© 2024 KLCC

KLCC
136 W 8th Ave
Eugene OR 97401
541-463-6000
klcc@klcc.org

Contact Us

FCC Applications
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Oregon Gov. Brown Calls For Widespread Testing At Nursing Homes

<p>There is currently no vaccine to prevent contracting COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.</p>

There is currently no vaccine to prevent contracting COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

UPDATE (6:14 p.m. PT) — Gov. Kate Brown is calling for more widespread testing of the novel coronavirus in long-term care facilities as the virus continues to ravage the elderly living in confined spaces. The state will begin testing facilities considered at highest risk, according to a press release from the governor’s office Tuesday evening.

The call for widespread testing comes with a caveat, however; it is dependent on the federal government supplying the necessary testing materials, according to the release.

"I am deeply frustrated that Oregon is not receiving equal treatment from the federal government when it comes to supplying testing materials," Brown said in a statement. "Actions speak louder than words, and it's far past time for the federal government to step up and send Oregon the testing supplies we need."

The Oregon Health Authority and the Department of Human Services are expected to release more details this week. The state is also calling on long-term care facilities to conduct daily screenings for COVID-19 symptoms of both staff and residents. New residents and those who are being transferred from the hospital should also be tested and quarantined for 14 days before entry into a facility.

Oregon approaching 5,000 coronavirus cases

The Oregon Health Authority reported 114 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 in the state Monday. The state’s total number of known positive and presumptive cases is 4,922.

The new cases marked the second day of significant increases in Oregon, largely related to localized outbreaks. 

Sixty-one of those new cases were identified in Lincoln County, linked to an outbreak of COVID-19 at Pacific Seafood, a shrimp plant in Newport. The company released a statement Sunday saying 376 workers from its five Newport facilities were tested and that 124 tested positive. Operations are suspended at the five plants.

Health officials are working with Pacific Seafood to address the outbreak, and consider the risk to the general public low.

Officials also reported an outbreak of seven cases at Chaucer Foods in Washington County. The outbreak investigation started May 31, but the initial case count was below the threshold for public disclosure. 

The outbreaks follow Oregon’s highest daily count of known new coronavirus cases Sunday. Despite a high case count, OHA officials said the overall rate of infection in Oregon is among the lowest in the country.

Officials have reported no new coronavirus-related deaths. In Oregon, 164 people are known to have died from the disease.

Clark County cases number 603

Clark County reported 32 new coronavirus cases Monday, putting the county’s total at 603. Additionally, the county reported one new death.

To date, 28 people have died from COVID-19 in Clark County. 

According to the most recently available data, Washington has 24,041 confirmed coronavirus cases. The state has seen 1,161 coronavirus-related deaths.

Copyright 2020 Oregon Public Broadcasting

OPB Staff
Related Content