We know you have questions about OHA’s workplace outbreak reporting, and we have answers.
An outbreak is defined as two or more cases linked to the same worksite who have disease onset in the same 14-day period. OHA’s COVID-19 Weekly Report names businesses that have 30 or more workers total and five or more people who have COVID-19.
These people may be employees, or close contacts and family members of employees. Close contact means being within six feet of someone who has COVID-19 for at least 15 minutes cumulatively.
When a workplace outbreak reaches 20 or more cases, OHA reports it in the next daily press release, posted on OHA’s COVID-19 News page, as well as in this newsletter.
Outbreaks at four workplaces reach 20 or more cases
Today, OHA reported outbreaks at four workplaces. At each facility, the case count includes all persons linked to the outbreak, which may include household members and other close contacts to an employee. State and county public health officials are working with the businesses and facilities to address the outbreak and protect the health of workers.
- An outbreak of 20 cases of COVID-19 has been reported at New Season Foods Company in Washington County. The outbreak investigation started on Sept. 23, but the initial case count was below the threshold for public disclosure.
- An outbreak of 20 cases of COVID-19 has been reported at Oregon State Hospital in Marion County. The outbreak investigation started on July 13, but the initial case count was below the threshold for public disclosure.
- An outbreak of 21 cases of COVID-19 has been reported at McDonald’s (245 Barnett Road, Medford) in Jackson County. The outbreak investigation started on Sept.6, but the initial case count was below the threshold for public disclosure.
- An outbreak of 41 cases of COVID-19 has been reported at Oregon State Correctional Institution in Marion County. The outbreak investigation started on Sept. 28, but the initial case count was below the threshold for public disclosure.
OHA Weekly Report shows slight increase in new daily cases
OHA’s Weekly Report, released today, shows that during the week of Monday, Sept. 28 through Sunday, Oct. 4, 2,055 new cases of COVID-19 infection were reported – up 3 percent from last week’s tally of 1,999.
The number of newly tested people decreased by 7 percent to 22,548, while the percentage of positive tests increased slightly to 6.3 percent. Twenty-five Oregon residents were reported to have died in association with COVID-19 – up from 18 the previous week.
The number hospitalized was 119, down from 143 the previous week.