COVID-19 UPDATE: Positive test results in UO community

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NEW:

  • Two additional University of Oregon students are determined to be positive COVID-19 cases in Eugene, for a total of 42 cases in the UO community. The students are recovering in isolation. Lane County Public Health (LCPH) has confirmed that one of the cases is linked to another case. The other is still under investigation. 
  • In addition, of the two that were reported on July 20, one has been determined to be linked to another case and the other is travel related. Travel-related cases are on the rise in our community and in Oregon. Remember to wear a face covering and stay at least 6 feet apart from others whenever you are out. If you have been traveling in an area with a high infection rate, consider a self-quarantine when you return home to protect your community.
  • LCPH officials are conducting contact tracing and monitoring for individuals associated with these positive cases. Note that UO does not report on students who may be determined by LCPH as contacts of positive cases, who currently may be quarantining for a period of 14 days.

REMINDERS:

  • Gov. Kate Brown has announced changes to the statewide face-coverings policy in response to the increase in Oregon COVID-19 cases. As of July 24, children aged 5 and up are required to wear face coverings, following the same rules as adults. Additionally, face coverings are now required when exercising indoors in public places, and outdoors when physical distancing isn’t possible.
  • Under the new rules, all bars in counties in Phase 2 of reopening, which includes Lane and Coos counties, must close by 10 p.m. The maximum capacity allowed at businesses and indoor venues has been reduced from 250 people to 100 people. These changes do not impact UO’s plans for some in-person instruction for fall term. 
  • To assist Lane County Public Health, the university has assembled the Student Corps to Combat Coronavirus, also called Corona Corps, to support countywide contact tracing and people who are self-quarantining. If needed, that group, currently 16 students, could be expanded to potentially assist Lane County with 400 to 500 contacts per day. 
  • The Division of Global Engagement has announced #NoVisaNeeded enrollment solutions for international students who may not be able to return to the U.S. for fall term. The new accommodations were announced during a town hall event this week with President Michael Schill. For more information about international updates and support, please visit this website.
  • The UO is holding multiple listening sessions the week of July 27 to hear directly from students what their needs and concerns are for fall term. Students who are selected to participate will receive a $5 gift card to the Duck Store. If you are a current UO student interested in participating, please click here and complete the interest form.
  • Details of the university’s face covering and symptom self-check policies are now available on the new COVID-19 regulations page.

You can reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19 by limiting the number of people with whom you are in close contact. Take the following precautions:  

  • Keep groups small and limited to only people you know.
  • Wear masks or cloth face coverings.  
  • Remember that exposure is defined as being within six feet of another for 15 minutes.
  • Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after touching common surfaces.
  • Don’t share drinks, vapes, or utensils.

RESOURCES:

GENERAL INFORMATION:

  • The Oregon Health Authority reports 16,104 confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases in the state, 435 cases in Lane County, 3,813 in Multnomah County, and 76 in Coos County on July 24. Forty-two members of the UO community have tested positive.
  • The university continues to work in close coordination with the Oregon Health Authority and our companion institutions and agencies. Additional resources are available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Oregon Health Authority, and your health care provider.
  • As a reminder, the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. The Centers for Disease Control outlines some general precautions to minimize the spread of respiratory diseases. 

The UO is providing biweekly COVID-19 updates, on Mondays and Thursdays. Urgent information will be shared through direct emails.

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