News

April 2, 2020

Columbia County Public Health Announces Second Case of Novel Coronavirus

Saint Helens, OR—Columbia County Public Health has learned that a second resident of Columbia County has tested positive for COVID-19.

The individual is a male in the 60 to 69 age group. He is currently isolated at home. Statewide demographic and hospital information about tested positive cases is available on the Oregon Health Authority webpage at: https://govstatus.egov.com/OR-OHA-COvID-19. Columbia County Public Health will not release the names of any individuals who have tested positive or further identifying information unless more details are necessary to protect the public.

When a positive test result occurs, local public health officials conduct contact tracing, which is a way to identify and notify others who have been in close proximity to the person who has tested positive. Columbia County Public Health is currently identifying close contacts of the new case and the agency will notify those individuals, as well as provide education and next steps for the contacts.

The county activated its Emergency Operations Center on Feb. 28 to support public health operations and to coordinate the multi-agency response to the outbreak County staff continues to collaborate with community partners and other jurisdictions to collectively slow the spread of this new disease.

Residents are reminded to follow Governor Kate Brown's statewide "Stay Home, Save Lives" order and take simple steps everyone can take to slow the spread of COVID-19:

• Wash your hands well and often;
• Cough and sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue;
• Stay home unless traveling to get food, medicine or other necessary items, or if our job is considered critical and must be done in-person;
• Cancel any gatherings, conferences or non-essential meetings;
• Avoiding social and other gatherings; and
• Increase the physical space between each other in workplaces and other settings as appropriate.

Columbia County Public Health encourages all residents to stay informed about COVID-19:

• Local response: Columbia County Public Health is the lead agency.
• Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority leads the state response.
• United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.
• Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.
• Social media resources on "Stay Home, Save Lives" from the Governor's Office: https://govstatus.egov.com/or-stav-home-save-lives.

General questions about COVID-19 can be answered by calling 2-1-1. Questions about your specific medical needs should be directed to your health care provider. If you cannot find the information you need via the websites provided here or by dialing 211, call Columbia County Public Health at 503-397-7247.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

August 13, 2020

Columbia County suffers first COVID-19 death

(Columbia County, Oregon) - Columbia County has suffered its first loss to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Oregon Health Authority statistics reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

The 55-year-old Columbia County man was Oregon's 381st COVID-19 death. He tested positive on August 7 and died on August 9 at Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center. The presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

“We send our condolences to the family and want to assure the community that we in Columbia County are committed to keeping our citizens safe from COVID-19 as we continue to move forward through this pandemic,” Chair Columbia County Commissioner Alex Tardif said.

Columbia County Public Health Director, Michael Paul, said the death should remind residents of the reality that the virus is present and spreading in the community. Furthermore, Paul said, the most recent indicators released by the state show Columbia County had a 60% increase in new cases during the week of August 2 - August 8, and half of those cases were not traced to a known source.

"Statewide data indicates large outbreaks have contributed a diminishing proportion of recent cases, and sporadic cases - or those not linked to another case - have increased. An increase in sporadic cases is consistent with community spread," Paul said. "Although recent data and state announcements indicate there is a leveling of transmission statewide, the virus continues to spread locally. It continues to cause loss of life in Oregon. We urge residents to continue to protect the people in their household, as well as their fellow community members: wear face coverings, practice physical distancing, avoid large gatherings, and wash your hands frequently."

Still, Columbia’s case rate remains below the statewide rate and case rate across the metro area.

“Our lower case rate is likely due to a lower population density and less travel into Columbia County. We have also been able to trace contacts effectively, and we urge people to continue to answer the phone when we call,” Paul said. “The large majority of residents we have contacted want to do the right thing. People have cooperated, which allows us to identify additional locations and worksites where people may have been exposed, and then to notify individuals and request that they quarantine.”

Additional statewide information concerning COVID-19-related demographics and information about positive cases can be found on the Oregon Health Authority's website at https://govstatus.egov.com/OR-OHA-COVID-19.

General questions about COVID-19 can be answered by calling 2-1-1. Questions about your specific medical needs should be directed to your health care provider. If you cannot find the information you need via the website and number provided here, call Columbia County Public Health at 503-397-7247. 

St. Helens, OR - Columbia County Public Health recently confirmed the first new positive case of COVID-19 since the county was approved for Phase I of reopening on May 13, 2020.

• Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority leads the state response.
• United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.
• Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response. ###

This information will be updated as it becomes available.

For the most current information and recommendations please visit the Oregon Health Authority Website.

For residents looking for additional information on how to keep yourself and your family healthy during this time, please visit the Columbia County Public Health Department Website.

Feeling a little under the weather and not sure if it’s a cold, allergies, the flu or COVID19? Before calling 911 or going to the hospital, check out this handy online Coronavirus Checker, which can help you determine how sick you are and how to get help: c19oregon.com

Have questions about Coronavirus??

Dial 2-1-1, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., 7 days a week. or visit 211Info.org/corona-virus.

For travel guidance please visit CDC's Website for Travelers' Health.

Resources for Economic Relief

Date: 05/22/2020

Contact person:        Suzanne Beaupre, Health Promotion Specialist

                                    suzanne.beaupre@columbiacountyor.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Keep Columbia County Open

Messaging Campaign Launched for Safely Reopening

Columbia County, Ore. – Today Columbia County Public Health and the Joint Information Center announce the “Keep Columbia County Open” campaign.  With the approval of the Columbia County Board of Commissioners, Governor Brown announced Columbia County may enter Phase 1 of reopening. Read the guidelines for reopening here: https://govstatus.egov.com/or-covid-19 .

All of us play an important part as Columbia County begins to slowly reopen. Here is what all members of the community can do to keep things open as we move forward:

• Physical Distance: Be at least 6 feet from people you don’t live with.  Stay home if you are sick. Avoid non-essential trips. Stay close to home and avoid trips outside your community
• Protect Others: Cover your cough and sneeze with elbow or tissue.  Avoid touching your face. Use face coverings in public.
• Keep Clean: Frequently wash your hands for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Frequently clean your work and living space, especially frequently-touched places like doors and handles.

The best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 until there is a cure or a preventative treatment is to follow these guidelines.

Together, We Can Keep Columbia County Open.

For updates on reopening, please go to

• County website at https://www.columbiacountyor.gov/CoronavirusDisease2019COVID19
• Governor’s website at  https://govstatus.egov.com/or-covid-19  
• Oregon Health Authority at https://govstatus.egov.com/OR-OHA-COVID-19
• For general information about COVID-19, Dial 2-1-1, 7 days a week 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. or visit https://www.211info.org

To reach Columbia County Public Information Officers for COVID-19 response:

Suzanne Beaupre: 503-396-0007 - suzanne.beaupre@columbiacountyor.gov
Della Graham: 503-396-9159 - della.graham@columbiacountyor.gov

Julie Thompson: 971-757-4051 - public.info@columbiacountyor.gov

Columbia County Call Center: 503-397-7247 – health@columbiacountyOR.gov

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Columbia County Public Health encourages all residents to stay informed about COVID-19:

• Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority leads the state response.
• United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.
• Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.
• Oregon residents who would like more information on COVID-19 can call 211. Call Columbia County Public Health at 503-397-7247 if you cannot find the information you need via websites or 211.
• Social media resources on Stay Home, Save Lives from the Governor’s Office: https://govstatus.egov.com/or-stay-home-save-lives