COVID Update
You may have read in the news about increases in COVID infections, the new BA.5 variant and Oregon Health Authority’s recommendation for people to mask in public.
Over the past two weeks, there has been an increase nationally and in Clatsop County in COVID cases, hospitalizations and test positive rates. Although cases and hospitalization numbers have reduced in recent days, test positive rates have increased in Oregon and our county. Clatsop County’s community level is high, according to the CDC.
Since most home test results are not included in the reporting, we know that cases numbers do not fully reflect the true number of cases and that the virus is still very active in our community. We encourage residents to get vaccinated and stay current on boosters.
New Vaccine
Earlier this week, the CDC’s external scientific advisory board unanimously voted to authorize the Novavax vaccine in the US. This new vaccine is safe and effective and was created by a traditional approach. Globally, more than one million doses of this vaccine have been rolled out. This vaccine has been authorized and Public Health encourages people who are still unvaccinated to consider this recently approved vaccine.
Masking
OHA is urging people to wear masks in indoor public spaces because the state’s hospital system is again under extreme strain.
Here Are Steps Everyone Can Take to Help Reduce Community Spread
Get vaccinated or boosted.
- Wear a mask indoors in public and on public transportation.
- If You Feel Sick
- If you feel sick, get tested by a lab or home COVID testing kit - there are two in a pack. Order free COVID home tests online.
- If your home test is negative, repeat the test in the next 24-48 hours.
Steps Everyone Can Take to Help Reduce Community Spread
- Get vaccinated or boosted.
- Wear a mask indoors in public and on public transportation.
If You Feel Sick
- If you feel sick, get tested by a lab or home COVID testing kit - there are two in a pack. Order free COVID home tests online.
- If your home test is negative, repeat the test in the next 24-48 hours.
If You Test Positive:
Oregon Health Authority has recommendations if you test positive.
- Stay home and stay away from others, including the people in your own household. You can be around others again after 5 days if you feel better. You should wear a mask for an additional 5 days when you are around others.
- If you’re sick, isolate for 5 days from when you started feeling sick, AND make sure your fever is gone for 24 hours, without the help of medicine, before being around others.
- If you don’t have symptoms, isolate for 5 days from the day you were tested.
- If you are sick, take care of yourself, and keep in touch with your clinic or medical provider if your symptoms get worse.
- Reach out to your health care provider to see if they recommend medication to ease your COVID-19 symptoms and reduce the risk of hospitalization.
Drive-Thru COVID Testing Has Moved
Clatsop County Public Health now is offering its drive-thru testing for COVID-19 on Tuesdays and Fridays at Clatsop County's Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 1780 Williamsport Road in Astoria. Testing previously was done at Camp Rilea.
Testing is offered from 9 - 11 a.m. Appointments are required – call 503-325-8500 to schedule a test.