COVID-19 RESOURCES
PBDG will continue to add new and relevant information as it becomes available.
IMPORTANT UPDATES
These COVID-19 updates include data complied from the OHA, CDC, FDA, NW Oregon Health Preparedness Organization, and Multnomah County. Please help spread the word to protect our communities and encourage vaccination.
Natural Immunity vs Vaccination: According to OHA’s weekly report, immunity from vaccinations provides a three times higher level of protection than natural immunity.
Breakthrough Cases: According to the most recent Oregon Breakthrough Case report, the rate of COVID-19 cases among unvaccinated individuals is approximately six times the rate of COVID-19 cases among fully vaccinated individuals. To date, 5.5% of all known breakthrough cases have been hospitalized, and only 0.9% have died. 84% of the deaths among breakthrough cases occurred in people ages 70 and above.
Ivermectin Warning: The FDA and CDC have issued warnings against the use of ivermectin for COVID-19 prevention or treatment, due to rapid nation-wide increase in severe illness associated with ivermectin products. The Oregon Poison Center at OHSU reported an increase in calls involving intentional misuse of ivermectin. This drug should not be used as a COVID-19 treatment.
Masking Guidance: Starting Friday, August 27, masks are required in most public outdoor settings – regardless of vaccination status – when individuals from different households are unable to maintain physical distance. Children under five years old, persons experiencing houselessness, and a few others are exempt. Learn more about Multnomah County’s Gatherings and Get Togethers.
Vaccinations: The FDA issued full approval of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 16 and older. The vaccine will be marketed under the name Comirnaty. It is still available for emergency use authorization for youth aged 12-15 and for certain immune-compromised people in need of a booster dose. Third doses of mRNA vaccines have been authorized for emergency use by the FDA for people with compromised immune systems. The CDC has strongly recommended that pregnant people be vaccinated. While no timeline is certain, OHA is planning for the possibility of FDA and CDC emergency use authorization (EUA) of COVID vaccine for children ages 5-11 in October and EUA for ages 6 months to 4 years in November or December. There are about 500,000 children in Oregon in these age groups. At this time, there are observable equity gaps in vaccination rates in our 12-17 aged populations.
In early July 2021, Oregon reached 70% of all adults vaccinated, but the vaccination rates vary by demography and geography. Oregon Health Authority established an 80% vaccination goal to close the equity gap – an 80% goal across the state is achievable and provides greater immunity to all people in Oregon.
Find a vaccination site near you.
ASSISTANCE
Coping with the existence of COVID-19 and how it has changed our daily lives is difficult enough. That’s why the City, County, State and federal government are all working to help provide relief for homeowners, renters and those experiencing homelessness.
Governor Kate Brown has extended the moratorium on residential foreclosures to the end of the year – December 31, 2021. Oregon continues to deploy federal financial relief both for Oregonians who rent or own their homes. See the resources below for more information:
Homeowners: Contact your mortgage servicer to determine whether or not your loan is backed by the Federal Government and to understand additional eligibility requirements. See the resources below for more information.
Renters: If you can demonstrate a substantial loss in income due to the COVID-19 pandemic you can defer your rent payments. Rent payments are not being forgiven, you will still be obligated to repay missed payments.
Federal and Private Mortgage Relief Information & FAQ.
Utilities: The three largest utilities in Oregon, Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, and Northwest Natural, have all announced a suspension of disconnects and/or late fees to support Oregonians during the COVID-19 outbreak.
- NW Natural | For more information visit www.nwnatural.com or call 1-800-422-4012
- Portland General | For more information visit www.portlandgeneral.com or call 800-542-8818
- Pacific Power | Customers can call 1-888-221-7070
- Portland Water | Water service will not be disconnected for non-payment of sewer/stormwater/water bills. For more information call 503-823-4874 or email PWBCustomerService@portlandoregon.gov
Regional Resources
- Portland Housing: Eviction Moratorium FAQ
- Multnomah County: Eviction Moratorium Information
- A Home for Everyone: List of service changes due to COVID-19.
- Home Forward: Short-term help paying rent.
- Portland Emergency Hygiene Stations: Hand washing stations and portable toilets map
- Portland Street Medicine: Provides medical care for people experiencing homelessness.
- Impact NW: Offers services to prevent homelessness.
- Fund for PPS Students – Free Internet
State & Federal Resources
- Oregon Housing and Community Services
- 211 Utility Assistance Program: Online database to find utility assistance programs in Oregon and Southwest Washington.
ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE
Regional Resources
- Meds on Wheels | Prescription medicine delivery service provided by Portland Fire & Rescue. If you know of anyone having trouble obtaining prescriptions, please have them contact this referral line number: (971) 288-7687.
- Multnomah County Health Department | Assistance with insurance enrollment in multiple languages.
- Primary Care Clinics | Virtual and telemedicine services are available.
- Parkrose Student Health Center | Open to any school-aged youth in Multnomah County all summer.
- Coalition of Community Health Clinics| For more information, call (503) 546-4991 or email info@coalition-clinics.org.
State & Federal Resources
If you have lost your health insurance due to COVID-19, there are a number of different options depending on your circumstances. Those may include the following:
- Marketplace coverage through healthcare.oregon.gov
- Oregon Health Plan—OHP provides health care for low-income Oregonians.
- COBRA— When you lose job-based insurance, you may be offered COBRA continuation coverage by your former employer.
- State continuation— State continuation applies to those who have had continuous health coverage (not necessarily with the same employer) for at least three months before the date employment or coverage ended.
- Medicare— Medicare is for U.S. citizens 65 and older who meet residency requirements and some blind and disabled people younger than 65.
- Your previous employer decides to continue paying for employer-based coverage through a spouse’s insurance.
NUTRITION ASSISTANCE
Regional Resources
- Oregon Food Bank: Find food near your home. For more information call (503) 505-7061 or email gethelp@oregonfoodbank.org.
- Blanchet House: Provides free to-go meals three times a day, six days a week. Call (503) 241-4340 for more information.
- Sunshine Division: Delivers emergency food boxes. Request a box.
- Multnomah County: School access sites.
Federal Resources
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
State of Oregon | COVID-19 Resources
City of Gresham | COVID-19 Resources
City of Lake Oswego | COVID-19 Resources
City of Eugene | COVID-19 Resources
COVID-19 Related Meeting/Class Recordings
COVID-19 Testing in Oregon
Small Business Legal Resources for Pandemic Related Issues
Governor’s Orders and OHA Guidance
- Executive Orders – Available in multiple languages
- Governor’s COVID-19 web page
- Temporary rule suspensions (OAR) due to COVID-19
- Press releases from the Governor’s Office
PPE Supplier
National Safety, Inc.
Matt Strand
www.nationalsafetyinc.com
360-253-7378
(c)360-949-5223
matt@nationalsafetyinc.com
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