Coronavirus updates Monday: Lane County reports highest number of infectious people since beginning of pandemic
Lane County Public Health reported 72 additional positive cases of COVID-19 over the weekend, making the number of infectious cases the highest it's been since the pandemic started.
"We've had more people now sick in Lane County (with COVID-19) than we've ever had," Jason Davies, a spokesman for the county, said.
On Monday, the agency reported that there are 125 infectious cases in the county and that early investigations indicate that many of these individuals are less than 30 years old.
Social gatherings where health guidelines are not practiced appear to remain a dominant setting for disease transmission, according to the county.
"What we're seeing is the culprit is people who are somewhat ambivalent about masking and just having small get-togethers at their house," Davis said. "The majority of the cases that we're seeing, especially in this last batch, are very impromptu movie nights, having a few beers over at a friend's house."
Davis said these small get-togethers can have big consequences. County officials recommend social gatherings be held outdoors as much as possible and include masks.
"The only way that we will get through this is if we as a community view ourselves as part of something bigger than our family and bigger than our friend group, that we're truly all connected," Davis said.
Among the surge of positive cases, three are associated with long-term care facilities. Each of the cases are staff members, one from Hillside Heights Rehab Center, another at Churchill Estates Assisted Living Facility and the third at Valley West Health Care Center.
Each facility completed a testing event and will be testing weekly and complying with all Oregon Health Authority long-term care guidelines and Lane County Public Health guidance.
Oregon reports 201 new confirmed and presumptive cases, 3 new deaths
The Oregon Health Authority on Monday reported 201 new cases of the coronavirus. Oregon has had 30,995 total cases.
There were three new deaths reported in Oregon, bringing the state total to 529.
CDC: Possible COVID-19 may spread through droplets, airborne particles
The CDC has updated its guidance regarding how COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, spreads, now noting "it is possible that COVID-19 may spread through the droplets and airborne particles that are formed when a person who has COVID-19 coughs, sneezes, sings, talks, or breathes."
The updated guidance says, "There is growing evidence that droplets and airborne particles can remain suspended in the air and be breathed in by others, and travel distances beyond 6 feet."
CNN reported the guidance was updated Friday, the same day the agency reversed course on controversial testing guidance. According to the CDC, "indoor environments without good ventilation" increase the risk of infection via suspended droplets and airborne particles.
— USA TODAY
First few million vaccine doses will be 'godsend,' White House advisor says
Even a few million doses of vaccine would be sufficient for the U.S. to obtain "80% to 90% of the benefit" of mass vaccinations, White House coronavirus task force member Adm. Brett Giroir said Sunday. Giroir, speaking on CNN's "State of the Union," said a few million doses could be available in late November or December. Vaccinating nursing home workers, teachers, people with pre-existing conditions and the people surrounding them will be crucial to stemming the COVID-19 tide,, Giroir said.
"A vaccine as early as possible, even in a few million doses, will be a godsend in terms of outcomes, hospitalizations, morbidities and deaths," Giroir said.
— USA TODAY
Britain, facing 'tipping point' as cases surge, considers two-week lockdown
Britain’s government is upping the ante, increasing possible fines to $13,000 for refusing to self isolate. Health Secretary Mark Hancock told the BBC on Sunday the United Kingdom is "facing a tipping point" due to a sharp surge in coronavirus infections.
More than 19,000 fines already have been issued in England and Wales for alleged breaches of coronavirus laws, authorities said. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is considering a two-week mini lockdown in England — a "circuit breaker" — to stem a recent surge in cases. On Saturday, 4,422 new COVID-19 cases and 27 deaths were reported in the U.K.
"If everybody follows the rules, then we can avoid further national lockdown," Hancock said.
— USA TODAY
With flu season coming, health experts warn of a 'twindemic'
Without readily available coronavirus testing with quick results — still a major hurdle across much of the country — the resulting confusion and proliferation of cases of COVID-19 and the flu could result in what some are calling a “twindemic,’’ capable of overwhelming the healthcare system.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu has killed an average of 37,000 Americans per year since 2010. CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield has said he’s especially worried about the possible impact on the coronavirus crisis of an early peak to the flu season, which typically crests in January and February.
The chances for disease transmission are markedly enhanced as schools and colleges reopen, even when it’s still not certain the extent to which children spread the coronavirus. Recent studies indicate they can be transmitters even if asymptomatic.
“There’s a question about what role schools are going to play with COVID, but there’s absolutely no question what role schools play with influenza,’’ said Dr. John Swartzberg, professor emeritus of infectious diseases and vaccinology at the University of California-Berkeley. “Schools are the breeding ground for influenza."
— USA TODAY
US borders with Canada, Mexico to remain closed through Oct. 21
America's borders with Canada and Mexico will reopen Monday as planned. Chad Wolf, acting secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, said in a tweet that the borders will remain closed through Oct. 21. "We continue to work with our Canadian and Mexican partners to slow the spread of #COVID19," he wrote. "Accordingly, we have agreed to extend the limitation of non-essential travel at our shared land ports of entry through October 21."
Both borders were closed to all but essential traffic in mid-March after the coronavirus pandemic hit, with government officials announcing multiple extensions as case counts continued to rise, especially in the U.S. The most recent extension, announced in mid-August, was due to expire Sept. 21. Neither extension comes as much of a surprise: All three countries have seen a rise in cases since August, but Canada lags far behind the U.S. and Mexico in both new infections and deaths.
— USA TODAY
Americans rack up billions in medical debt
Medical debt is piling up as millions of unemployed Americans struggle to stay afloat after losing their health insurance coverage following a historic wave of layoffs this year. Cathy Munzer, 53, a single mother who lost her health insurance during the pandemic, said her medical bills are in collections after she fell behind on payments from being treated in an emergency room for kidney stones.
“This is going to bankrupt me. My biggest fear is depleting my savings,” said Munzer, who was a yoga and fitness instructor at two major gyms in Manhattan before she was laid off. “What happens when unemployment runs out? How will I survive?”
In August, consumer finance company Credit Karma conducted an analysis of nearly 20 million members in the U.S. and found that they have a total of $45 billion of medical debt in collections, which averages to about $2,200 of debt per member.
Medical debt has been growing further during the pandemic, rising 7% from the end of last year and just over 3% from when the pandemic started, Credit Karma says. Experts expect it to continue to rise in the coming months since there’s a 180-day lag before unpaid medical debts can show up on consumers’ credit reports, according to Colleen McCreary, chief people officer at Credit Karma. Read more here.
— USA TODAY
By the numbers: COVID-19 cases in Oregon
Reported by Oregon Health Authority, updated at 12 a.m. Friday.
Case investigations
30,342: Total cases confirmed by test and presumptive cases
521: Total deaths
28,871: Tests that are positive
599,080: Tests that were negative
627,951: Total number of tests given
Cases by age group
0 to 9: 1,419 (5%)
10 to 19: 3,115 (10%)
20 to 29: 6,580 (22%), 3 deaths
30 to 39: 5,369 (18%), 4 deaths
40 to 49: 4,971 (16%), 11 deaths
50 to 59: 3,861 (13%), 35 deaths
60 to 69: 2,431 (8%), 82 deaths
70 to 79: 1,479 (5%), 135 deaths
80 and older: 1,103 (4%), 251 deaths
Not available: 14 (0%)
Sex
Female: 15,666 cases (52%), 222 deaths (43%)
Male: 14,585 cases (48%), 299 deaths (57%)
Non-binary: 3 case (0%), 0 deaths
Not available: 88 cases (0%), 0 deaths
Hospitalized
Hospitalized: 2,356 (8%)
Not hospitalized: 24,970 (82%)
Not provided: 3,016 (10%)
Source: Oregon Health Authority
Directories of open local businesses, including those doing delivery, take-out
The Eugene and Springfield chambers of commerce are compiling listings of local businesses that are open and the modified ways they are offering their goods and services to make it easier for people to support them while staying home.
Read the full story, including links to the lists, here.
Closures, cancellations and postponements