County on board with Governor's approach to COVID-19 posted on 12/01/2020
(MT) – In a press release dated Nov. 25, Clackamas County
noted it will comply with Governor Kate Brown’s announcement of a more
risk-driven approach to reduce the spread of COVID-19 across Oregon. The
Governor’s announced metrics now directly tie allowed activities to clear
measures of risk – based on COVID-19
case data – helping businesses and the county plan ahead for reopening.
“It has been a long year for Clackamas County residents with
COVID-19 and the recent wildfires. Thank you to everyone for your patience and
continuing efforts to stay safe,” said Gary Schmidt, Clackamas County
Administrator. “Most Clackamas County buildings will remain open to the public
from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, as has been the case for the
past several months. Please check the
county website to confirm office hours before visiting and consider setting up
an appointment before visiting and using services through the telephone, email,
webpages or other electronic means.”
Using state data available as of Wednesday, Nov. 25, a total
of 5,574 Clackamas County residents have contracted COVID-19 this year; 77
county residents have died from the disease. County health officials warn the
recent large weekly increases in new presumed cases is alarming.
“To give some perspective, this summer, Clackamas County
averaged 100-150 positive COVID-19 tests per week. In October, it jumped to 200
per week. Last week – in just one week – we hit 811 cases,” said Philip
Mason-Joyner, Clackamas County Public Health Director. “That means we have more
than tripled our number of county residents infected with COVID-19 in just a
few weeks.”
The data-driven framework take effect Thursday Dec. 3. The
risk metrics mirror current school metrics by monitoring COVID-19 case rates
(the number of cases per 100,000 population in large counties such as
Clackamas) and percentage of test positivity.
The Oregon Health Authority will use the latest data to
update the metrics every week; since the metrics use the latest two weeks of
data, counties can potentially move between risk categories – and change
limitations on activities – every two weeks. The latest available data on these
metrics shows Clackamas County would be in the “Extreme risk” category.
Meanwhile, the county joined other counties in Oregon in
taking a “two-week pause” to fight COVID-19 starting Wednesday, Nov. 11. The
two-week pause limited social interaction, in an effort to curb spiking
COVID-19 infection rates.
“We realize that the news of a two-week pause is something
Clackamas County residents did not want to hear,” said Clackamas County Chair
Jim Bernard in a press release. “We understand this is disappointing. But it’s
necessary.”
Governor Brown ordered the two-week pause in counties with a
case rate above 200 per 100,000 people over a two-week period.
“Please don’t wait to do your part to slow the spread of
COVID-19,” said Clackamas County Public Health Officer Doctor Sarah Present in
a press release. “We understand people miss seeing their loved ones, and it’s
more challenging to wear a face covering and distance when we are with people
we trust. However, we are not going to contact trace or test our way out of
this pandemic. The change will come when individual behavior changes
collectively – that's in our control.”
Most people who contract COVID-19 get it from family and
friends who are increasingly attending indoor social gatherings and aren’t
using face coverings. Public health officials find that most positive COVID-19
cases in Clackamas County are from social gatherings large and small. Officials
said a two-week pause should help slow the spread of the virus before maxing
out hospital capacity, putting a strain on PPE supply chains and requiring
further lockdown. | 
