Eleventh COVID-19 Death Reported in Umatilla County | Coronavirus

Omatilla County, Oregon-Umatila County Public Heath reported the 11th COVID-19 related death.

Umatilla County Public Heath Press Release: July 21, 2020

Umatilla County Public Health (UCo Health) is aware of the concerns of the community surrounding COVID-19. We work with multiple health agencies and community partners to disseminate accurate and up-to-date information.

UCo Health is sad to report the death of an individual diagnosed with COVID-19. For counseling and crisis support services, you can access Lifeways at 866-343-4473 by phone. Interpreter service is available. We encourage everyone to respect as a family in the sadness of our community.

Eleventh death from COVID-19 in Umatilla County was positive on July 9 and was a 77-year-old man who died at the Regency Hermiston Nursing Rehabilitation Center on July 20. This individual had an underlying disorder.

Recognizing a very unusual situation where the endpoint is unknown, it is expected that stress, fear and anxiety will increase among the residents of Umatilla County. UCo Health encourages residents of Umatila County to prioritize physical and mental health throughout this period. Monitor for common signs of distress (eg, changes in appetite, poor concentration, difficulty sleeping, worsening chronic health problems, increased use of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs), and if necessary Ask for help (you can contact the SAMHSA Helpline at 1-800-985-5990). During this time, it is very important to minimize or eliminate large gatherings. Remember to be at least 6 feet away from others.

UCo Health is currently reporting 25 new positive cases of COVID-19 in Umatilla County. We are in contact with these individuals and conduct intensive contact surveys in accordance with Oregon Health Authority (OHA) survey guidelines.

The Oregon Department of Health (OHA) called for positive cases weekly to assess symptoms and report cases that recovered. Due to the progress of the incident in the state, OHA reports that it has not made these calls or evaluated this information. OHA currently believes that COVID-19 cases will recover 60 days after onset. In line with this change, the term inactivity is used to describe an individual who has been free of symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, and diarrhea for 72 hours at least 10 days after onset of illness.

An estimated case is a person who is not positive for PCR, a “polymerase chain reaction” that confirms whether it is COVID-19, but who is symptomatic and has close contact with a confirmed case. Later, if the PCR test is positive, it will be reclassified as a confirmed case.

It is essential that anyone at home be presenting with symptoms of respiratory illness. UCo Health continues to discover cases where individuals continue to work while ill. It is now more important than ever for companies to prevent employees from working because of illness. Employees may find internal and external pressure to overcome mild illness. Businesses are encouraged to develop flexible vacation policies to support sick employees and establish procedures to send unsatisfactory employees to their homes. A person who has symptoms of respiratory illness should stay home for 72 hours after all symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, diarrhea, etc.) have been resolved.

We ask Umatilla County residents to call COVID-19 questions at 211. If you have a fever, cough, or shortness of breath, call your doctor first and discuss your next steps. If you need emergency medical attention, please call 911.

COVID-19 does not target people of any particular race, ethnicity, country of origin, or geographical location. The spread of COVID-19 to the community can occur anywhere in Umatilla County at any time.

We will continue to update the Umatilla County Public Health Facebook page as new information becomes available. County-specific test result data is available on our website ucohealth.net Updated from Monday to Friday. Location maps and demographic information are updated weekly. For more information, visit the Oregon Health Authority and CDC COVID-19 websites.