Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update - 3

SWEET HOME, Ore. March 12, 2020 — Today, city staff continued to monitor the situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and evaluate all options. We understand there are still two COVID-19 cases within Linn County, which will keep us at TIER II of our Pandemic Response Plan. Tier II includes efforts to decrease human-to-human contact and enhanced disinfectant measures. We have been in contact and collaborating with our regional partners as we evaluated the situation. Our regional partners include: 

• Sweet Home Fire District
• Sweet Home School District
• Sweet Home Senior Center
• Boys & Girls Club
• City of Lebanon
• Linn County Emergency Management 
• Linn County Health Department

After careful consideration, the status of city facilities remains unchanged: 

• Library: CLOSED until further notice.  Due to the limited space in our facility our patrons & staff can not practice recommended, "social distancing." Further, the dominant user groups of the facility tend to be the most susceptible to these types of illness.  Library patrons can access books online through Library2Go. All due dates have been extended. Dates for items on hold have also be extended. 
• Public Works: ​Fully operational but CLOSED to the public​
• City Hall: OPEN normal business hours.​ 
• Courts: OPEN normal business hours.​ 
• Police: OPEN normal business hours.​

Staff is following CDC recommended cleaning and disinfecting protocols. ​Our focus is on the safety and well-being of our community members and employees. We will strive to help keep people informed on issues related to prevention, warnings and changes to city operations. 

There are two information sources we are continuously monitoring, which we recommend you follow them as well:

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) - COVID-19 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

OHA continues to advise all people in Oregon take everyday precautions to prevent the spread of many respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19 and influenza:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Take care of your health overall.
  • Staying current on your vaccinations, including flu vaccine, eating well, and exercising all help your body stay resilient.
• Call your healthcare provider if you have symptoms. They will identify the safest way to receive care. Let them know if you have traveled to a high risk area. 
• Clean and disinfect surfaces that are often touched.
• Consult CDC’s travel website for any travel advisories and steps to protect yourself if you plan to travel outside of the US.