Here is a recent interview with Oregon Mortuary Industry representatives
​about the current status of their services to our community in the face
​of the COVID 19 Epidemic.

If you would like to read the Governor's Joint Task Force 
​Plan for Health Care Systems Response click HERE.

​OHA Director Patrick Allen said, “Oregon’s health care system began preparing for a pandemic years ago, which gave us a head start on this plan. From expanding testing to securing more ventilators for Oregon hospitals, we are united by a set of common strategies to save lives in every corner of the state.”

The latest models state health officials released today forecast the following outcomes for 3 different scenarios:

• Return to business as usual: If Oregon lifted all the social distancing measures state leaders have instituted in recent weeks, there will be an estimated 15,000 cumulative infections by May 8th (within a range of 5,900-26,000). Approximately 1,100 people would need inpatient beds (850 AAC/250 ICU) across Oregon.
• Maintain bans on large gatherings and indefinite school closures: There would be an estimated 6,100 cumulative infections by May 8th (within a range of 2,000-12,000) and 340 people will need inpatient beds (260 AAC/80 ICU).
• Maintain aggressive interventions put into place on Monday, March 23rd (i.e.., Stay Home, Save Lives) with high public adherence: There will be an estimated 1,000 (within a possible range of 700-3,800) cumulative infections by May 8th. Under this scenario, hospitals would have to boost capacity by a smaller number of beds.

The models show that only aggressive interventions, like the Stay Home, Save Lives executive order Governor Brown issued on March 23rd, are predicted to decrease the number of active infections.

The models state health officials released today were prepared by the Institute for Disease Modeling. While similar to projections completed earlier by researchers at Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU), these newer models from IDM take into account the impact of community-level social distancing interventions, which were not incorporated into the OHSU study. Researchers from OHSU and other hospitals are collaborating with OHA to forecast the COVID-19 burden for their specific hospitals based on this information.

Dr. Dean Sidelinger, state health officer at OHA, said: “These projections tell us the sacrifices Oregonians are making right now can save lives. At the same time, they paint a dark picture of what could happen. We can’t afford to drop our guard.”
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This information directly affects Portland Area residents. We will do our best to keep you updated about Statewide providers in posts to come. Our Best Wishes for your Health and Wellness. 

• As of March 22, River View had no known deaths resulting from the virus.

• River View is taking (as always) the universal precautions recommended by the CDC when any infectious disease concern is present. In relation to the deceased’s body the concern is less critical (since infection from exhaled viral matter won’t happen). There is greater concern in relation to family members who have been exposed to the deceased.

• For the reason above, “Delivery Only” will be the status for all burials. That means the deceased will be buried without services as long as the stay-at-home guideline is in force. If the family wishes, services will (of course) be held later when it is safe to do so. 

• Keeping in mind there will be “Evolving Mandates”, Cremations will now proceed as usual. Cremains will either be delivered to the family or retained at the cemetery for future services.

​• As the challenges with COVID 19  evolve regionally, this information may change. ​