A5
THE ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020
Oregon health offi cials warn
about nearing hospital capacity
OBITUARIES
Frances Maxine (Potter) Dietrichs-Miller
Astoria
Feb. 23, 1921 — Nov. 3, 2020
By SARA CLINE
Associated Press/Report for America
SALEM — Gov. Kate Brown and Oregon
health offi cials warned Tuesday of the capac-
ity challenges facing hospitals as COVID-19
case counts continue to spike in the state.
The Oregon Health Authority recorded a
record 285 confi rmed COVID-19 patients in
hospitals Tuesday — a 57% increase in just
the past week and an 83% increase in the past
four weeks.
“There are limitations to what Oregon’s
health care system can handle,” said Dana
Hargunani, the health authority’s chief medi-
cal offi cer. “Even with regional planning and
the hard work of all of our hospital partners,
we cannot handle ever growing high daily
case counts and widespread hospitalizations.”
Out of Oregon’s 703 listed intensive care
unit beds, 27% are available and about 18%
of non-ICU adult hospital beds in the state are
available, based on data on from the health
authority’s website.
The previous record for hospitalizations
in the state, outside of November, was 179
in October. Prior to the end of October, the
record of COVID-19 related hospitalizations
was 165 in July.
In Portland-area hospitals, COVID-19 hos-
pitalizations have increased by 57% in the last
week. Other areas, such as Jackson and Jose-
phine counties, have increased even more
— 162%.
“Our fear that this virus would spread out
of control as the colder months set in is now
becoming a frightening reality,” Brown said.
Health offi cials said that if hospitals do
reach capacity, facilities could postpone elec-
tive procedures, use hospital beds or wings
that are now unused, add staffi ng to their inpa-
tient units or send patients to other hospitals,
both in the state and in other states where there
is availability.
Some hospitals have already begun to use
these tools, both during the devastating wild-
fi res and the increase in COVID-19 cases.
Hargunani said that the plans in place leave
Oregon hospitals much better prepared to han-
dle high case counts than in February.
However, the system is fl exible and has
capacity only to a certain point.
“For this reason, you’ve heard from state
offi cials for months that we need each individ-
ual Oregonian to take steps to limit the spread
of this virus,” Hargunani said. “We must keep
a new surge in cases from overwhelming our
system.”
Offi cials’ concerns about nearing hospi-
tal capacity emerged as daily cases reach an
alarming rate.
“This is very serious. Oregon is heading
down the wrong road,” Brown said. “While
we have plans in place to share beds and ven-
tilators if necessary, that needs to be a last
resort.”
The Oregon Health Authority reported
876 new virus cases on Wednesday, bring-
ing the total to 52,770 statewide. The state has
reported 742 deaths from the virus.
In an effort to slow the rate of transmission,
Ted S. Warren/AP Photo
A worker holds a tablet computer as he waits
to check people at a King County coronavirus
testing site in Washington state in October.
Brown announced last week that nine counties
will be placed on a two-week pause on social
activities.
The updated safety measures include halt-
ing visitations to long-term care facilities,
reducing the capacity of indoor dining at
restaurants to 50 people, encouraging all busi-
ness to mandate work from home and urging
Oregonians not to gather with people who do
not live in their household, but if they do to
limit it to six people.
These pause measures will be in effect from
Wednesday through Nov. 25 for Baker, Clack-
amas, Malheur, Marion, Multnomah, Jackson,
Umatilla, Union and Washington counties.
The U.S., meanwhile, hit a record num-
ber of coronavirus hospitalizations Tuesday
and surpassed 1 million new confi rmed cases
in just the fi rst 10 days of November amid a
nationwide surge of infections that shows no
signs of slowing.
The new wave appears bigger and more
widespread than the surges that happened in
the spring and summer — and threatens to be
worse. But experts say there are also reasons
to think the nation is better able to deal with
the virus this time around.
“We’re defi nitely in a better place” when it
comes to improved medical tools and knowl-
edge, said William Hanage, a Harvard Univer-
sity infectious-disease researcher.
Newly confi rmed infections in the U.S.
were running at all-time highs of well over
100,000 per day, pushing the total to more
than 10 million and eclipsing 1 million since
Halloween. There are now 61,964 people hos-
pitalized, according to the COVID Tracking
Project.
Several states posted records Tuesday,
including over 12,600 new cases in Illinois,
10,800 in Texas and 7,000 in Wisconsin.
Deaths — a lagging indicator, since it takes
time for people to get sick and die — are
climbing again, reaching an average of more
than 930 a day.
Hospitals are getting slammed. And unlike
the earlier outbreaks, this one is not confi ned
to a region or two.
“The virus is spreading in a largely uncon-
trolled fashion across the vast majority of the
country,” said Dr. William Schaffner, an infec-
tious-disease expert at Vanderbilt University.
Associated Press writer Mike Strobbe con-
tributed to this report.
Born in Astoria, Oregon, to Frank and school and city functions. She also enjoyed
Charlotte (Lottie) Potter, Frances Diet- gardening, quilting, sewing, crocheting,
richs-Miller attended Astoria schools and traveling and being with her family, tak-
ing part in their activities and
graduated from Astoria High
accomplishments.
School in May 1939.
Besides her husband, she is
She attended Astoria Busi-
survived by her children, Jay
ness College, then worked as a
Dietrichs and his partner, Matt
secretary at the Pacifi c Power
Gage, of Portland, Oregon; Janet
& Light p ower plant for sev-
and son-in-law, Ted Owens, of
eral years before marrying Wal-
Redmond, Oregon; Celia and
ter Dietrichs, who was serving in
son-in-law, Brian Rummell, of
the U.S. Army at Fort Stevens, in
Astoria; and Alan “Fred” Diet-
August 1944.
richs, of Astoria.
They raised a family of four
Grandchildren are Chris Darr
children. Walter died in Octo- Frances Dietrichs-
Miller
and his wife, Rachel, of Portland;
ber 1992. In May 1995, Frances
Taryn Darr, of Seattle, Washing-
married Dr. Rodney Miller, of
ton; Jacob Rummell and his wife, Katie, of
Astoria.
Frances also worked as secretary at the Astoria; Jennie Rummell, of Dallas, Ore-
First Presbyterian Church, Union Fisher- gon; Jared Rummell, of Bend, Oregon; and
men’s Cooperative and the Astoria Phy- Miranda Dietrichs; of Astoria. Great-grand-
sicians Clinic, from which she retired in daughter is Abigael Darr, of Portland.
The family extends its gratitude to all the
1983. She was an active member of the
First Presbyterian Church since 1934, sing- dedicated caregivers and hospice for their
ing in the choir for over 30 years and play- wonderful care and support for Frances
over these past several years.
ing in the handbell choir.
A memorial service will be held next
Other activities included being a mem-
ber of the Alpha Iota b usiness c ollege year.
Donations may be made to the Clatsop
s orority, and a volunteer for the American
Cancer Society and at the Flavel House Emergency Food Bank Pantry at the First
Museum. Additionally, she volunteered at Presbyterian Church in Astoria, or a charity
the First Presbyterian Church food bank for of your choice.
Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary is
many years.
Her interests included playing the vio- in charge of the arrangements. An online
lin for many years in symphony orchestras, guest book is available at caldwellsmortu-
a string ensemble and for many church, ary.com
SPORTS
Poyer pick helps Bills beat ‘Hawks
The Astorian
Buff alobills.com
Jordan Poyer intercepts a fourth down pass in
the end zone early in Sunday’s win over Seattle.
CLATSOP
POWER
States cite smooth election,
despite Trump’s baseless claims
By CHRISTINA A. CASSIDY,
ANTHONY IZAGUIRRE and
JULIE CARR SMYTH
Associated Press
ATLANTA — The 2020 election unfolded
smoothly across the country and without any
widespread irregularities, according to state
offi cials and election experts, a stark contrast
to the baseless claims of fraud being leveled
by President Donald Trump following his
defeat.
Election experts said the large increase in
advance voting — 107 million people voting
early in person and by mail — helped take
pressure off Election Day operations. There
were also no incidents of violence at the polls
or voter intimidation.
EQUIPMENT , INC.
“The 2020 general election was one of
the smoothest and most well-run elections
that we have ever seen, and that is remark-
able considering all the challenges,” said Ben
Hovland, a Democrat appointed by Trump to
serve on the Election Assistance Commission,
which works closely with offi cials on election
administration.
Following Democrat Joe Biden’s victory,
Trump has sought to discredit the integrity
of the election and argued without evidence
that the results will be overturned. Republi-
can lawmakers have said the president should
be allowed to launch legal challenges, though
many of those lawsuits have already been
turned away by judges and those that remain
do not include evidence of problems that
would change the outcome of the race.
SEVENDAY FORECAST FOR ASTORIA
TODAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
MONDAY
Jordan Poyer and the Buffalo Bills
posted their seventh win of the season Sun-
day, 44-34 over the Seattle Seahawks.
Poyer had his fi rst interception of the
season in the win, intercepting a Russell
Wilson pass in the end zone to halt an early
Seattle drive.
Buffalo improved to 7-2, fi rst place in
the AFC East division, while the Seahawks
slipped to 6-2.
Meanwhile, Poyer is having one of his
best seasons, as he now leads the Bills in
both total tackles (79) and solo tackles (60).
Earlier this season, Pro Football Focus
rated the 2009 graduate of Astoria High
School as the second best safety in the
league.
Buffalo plays next Sunday at Arizona.
SALES • SERVICE • RENTALS
34912 HWY 101 BUS • ASTORIA
503-325-0792 • 1-800-220-0792
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
REGIONAL FORECAST
Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
Seattle
50 44
52 44
51 41
Cloudy,
Winds becoming Rain; winds
afternoon rain
strong
subsiding
51 44
56 43
52 40
51 40
Showers
possible
Showers
possible
Cloudy, rain
possible
Showers
possible
Aberdeen
Olympia
47/44
48/43
Wenatchee
Tacoma
Moses
Lake
48/40
ALMANAC
UNDER THE SKY
TODAY'S TIDES
Astoria through Tuesday
Tonight’s Sky: Andromeda
Galaxy is due south at altitude of
85 degrees.
Astoria / Port Docks
Temperatures
High/low ................................ 51/37
Normal high/low .................. 55/41
Record high .................. 69 in 1907
Record low .................... 29 in 2012
Precipitation
Tuesday ................................... 0.19”
Month to date ........................ 2.39”
Normal month to date ......... 3.27”
Year to date .......................... 48.78”
Normal year to date ........... 49.74”
Forecasts and graphics provided by
AccuWeather, Inc. ©2020
Time
10:34 a.m. 8.5 4:22 a.m.
11:07 p.m. 7.5 5:08 p.m.
Cape Disappointment
10:09 a.m. 8.5 3:31 a.m.
10:44 p.m. 7.3 4:21 p.m.
Source: Jim Todd, OMSI
Hammond
SUN AND MOON
Sunrise today .................. 7:13 a.m.
Sunset tonight ............... 4:46 p.m.
Moonrise today .............. 3:40 a.m.
Moonset today .............. 3:49 p.m.
New
First
Full
Last
10:21 a.m. 8.9 3:53 a.m.
10:53 p.m. 7.8 4:40 p.m.
Warrenton
10:29 a.m. 8.9 4:06 a.m.
11:02 p.m. 7.9 4:52 p.m.
Knappa
11:11 a.m. 8.8 5:23 a.m.
11:44 p.m. 7.8 6:09 p.m.
Depoe Bay
Nov 14 Nov 21 Nov 30 Dec 7
9:24 a.m.
9:57 p.m.
8.8 2:59 a.m.
7.6 3:51 p.m.
0.8
0.3
0.9
0.4
0.8
0.3
0.9
0.3
0.7
0.2
0.9
0.4
City
Atlanta
Boston
Chicago
Dallas
Denver
Honolulu
Houston
Los Angeles
Miami
New York City
Phoenix
San Francisco
Wash., DC
Today
Hi/Lo/W
Fri.
Hi/Lo/W
78/58/sh
63/46/r
55/31/s
79/54/pc
45/26/s
85/74/s
83/59/s
68/48/pc
84/77/sh
62/48/r
74/48/s
58/48/pc
66/51/r
74/54/s
52/41/sh
42/29/s
71/60/s
56/34/pc
85/74/pc
80/61/s
67/49/pc
86/77/pc
57/44/c
74/49/pc
61/52/c
65/43/pc
Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy,
c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms,
r-rain, sf-snow fl urries, sn-snow, i-ice.
39/34
Hermiston
The Dalles 46/41
Enterprise
Pendleton 36/29
46/39
45/37
La Grande
37/32
48/43
NATIONAL CITIES
High (ft.) Time Low (ft.)
35/33
Kennewick Walla Walla
45/38 Lewiston
45/38
47/43
Salem
Pullman
42/26
Longview
50/44 Portland
47/44
37/32
Yakima 42/34
47/40
Astoria
Spokane
37/30
Corvallis
47/41
Albany
47/43
John Day
Eugene
Bend
49/42
45/35
43/35
Ontario
42/32
Caldwell
Burns
40/26
44/31
Medford
50/41
Klamath Falls
43/32
City
Baker City
Brookings
Ilwaco
Newberg
Newport
Today
Hi/Lo/W
37/24/c
50/45/r
50/46/r
46/43/r
49/45/r
Fri.
Hi/Lo/W
43/33/r
53/46/r
52/45/r
52/43/r
52/44/r
City
North Bend
Roseburg
Seaside
Springfi eld
Vancouver
Today
Hi/Lo/W
53/46/r
50/42/r
51/45/r
50/44/r
47/44/r
Fri.
Hi/Lo/W
57/46/r
53/44/r
52/44/r
52/43/r
52/44/r