Coronavirus (COVID-19) Spreads to Oregon

On February 28, 2020, the Oregon Health Authority confirmed Oregon’s first likely case of COVID-19, affecting a Washington County resident with no known exposures or recent travel to affected areas. This person is a member of the team at Lake Oswego’s Forest Hills Elementary School.

Metropolitan Pediatrics is dedicated to the health and well-being of you and your family, and will be updating information as it’s available to help you stay informed and prepared. Follow along at www.metropediatrics.com/category/COVID-19/.

When to Call Us

It is important to remain at home so as not to infect other individuals.

We’re also happy to answer your questions about COVID-19 infection. Here’s a list of other reliable sources to stay updated:

• For general information, call 211
• OHA Emerging Respiratory Disease page: www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus
• CDC COVID-19 page: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• CDC travel notice: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices
• WHO page: www.who.int/westernpacific/emergencies/novel-coronavirus

COVID-19 Symptoms

COVID-19, like other human coronaviruses, has symptoms similar to the common cold or flu. Some people experience mild illness while others become very sick. So far, children seem to tolerate the illness better than adults and most people who have tested positive for the virus have recovered.

Call your Primary Care Provider if your child has symptoms listed below.

Symptoms typically appear within 14 days of exposure and include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Body aches
• Tiredness
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Pneumonia

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), an organization of 67,000 pediatricians dedicated to the health of all kids, is closely monitoring children’s response to the virus.

“Based on what we know, children have experienced a mild form of the disease and some have been hospitalized,” said Ann-Christine Nyquist, MD, FAAP, a member of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases. With many questions remaining about the virus, she urged pediatricians and their patients to seek information only from trusted sources – the AAP, CDC, and local and state health departments.

Protect Your Family

We know COVID-19 is spread from person-to-person, like a cold, through droplets in the air from coughs and sneezes. It is not as contagious as measles, which is a relief. For now, the best thing people can do is avoid exposure to the virus.

Other recommendations for staying well:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, about the time it takes to hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end, twice.
• If you cannot wash your hands, 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.
• Stay home when you are sick or becoming sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue (not your hands) and throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Get a flu shot! There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19 infection.