Read on Twitter
OHA State Health Officer Dr. Dean Sidelinger speaking during today’s media availability: "Our latest update to the modeling shows troubling scenarios indicating rapidly increasing infection numbers – with potential exponential growth over the next several weeks."
"The virus is extraordinarily contagious and as the weather turns and we head indoors it& #39;ll be more important than ever to practice preventive measures:
o Keep physically distant
o Wear a face covering
o Restrict the size of your gatherings
o Maintain good hand hygiene"
o Keep physically distant
o Wear a face covering
o Restrict the size of your gatherings
o Maintain good hand hygiene"
"Let me lay out the three scenarios we modeled."
"We also know that COVID-19 is more deadly than the seasonal flu. National estimates of the last 3 flu seasons indicate that 0.06% to 0.14% of Americans who contracted flu died from it. On the other hand, national data shows that 2.8% of people diagnosed with COVID-19 have died."
"Respiratory viruses tend to be more severe in the older adult population and COVID-19 is particularly so. 14.5% of people over 65 years of age died from COVID-19. The numbers are stark and show why we must take this virus so seriously."
"Also, while we know that age & underlying conditions can make COVID-19 infections more severe, there are many people who are younger or in good health for whom a COVID-19 is severe or even deadly. It’s not only people in poor health or older people who are dying from COVID-19."
"Each year millions of doses of flu vaccines are produced and distributed nationwide. They are highly effective, even in years when they don’t produce a tight & #39;match& #39; to the strain of influenza that circulates. So, you can protect yourself from the flu by getting a vaccine."
"There’s no evidence that the flu shot would cause people to be more susceptible to #COVID19. The single biggest risk factor is risky behavior like exposure to large groups of people without a mask, indoors, for long periods of time."
"A flu shot will also not cause you to test positive for #COVID19. The COVID-19 tests are specific to that virus and do not detect other viruses. There’s no overlap."
"And finally let me provide an update on the state’s planning around a COVID-19 vaccine. Today OHA is submitting to the CDC its plan for allocating and distributing a COVID-19 vaccine in Oregon once a safe and effective vaccine becomes available."
"It’s important to note that we do not yet know what vaccine or vaccines will be approved, nor the timing of that approval. I also wanted to address questions we’ve gotten in recent weeks that some states are establishing independent panels to review any COVID-19 vaccine."
"OHA is not establishing such independent panels. As is our standard practice, OHA senior health advisors review available data on vaccine safety & the recommendations from independent safety review boards to ensure that the vaccines Oregonians receive are both safe & effective."
"So, to wrap up, as our case counts rise, we continue to urge Oregonians to modify their behaviors to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This means that Halloween and other gatherings must look different this year. It takes effort from every single one of us to contain it."
