Applications are now live and open for Oregon’s Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) Cultural Support program. Funds allocated to the Oregon Cultural Trust will be available to Oregon cultural organizations facing losses due to the COVID-19 health crisis. The $25.9 million in funding was made available through a $50 million relief package for Oregon culture recently approved by the Emergency Board of the Oregon Legislature.

The distribution plan for the CRF Cultural Support program was approved at the August 6 Cultural Trust Board of Directors meeting. Applications are due by noon on Monday, August 24, and approved funds must be distributed by September 15.

“We are grateful to the members of our Board for authorizing us to move forward with the distribution plan as soon as possible,” said Brian Rogers, executive director of the Cultural Trust. “We have worked hard to develop a statewide, equitable distribution plan and look forward to supporting our cultural community in surviving this unprecedented crisis.”

All Oregon cultural nonprofits and community venues are welcome to apply. Eligible grant recipients include, but are not limited to, cultural institutions, county fairgrounds, cultural entities within federally recognized Indian Tribes based in Oregon, and festivals and community event organizations. Funds will be distributed through the Cultural Trust statewide network of County and Tribal Cultural Coalitions. Funding will be determined based on eligible request amounts, an award allocation formula that establishes a base amount of funds per county or tribe and the organization’s fiscal size. COVID-19 expenses previously reimbursed by other federal CARES Act programs are not eligible. Complete guidelines are posted on the Cultural Trust website.

The intended use of the CRF Cultural Support funds is to provide financial assistance to cultural nonprofit organizations and community venues that have canceled or postponed public programming because of public health executive orders associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Guidelines for the funding are in accordance with the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

The federal CARES Act requires that CRF funding only be used to cover expenses that: are necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency; were not accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of March 27, 2020 (the date of enactment of the CARES Act); and were incurred during the period that begins on March 1, 2020, and ends on Dec. 30, 2020.

The Cultural Trust is committed to serving Oregon’s culturally diverse and traditionally underserved communities.

Posted August 13, 2020

The post Supplemental Funding Available for Local Events first appeared on UNION COUNTY.

June 17, 2020

The Union County Incident Management Team (IMT) issued a recommendation to the Union County Board of Commissioners at a regularly scheduled meeting this morning requesting citizens voluntarily return to Phase 1 regulations.  The Board approved the request as a recommendation to the community.

This is not a mandate, but a recommendation that the community implement mitigation measures consistent with Phase 1.  The IMT and the Board of Commissioners believe these actions will be in the best interest of the community.  Keeping the community safe and as healthy as possible in these challenging times is the priority.  Board approval was unanimous.

Sheriff Boyd Rasmussen and La Grande Police Chief Gary Bell were at the meeting to discuss potential enforcement challenges that have been experienced throughout the state and nation.  It was their guidance, the consensus of the IMT, and the Board of Commissioners that the recommendation be implemented voluntarily.  The community is well aware of the prolific presence of the virus in the community and will act in accordance with guidance and best practices. Since the implementation will be voluntary, enforcement will be in the form of education for those having challenges with meeting Phase 1 level mitigations.

This decision was made due to the significant rise in confirmed COVID-19 case numbers, concerns for the protection of the community, and concerns for impacts to Grande Ronde Hospital.  Voluntary adherence by citizens will apply to individuals, businesses and organizations, although many have already voluntarily returned to the Phase 1 guidance.

The Board of Commissioners also passed a recommendation to urge Union County citizens to adhere to Oregon Health Authority guidance related to wearing cloth face covering and masks.  The guidance states that cloth face coverings or masks should be worn when physical distancing guidelines cannot be observed.

Additional testing is continuing throughout the county with testing clinics scheduled for tomorrow and Friday.  As test results continue to be returned, this will reflect how far outside of the initial outbreak the coronavirus has spread.  We are asking for the community’s participation in a voluntary return to Phase 1.

Phase 1 Guidance:

Employers Guidance

Childcare Guidance

Retail Stores Guidance

Outdoor Recreation

Guidance for the Public

Guidance on Face Coverings

Guidance for Gyms and Fitness Centers

School Aged Summertime Day Camps Guidance

Personal Services School Aged Summertime Day Camps Guidance

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The post Voluntary Return to Phase 1 first appeared on UNION COUNTY.

Union County received approval today from Governor Kate Brown to proceed to Phase 2 of Reopening. This will go into effect on Friday, June 5. The letter may be read in entirety here Union County Phase 2 Letter of Approval

Key items for Phase 2 include:

• Water fountains will be closed, except those designed to refill water bottles in a contact-free manner;
• Restaurants and bars can remain open until 12:00 a.m.;
• Self-service operations, including buffets, salad bars, and soda machines are not allowed;
• Gatherings may have a maximum of 50 people present indoors, or a maximum of 100 people outdoors allowing for physical distancing and depending on area size;
• Gatherings at venues can have a maximum of 250 people based on facility capacity and square footage;
• Recreational sports practices, trainings and play for specified sports will be allowed. The specified sports have not yet been provided by the State; however the guidance states that sports involving participants coming into bodily contact are prohibited at this time.

Sector guidance is available online for viewing at www.union-county.org. If a printed version is preferred, guidance is available at the County Administrative Office located at 1106 K Avenue in La Grande during business hours.
Phase 2 Sector guidance includes:

• Indoor and Outdoor Entertainment Facilities
• Recreational Sports
• Restaurants and Bars
• Swimming Pools, Spas and Sports Courts
• Gatherings/General Guidance
• Venues and Event Operators

The Governor has stated that Phase 2 is the last full phase until there is a widely available treatment or a vaccine for COVID-19. There may be additional changes and guidance issued by the Governor as Phase 2 progresses.

Phase 2 Sector Guidance:

Phase 2 Sector Guidance – Indoor and Outdoor Entertainment Facilities

Phase 2 Sector Guidance – Restaurants, Bars, Breweries, Tasting Rooms, Distilleries

Phase 2 Sector Guidance – Licensed Swimming Pools, Licensed Spa Pools and Sports Courts

Phase 2 Recreational Sports

Phase 2 Sector Guidance – Recreational Sports

Phase 2 Sector Guidance – Gatherings

Phase 2 Sector Guidance – Venue and Event Operators

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The post Union County Receives Approval for Phase 2 first appeared on UNION COUNTY.

Contact: NE Oregon JIC (541)963-1098
June 2, 2020 16:00

La Grande, Oregon – Today, the Union County Incident Management Team transferred command of the Union County coronavirus response to the Center for Human Development, Union County Public Health. The local response to COVID-19 has slowed to a pace that allowed this transition. Public information functions will return to local public agencies.

The Union County Incident Management Team involved a total of 30 representatives from various agencies as well as individual volunteers. This included four members of Union County Search and Rescue (volunteers); three La Grande School District employees; three members of the La Grande Rural Fire Protection District; seven City of La Grande employees to include Law Enforcement, Fire Department, and City Parks; two employees of Grande Ronde Hospital; one Center for Human Development employee; one Life Flight employee; two Oregon Department of Forestry employees; one Oregon State Police Trooper; and six Union County employees to include the Administrative Office, Sheriff’s Department, and Union County Emergency Services. Many other Center for Human Development employees and Grande Ronde Hospital employees have been actively working on the incident and will continue to do so within their organizational structure.

The Incident Management Team came together to serve the community beginning in late March and continued to collaborate, communicate, and provide a coordinated response to the citizens of Union County. Planning and coordination meetings were held throughout the incident to support local efforts. Although the team held a close-out meeting today, all members will stand ready to support Center for Human Development or stand up again should the situation necessitate reactivation.

Press releases and social media postings will continue, but will be provided by individual agencies. Information regarding the coronavirus can be found on Facebook on the following pages:

https://www.facebook.com/Center-for-Human-Development-Inc-CHD-122728710568/
https://www.facebook.com/grh01/
https://www.facebook.com/eouadmissions/
https://www.facebook.com/UCEmergencyServices/
https://www.facebook.com/OregonHealthAuthority/

This will be the last daily update received from the NE Oregon Joint Information Center for the coronavirus response unless significant changes occur.

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The post Union County Incident Management Team Transition first appeared on UNION COUNTY.

A letter was submitted to Governor Kate Brown on Friday, May 29 formally requesting advancement to Phase 2 Reopening. All required benchmarks for Phase 1 have been completed and maintained by the county. The state requires that the county must remain in Phase 1 until the minimum requirement of 21 days is completed.

Additional sector guidance was provided today by Governor Brown as follows:

• Indoor and Outdoor Entertainment Facilities
• Recreational Sports
• Restaurants and Bars
• Swimming Pools, Spas and Sports Courts
• Gatherings/General Guidance
• Venues and Event Operators

 

Notification of advancement to Phase 2 is expected to be received later this week.

Phase 2 Request
Process for Proceeding to Phase 2
Phase 2 Sector Guidance – Indoor and Outdoor Entertainment Facilities
Phase 2 Sector Guidance – Restaurants, Bars, Breweries, Tasting Rooms, Distilleries
Phase 2 Sector Guidance – Licensed Swimming Pools, Licensed Spa Pools and Sports Courts
Phase 2 Sector Guidance – Recreational Sports
Phase 2 Sector Guidance – Gatherings
Phase 2 Sector Guidance – Venue and Event Operators

The post Union County Submits Request for Phase 2 first appeared on UNION COUNTY.

Union County has received approval from Governor Kate Brown to begin Phase 1 of the reopening process effective May 15, 2020.  Phase 1 does not allow for a full reopening of all businesses, and there are very specific safety guidelines that must be followed.  Phase 1 guidance for all applicable sectors can be viewed in entirety at https://govstatus.egov.com.

The following is a listing of updated sector specific guidance made available on May 14.

Guidance on Face Coverings

Guidance for the Public

Outdoor Recreation

Employers Guidance

Retail Stores Guidance

Childcare Guidance

Personal Services

Restaurants & Bars Guidance

Shopping Centers and Malls Guidance

Guidance for Gyms and Fitness Centers

School Aged Summertime Day Camps Guidance

Even if a business is approved for Phase 1 opening and are able to meet all items addressed in the sector guidance, they are not required to open until they are prepared to do so.

Counties must remain in Phase 1 for at least 21 days before becoming eligible to advance to Phase 2.  If the County begins to see significant increases in COVID-19 cases or community spread, the Oregon Health Authority will work with local public health officials to evaluate what actions should be taken.  Significant growth in COVID-19 spread could necessitate the county moving back from Phase 1 to a stay-home status.  Details of Phase 2 and Phase 3 have not yet been released.

It will be very important for the county to remain vigilant and continue to practice good hygiene.  Actions such as frequent handwashing, staying home if you are sick, covering coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue, and avoid touching your face will be important.  If you are at high risk of severe complications such as those over age 60 or have underlying medical conditions, you may want to consider continuing to stay home and maintaining strict physical distancing even though the County is allowed to enter Phase 1.  Each individual will need to continue to evaluate their risk factors and their risk tolerance as we move through the phased reopening.

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The post Union County Receives Approval for Phase 1 Reopening, May 15 first appeared on UNION COUNTY.

The Union County Reopening Plan was submitted on May 8, 2020 per the Governor’s direction. Union County has not yet received approval for reopening from the Governor, but officials are hopeful approval will be received in order to proceed with Phase 1 of the reopening process.

The plan may be viewed in entirety here:  Union County Reopening Plan Submitted May 8, 2020

Update:  Union County Reopening Plan Submitted May 8, 2020, Version 1.3

Three Health Signs We Must See to Reopen Oregon

Reopening Oregon – Details on Restarting Public Life and Business

Prerequisites for Phased Reopening of Oregon

Phase One Reopening General Guidance for:

• Public Guidance
• Employers Guidance

Sector Guidance:

• • • • Retail Stores Guidance – updated May 9, 2020
      • Restaurants, Bars Guidance– updated May 11, 2020
      • Personal Services Guidance .– updated May 11, 2020
      • Outdoor Recreation Guidance

The post Union County Reopening Plan first appeared on UNION COUNTY.

As part of the reopening plan released today in a press conference held by Governor Kate Brown, the following guidance has been provided by Oregon Health Authority. Union County has not yet received approval for reopening from the Governor’s office. The reopening plan is not allowed to be submitted until tomorrow, May 8. Union County submitted a plan last week, but will be resubmitting a plan tomorrow addressing the new criteria that was announced today.  Plan review will begin tomorrow May 8, 2020 for a potential reopening date of May 15, 2020.

The Union County Reopening Plan was submitted on May 8, 2020 per the Governor’s direction.  The plan may be viewed in entirety here:  Union County Reopening Plan Submitted May 8, 2020

Three Health Signs We Must See to Reopen Oregon

Reopening Oregon – Details on Restarting Public Life and Business

Prerequisites for Phased Reopening of Oregon

Phase One Reopening General Guidance for:

• Public Guidance
• Employers Guidance

Sector Guidance:

• Retail Guidance
• Restaurants-Bars Guidance
• Outdoor Recreation Guidance
• Personal Services Guidance

May 7, 2020

The post Reopening Guidance Provided by Oregon Health Authority first appeared on UNION COUNTY.

UPDATED:  The Emergency Commission Meeting scheduled for Friday, May 1, 2020 at 2 PM will recess until 3 PM when discussion will begin.

Union County Board of Commissioners will be holding an emergency meeting tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 p.m.  The purpose of the meeting will be to consider the Union County Reopening Plan to be submitted to Oregon Governor Kate Brown.  The Plan was prepared based upon the Public Health framework provided by the Governor’s office.  In order to reopen Union County, the Plan must be approved by the Governor.  The Plan outlines specific evidence-based requirements Union County must meet in order to begin.

The Governor’s Stay Home, Save Lives Executive Order 20-12, issued March 23, 2020 remains in effect until ended by Governor Kate Brown.  The order directed Oregonians to stay at home to the maximum extent possible in order to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Oregon.  The Governor’s order remains in effect until the reopening plan is approved, Oregon Health Authority guidance is finalized, and the Order is rescinded or changed.  The Governor has not provided a timeline for when this may occur.  Receiving approval of the Union County Reopening Plan is the first step towards an incremental reopening.

Individuals interested in listening to the meeting at 3:00 p.m. May 1, 2020 can call (253) 215-8782 or (301) 715-8592 and enter meeting ID number: 857 1197 0780.  The call-in option will be the only opportunity for citizens to engage in the meeting.

The plan is available for viewing here: Union County Reopening Plan
Sector Guidance provided by the State of Oregon referenced in The Union County Reopening Plan:

General guidance for the public_v5
Sector Guidance Document_Childcare_v6 (003)
General Employer Guidance_v6 (003)
Sector Guidance Document_Outdoor Rec_v5
Sector Guidance Document_Restaurant_v9 (003)
Sector Guidance Document_Retail_v4

Additional guidance provided by Governor Kate Brown May 1, 2020 Phase 1 Prerequisites_Final

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The post Commissioners to Consider Union County Reopening Plan first appeared on UNION COUNTY.

The post Commissioners Statement on COVID-19 as of April 15, 2020 first appeared on UNION COUNTY.

The post NE Oregon Joint Information Center Facebook Page first appeared on UNION COUNTY.

Coronavirus

UNION COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY Submitted by the Center for Human Development, Inc. Public Health Department, Union County Emergency Services and Grande Ronde Hospital and Clinics 

Today’s Date: January 29, 2020

Contacts: Carrie Brogoitti, CHD Public Health Administrator, 541 910-7207
Susie Cederholm, CHD Public Information Officer, 541 910-8811
George Thompson, CHD Public Health Emergency Preparedness, 541 910-9994

Union County Health Officials Closely Monitoring Developments Related to 2019 Novel Coronavirus

Union County health officials are closely monitoring developments related to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, or 2019nCoV, a new respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. While we are taking this new virus seriously, at this point in time we believe the risk of getting the coronavirus in Oregon is still low. Some viruses are highly contagious (like measles), while other viruses are less so. Because this is a new (novel) coronavirus that has not been previously identified, we are learning more about it every day and it is difficult to predict exactly how widespread it will become. It is not clear yet how easily 2019-nCoV spreads from person-to-person. However, as with any virus like the common cold, the flu, and the coronavirus there are steps you can take to protect yourself and prevent the spread. We encourage Union County residents to ALWAYS practice the following general prevention steps:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

One thing we do know is that influenza is much more widespread in the US and has caused more deaths than coronavirus. The CDC estimates that during the 2018–2019 season an estimated 35.5 million people became sick with influenza, 16.5 million people went to a health care provider for their illness, 490,600 were hospitalized, and 34,200 people died from influenza. There is a vaccine for influenza, and it is not too late to get it! Contact your health care provider or CHD at 541-962-8800 to schedule your vaccine appointment.

**If you have traveled to Wuhan, China or been in close contact with someone who has AND have flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, and sore throat) please contact your health care provider for guidance on how to get help. Please call before arriving. Nonessential travel to Wuhan, China should be avoided.

For more information about public health please visit CHD’s website:

www.chdinc.org

For more information about coronavirus visit the CDC website:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
For more information about travel visit the CDC website:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/china#travel-notices

# END #

The post Health Officials Closely Monitoring Coronavirus Developments first appeared on UNION COUNTY.