Coronavirus Oregon: State Of Emergency Declared As Cases Double

PORTLAND, OR — Governor Kate Brown declared a state of emergency in Oregon as the number of the new coronavirus known as COVID-19 reached 14. That doubled the seven cases that had been identified as of Saturday.

Of the seven new cases, five people live in Washington County, one in Marion County, and one in Douglas County. Three of the new cases are considered "community spread" and not related to any existing case. None of the cases identified in Oregon so far have been connected to travel.

Officials say that of the five new cases in Washington County, four are connected to the state's first case, an employee of Forest Hills Elementary School in Lake Oswego. They would not say if the new cases are people who had contact with the employee at the school, at home, or were health care workers.

Meanwhile, the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Department of Education are advising schools to remain open unless a case of COVID-19 has been found among students or staff.

One of the new patients is at OHSU.

Employees there received an email Sunday notifying them of the situation and letting them know that officials are going through records to track where the patient was at the hospital and with whom they may have been in contact.

People determined to be at risk of having been in contact with the patient will be contacted by health officials either by phone or email.

Read The Latest On Coronavirus Across America

The governor's emergency declaration gives the Oregon Health Authority, the Office of Emergency Management, and the State Public Health Director broad authority to activate reserve medical professionals to work with local authorities as well as redirect resources as necessary within the state.

"This news is concerning for all Oregonians, but my resolve and that of my administration to address this public health crisis is unchanged," Brown. said at a news conference on Sunday "This emergency declaration gives the Oregon Health Authority and the Office of Emergency Management all the resources at the state's disposal to stem the spread of this disease.

"We will do everything it takes, within our power and in coordination with federal and local officials, to keep Oregonians safe."

The emergency declaration will stay in effect for 60 days but can be extended.

Meanwhile, the Oregon Administration of Hospitals and Health Systems, which represents more than 60 facilities around the state, said that they are doing everything that they can to assist.

"Hospitals are on the front lines responding to the outbreak and are committed to providing critical inpatient and community health services to respond to this evolving situation," the president and CEO of OAHHS, Becky Hultberg, said.

"We are working with the state administration to address important issues such as inpatient capacity, additional supplies and equipment to keep our workers and patients safe, regulatory relief to ensure adequate staffing and clarity around changing requirements. "

Oregon now has reported cases in Multnomah, Washington, Jackson, Umatilla, Douglas, Marion, and Klamath Counties. Seven of the cases – all in Washington County – are connected.

Of the more than 167 people tested by the state so far, 14 have come back positive, 100 have come back negative, and the results of 40 are still pending.