Sean C. Morgan
Local emergency responders have taken some steps to help prevent the potential spread of coronavirus, known as COVID-19, which made its first confirmed appearance in Oregon over the weekend.
“We’re monitoring the situation,” said Police Chief Jeff Lynn. “We have plans in place.”
Sweet Home Police Department will have a tiered response depending on the severity of any outbreak, Lynn said. “Right now, we’re encouraging all employees to take personal hygiene steps.”
That includes covering the mouth when sneezing or coughing, using hand sanitizer in the field and using masks when in contact with people who have flu-like symptoms.
The city is maintaining contact with Linn County and state health officials and monitoring the progress of the disease, Lynn said. Next steps in response could include limiting access to Police Department facilities, canceling training and practicing social distancing.
In some cases, where there is no suspect and police are simply documenting information, police officers may contact victims by phone, Lynn said.
“We always have to respond,” Lynn said. “We will have to go out and do things.”
Police will continue to respond to crimes in progress and do their jobs while putting “as many barriers in place as we can” against the virus, Lynn said.
Paramedics are taking extra steps when they respond to calls, said Fire Chief Dave Barringer. “Dispatch has some information they give us, which allows us to gear up for it.”
When dispatch notifies medics that a patient has symptoms similar to the virus or if they’ve traveled or been exposed to a coronavirus case, they wear “universal precaution” gear, Barringer said. That includes an N95 face mask, gloves, glasses and a gown.
Medics already generally use glasses and gloves, Barringer said. The only change is the use of a mask and gown when needed.
“We’re taking some precautions in all our buildings,” said City Manager Ray Towry, and workers are being extra diligent in sanitation efforts, continually cleaning things like door knobs and handles.
The city is staying in contact with the School District, Linn County and Samaritan Health Services, he said. “We will work with all of our partners to do what we need to do. We will support where needed.”
The Sweet Home School District is actively monitoring the situation and establishing contingency plans for its schools and workplaces in the event that the coronavirus begins to spread in the region, said Supt. Tom Yahraes in a statement Friday. “We are working with the Health Department and the Oregon Department of Education and our local health and safety agencies to stay apprised of developing information and to assure we follow suggested guidelines and checklists to keep our students and community healthy.
“Internally, we have enhanced cleaning protocols in place for our classrooms, facilities and buses,” Yahraes said.
To the extent the threat increases, Yahraes said, the district will continue to communicate with its families and employees about the district’s preparations and plans.
“At this point, our programs and activities are proceeding as normal,” Yahraes told The New Era Monday. “We have heightened protocols for enhanced cleaning.”
And the district has heightened its protocols among staff and students to promote the recommended hygiene practices, Yahraes said.
The Oregon Health Authority announced that it had confirmed Oregon’s first case Friday evening. The individual is a Washington County resident and employee of a Clackamas County school and may have exposed students and staff in the Lake Oswego School District.
According to the OHA, the adult individual did not have a history of travel to a country where the virus was circulating nor have close contact with another confirmed case, and it is likely a community-transmitted case with an unknown source of infection.
A second adult individual tested negative for COVID-19 Saturday, but a second individual in Washington County tested positive Sunday. The individual did not require medical attention and remained isolated at home. The individual was a contact of the previous case.
Monday, a third adult individual tested positive in Umatilla County. The adult was hospitalized in Walla Walla, Wash. Again the case is considered a case of community transmission, according to the OHA. The individual had attended a youth basketball game in the gymnasium at Weston Middle School in Weston on Saturday.
The Athena-Weston School District has closed the gym and will conduct a deep cleaning out of an abundance of caution, according to the OHA. The gym is physically detached from the rest of the school.
Under federal Centers for Disease Control guidelines, the spectators would be considered “low-risk” exposures, according to the OHA.
OHA epidemiologists are working with other health investigators to determine where the individuals may have interacted with other people in recent days.
Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, according to the OHA. Those who feel sick with mild symptoms and who do not need medical care should remain at home while recovering. Anyone who plans to seek care should call ahead before going to the doctor so arrangements can be made to prevent exposing others.
Symptoms, appearing two to 14 days after exposure, include fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the CDC.
The OHA recommends people take precautions to prevent the spread of many respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19 and influenza:
– Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash.
Wash your 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 your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
– Clean and disinfect surfaces that are often touched.
– Take care of your health overall. Staying current on your vaccinations, including flu vaccine, eating well and exercising all help your body stay resilient.
– Consult CDC’s travel website for any travel advisories and steps to protect yourself if you plan to travel outside of the US.