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About The Columbia press. (Astoria, Or.) 1949-current | View Entire Issue (May 8, 2020)
May 8, 2020 T he C olumbia P ress 5 County’s coronavirus cases climb after seafood plant employees test positive The Columbia Press Clatsop County’s number of positive coronavirus cas- es jumped this week after a worker at the Bornstein Seafoods plant in Astoria be- came ill and all workers there were tested. At least 13 workers test- ed positive, with more tests pending. The company alerted coun- ty health officials on Friday when the first worker, a man in his 40s, tested positive. On Saturday, Clatsop Coun- ty Public Health Department met with all workers at the facility and tested 35 people who exhibited symptoms. A second positive case, a woman in her 50s, was re- ported Sunday and the plant was closed for cleaning. Results for the 35 tested on Saturday, which included the 11 positive results, were received Monday with five more pending. The county now is testing the company’s entire Astoria workforce and began tracing the contacts of those who tested positive. All the company’s workers have been directed to shelter in place at home, Vice Presi- dent Andrew Bornstein said, adding that the company is adhering to direction from Public Health. The 13 workers testing pos- itive include four women and two men in their 30s, three women and one man in their 40s, four men and one wom- an in their 50s, and one man in his 60s. Until last weekend, six cas- es of coronavirus had been confirmed in Clatsop Coun- ty. All six individuals have recovered and no longer are under quarantine. f ood and cash help Oregonians facing money and food insecurity can apply for food, cash and childcare assistance, the Oregon De- partment of Human Services said. Residents can apply from home for benefits. While many DHS o0ffices remain open, members of the public are encouraged to ap- ply online at govstatus.egov. com/or-dhs-benefits. The online application does experience heavy traffic from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., which caus- es it to be unavailable inter- mittently. Applicants should try early in the morning or late in the day. Local offices also can email or mail applications or take information over the phone at 503-325-2021. s TaTe parks As the state prepares to slowly reopen the economy, a small number of state parks – none of them on the coast – opened to the public with limited services Wednesday, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department announced. Those parks were Tryon Creek in Portland, Willa- mette Mission north of Keiz- er, Mongold boat ramp at Detroit Lake, State Capitol State Park in Salem, Cove Palisades boat ramp at Lake Billy Chinook, Prineville Res- ervoir boat ramp, Joseph Stewart boat ramp on Lost Creek Lake near Shady Cove, and Pilot Butte to pedestrians only in Bend. Limited day-use will slow- ly return to other state parks beginning Monday based on the readiness of the commu- nity around the park to wel- come visitors, and how pre- pared the park is with staff, supplies, and equipment. Not all restrooms will be open, and parking will be limited. State park camping will re- turn as soon as it can be safe- ly managed, officials said. High-density parks in Clat- sop County, elsewhere on the coast, the Columbia Gorge, and other places likely will be among the last to return with limited services. s caM preVenTion The U.S. Attorney’s Office and Oregon Attorney Gener- al’s Office formed a state-fed- eral partnership to combat COVID-19 fraud. Together, the two offices will share in- formation and resources. “Some individuals are ac- tively trying to profit off of the public health emergency,” U.S. Attorney Billy J. Wil- liams said. “Scammers have devised numerous methods to defraud people, preying on individuals’ fear, emotion, and desire to protect them- selves, their families, and their communities.” The most prevalent scams: • Testing – The sale of un- See ‘Coronavirus’ on Page 8 NEW! Telehealth visits Many CMH providers now offer telehealth appointments. A telehealth visit is similar to an in-person wellness ap- pointment with your own doctor. During the visit, you’ll talk about your current health concerns and learn what to do. Your visit can take place from anywhere by com- puter, tablet or smartphone.