PORTLAND, Ore. -- Governor Kate Brown has declared a State of Emergency due to the spread of COVID-19 in Oregon.
Governor Brown made the announcement at a press conference in Portland at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday. Governor Brown says she made the decision after consulting with the Oregon Health Authority.
"I can also assure you that local and state health officials are working around the clock to address this crisis," Brown said.
The State of Emergency will remain in effect for 60 days.
"It can be extended until the public health threat of the virus is contained," Brown said.
Oregon Health Authority director Patrick Allen says at this time there are 14 positive test results for COVID-19 in the State of Oregon. That includes seven new presumptive cases.
Allen says those cases are in Douglas County, Marion County, and Washington County. These newest cases are all examples of "community spread," apparently due to contact with a previous case. None of the seven new cases were spread due to travel.
Allen says the Oregon Health Authority is working with licensed medical professionals to make more resources available in rural communities. Allen also says the OHA is expanding telemedicine, which allows health care providers to screen, evaluate, and treat patients without them having to go into a clinic or doctor's office. The OHA says that is a good way to help limit exposure opportunities.
