 people will be canceled statewide effective immediately for four weeks. A gathering is defined as any event in a space in which appropriate social distancing of a minimum of three feet cannot be maintained.
- Schools: In addition to previous guidance issued on March 8, 2020 to keep schools open, all non-essential school-associated gatherings and group activities should be canceled — such as group parent meetings, field trips and competitions.
- Workplace: Recommended implementation of distancing measures including an increased physical space between employees in offices and worksites, limited in-person meetings, limited travel, and staggered work schedules where possible.
- Long-Term Care and Assisted Living: Strict limitations announced this week by the Oregon Health Authority and Department of Human Services remain in place.
As the number of positive cases increases across Oregon, public health resources will be directed toward implementing the guidelines and policies in this statewide mitigation plan, and reducing focus on aggressive contact follow-up on each individual positive case.
“Nobody is immune to this virus, it can touch everyone," said Governor Brown. “We can't let fear and anxiety stigmatize people. We are seeing cases across multiple counties and age groups, and in people exposed through different circumstances. It's time for us all to do what we can to slow its spread and take care of one another."
Governor Brown submitted an updated request to Vice President Pence today outlining Oregon’s urgent needs from the federal government to support coronavirus response efforts in Oregon, as well as anticipated needs moving forward.
The Oregon Health Authority announced new steps to expand access to COVID-19 testing.
State epidemiologists have updated COVID-19 testing guidelines to emphasize that outpatient clinicians can order a test for the virus from a commercial laboratory, at their discretion, without OHA authorization.
In addition, the procedure for collecting a COVID-19 sample is no longer classified as a high-risk, airborne testing process, requiring N95 masks. Under the recommendations, health care providers will only be required to wear a regular mask, gown, gloves, and eye protections, making the procedure for safely collecting samples simpler to administer for health care workers and easier to obtain for patients.
Finally, state health officials announced that they have agreements with five hospital systems to conduct COVID-19 testing. State health officials and hospital administrators urged anyone considering a COVID-19 test to consult with your health care provider before seeking a test at a local clinic or hospital.
