This week we’re bringing you an Oregon Covid-19 update and tips for getting ready for college students to come home. As the spread of Covid-19 rises in Oregon, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team for assistance.
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OHA reported a new record daily case count last Thursday. Oregon has now reached 57,646 positive or presumptive cases and 765 deaths as of November 16.
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OHA's report, published November 12, details the surge in coronavirus infections in the state.
- Oregon reported recorded 5,177 new cases of Covid-19 infection —a 46% increase over last week’s record-high Oregon weekly tally of 3,542.
- This increase was in the context of a 6.1% increase in testing, while the percentage of tests that were positive jumped from 8.5% to 11.9%—another record-high for Oregon.
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Hospitalizations (212) and deaths (42) in association with COVID-19 were also at record highs for Oregon last week. Oregon hospitals brace for surge in coronavirus cases.
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Oregon, Washington, and California issued new travel advisories asking people to quarantine for two weeks after arriving in another state.
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Starting Wednesday, November 18, and lasting until at least December 2, Oregon will enter a new lockdown phase. Some counties, like Multnomah County, will experience a four-week lockdown. For more information, read OPB’s coverage here.
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Key takeaway for Oregon — more people are spending time indoors with people outside their household, without masks. It’s imperative that we continue to follow precautions. Gather outside, and if you can’t, wear masks indoors. Although masks can’t fully stop Covid-19 from spreading in a poorly ventilated space, case studies suggest that they reduce the severity of an infection.
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Is a vaccine on its way? Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert and leading member of the government’s Covid-19 response, said that a vaccine is on its way. This comes just days after Pfizer announced that its Covid-19 vaccine was more than 90% effective in clinical results. On Monday, Moderna announced that their vaccine is 94.5% effective according to clinical trial data.
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However...more data is needed before the FDA can approve a vaccine for public use. Experts are cautiously optimistic, but not yet 100% sold.
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We’re getting close to Thanksgiving, which means you might have a child coming home from college. While it can be painful to imagine celebrating TG without a loved one, it’s important to take into consideration the current spike in Covid-19 cases — and that the recent spike is due to people gathering inside to avoid the cold weather. Young people are more likely to be asymptomatic, so take that into account before committing to spending the holiday together.
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Questions you and your student should ask before deciding to spend Thanksgiving together:
- Are they coming from a locale with a high case count?
- Are there immunocompromised family members in the household?
- Is there enough space in the home for the student to keep their distance after arriving?
If your student does decide to come home, here are some tips:
- They should limit their social activities starting NOW.
- They should get tested a few days before they leave and when they get home.
- Masks should remain on while indoors and family members should keep their distance.
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If the weather is pleasant (and who knows, in Oregon), plan outdoor activities like a family hike or games.
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It’s never been more important to give back. Willamette Week’s Give Guide highlights local nonprofits that could use your support, and offers prizes for those who donate between November 1 and December 31.
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Do you need a face mask? CNSCOS has a supply of KN95 masks from Oregon Health Authority, and we’re excited to distribute them across our community as long as supplies last.
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N95 means the mask has been rated to filter at least 95 percent of airborne particles it encounters and has been manufactured to form a seal on the wearer’s face. The difference between an N95 and a KN95 mask is where the mask is certified. N95 is certified in the United States and KN95 is certified in China.
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If you would like to receive a KN95 mask, please fill out this request form.
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Did you miss our Q&A with OPB journalist?
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On October 14, we hosted a Covid-19 Q&A with OPB's lead Covid-19 reporter and former scientist, Erin Ross. Ross answered questions about what we can expect for schools in the next few months, how to safely form a quarantine-safe "pod," how to navigate public transportation during a pandemic, and more. Click the video thumbnail below to watch.
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CNSCOS is here to help anyone in the Washington, Multnomah, or Clackamas County Jewish community who has been affected by Covid-19. Our available services differ based on whether or not you have been tested positive for the virus.
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If you’ve been exposed to the virus or tested positive and are quarantining, we can assist with and cover costs for things like grocery shopping, finding housing, childcare, or transportation.
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If you have been affected in an indirect way, we can still help you find/apply for financial resources, with errands, or just calling to talk if you’re feeling lonely.
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Please do not hesitate to reach out at covid19@nevehshalom.org or call 971-990-5652! And please share this information with anyone who might need help!
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We want to know how to best serve you. What questions do you have about Covid-19? What are your biggest concerns? What kind of resources are you looking for?
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