The Clatsop County Public Health Department announced Wednesday, March 25 that it has been informed of the second presumptive case of COVID-19 coronavirus in the county.
The individual is a male between 35 and 55 years of age and a south-county resident. He was reported to be convalescing at home under quarantine.
The county’s first COVID-19 case was reported Monday, March 23. That individual is a female between 35 and 54 years of age. On Wednesday she was reported to be convalescing at home under quarantine.
Following the report of the first case Monday, Public Health staff moved immediately according to its established case investigative process to contact the individual to gather information on others she had come in contact with, and in turn to contact those people about self-quarantine guidelines. Department staff check twice daily with positive-case contacts to ensure they are properly self-isolating. The department will follow the same process with the second case.
The male individual is not reported to be a contact of Monday’s first reported case.
COVID-19 is a highly infectious illness. Local and state health officials continue to urge all Oregonians to take steps to protect those who are most vulnerable to complications from COVID-19. Those considered “high risk” include adults 60 and older, or anyone with a serious health condition, including lung or heart problems, kidney disease, or diabetes, or anyone who has a suppressed immune system.
To help control the spread of the illness the public is urged to follow Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s March 23 executive order to stay home to the maximum extent possible.
Every resident should take these basic steps to protect those most at risk:
Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
Stay home if you feel ill.
