COVID-19 cases remain high in September

New reported COVID-19 case numbers have remained high over the first 10 days of September in Lebanon and Linn County, according to the Oregon Health Authority.
Linn County has had a total of 9,384 reported cases of coronavirus infection as of  Thursday, Sept. 9, with 85 deaths.
Statewide, OHA reported a total of 291,978 cases, with 3,373 deaths.
According to the OHA, Lebanon has had 2,402 reported cases from a total population of 28,613.
Based on OHA reports, since Aug. 27, Linn County’s total case numbers have exceeded 100 per day.
Over Labor Day weekend, 5,821 new confirmed and presumptive cases were reported by the OHA, with 54 new deaths, bringing the state’s death toll attributed to COVID to 3,326. Linn County’s total over the weekend was 302 new reported cases.
“The hospitals are quite busy, and it’s kind of the same old story,” said Linn County Health Administrator Todd Noble on Sept. 9. “I believe we’ve had over 830 cases in the last eight days. That’s sobering information.”
He said those cases are fairly evenly distributed across the county.
State health officials are urging residents not to visit an emergency department for COVID-19 testing, unless they require emergency care for symptoms.
“For the past several days, OHA has reported sharp increases in the daily deaths associated with COVID-19, OHA Director Patrick Allen said. “This grim trend follows several weeks of record, or near record, daily cases and hospitalizations. Oregonians should be prepared to see this tragic toll escalate dramatically in coming days and weeks.
“I cannot forget that each one of these deaths marks a failure of our collective responsibility to take care of each other. In the Oregon I grew up in, our pioneering spirit of personal responsibility meant looking out for those around us, not just ourselves. We can prevent more people from dying by taking simple steps to stop COVID-19 from spreading and making more people sick.
“The COVID-19 vaccines are extremely safe and effective at preventing serious illness and death from the virus, including the Delta variant. I urge every Oregonian who can to get vaccinated and wear your masks when you’re in public places inside and outdoors.”
“Emergency departments in Oregon are under significant strain responding to the current surge in COVID-19,” the OHA said in a statement earlier this week. “If you have a medical condition that doesn’t require emergency care, contact your provider. An urgent care center may also help you get the care you need and will save emergency departments from added strain.”
For information on where to get tested, visit govstatus.egov.com/or-oha-covid-19-testing.
The Oregon Department of Human Services announced Sept. 9 it was expanding its network of COVID-19 Recovery Units to eight long-term care facilities statewide to ensure Oregonians have access to care with the spread of the Delta variant.
These dedicated units, located within existing licensed long-term care facilities, give the state more flexibility in responding to COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities and help ease demand for hospital beds statewide. Five of the units will also provide monoclonal antibody therapy which can prevent an individual infected with COVID-19 from experiencing severe complications and symptoms.
Facilities under contract with the ODHS include Avamere Riverpark in Eugene (21 beds and monoclonal antibody therapy), The Springs at Willowcreek in Salem (16 beds) and Salem Transitional Care in Salem (16 beds and monoclonal antibody therapy).
Noble urged county residents who haven’t already done so to take advantage of “safe, effective, fully FDA-approved vaccines.
“We had not protection before, other than masks and distancing. I just hope folks that have been hesitant will consider getting vaccinated.
“The only way out of this pandemic is to be vaccinated and I encourage people to please do so.”

– Lebanon Local Staff