A shortage of test kits and a surge in omicron cases has driven skyrocketing numbers of COVID-19 cases in Clatsop County. These and their impacts on local businesses were at top of mind for members of the Seaside Chamber of Commerce last Wednesday, as they hosted Margo Lalich, Clatsop County’s interim public health director, at the Bob Chisholm Community Center.

“I receive calls frequently from business owners, as well as the chamber directors, just wanting to get some guidance around how to proceed with events,” Lalich said. “Let’s keep it simple and focus on what’s essential. That’s my approach to this pandemic. We want to keep it as simple as possible so that we can manage it and carry on with our day-to-day lives, to support and create community, which is very important for all of us, and so important for the health and well-being of the community.”

Lalich, who lives in Cannon Beach, has spent her whole career in public health, both globally and locally.

A former Clatsop County public health director, she ran a statewide school-based health program for the state of Hawaii before returning here.

As virus cases have increased, the department is focusing on the highest risk populations.

There is a movement away from individual case investigation and contract tracing, she said.

“With omicron, there’s such extensive community transmission that it’s not feasible anymore,” Lalich said. “And it just doesn’t make sense. It’s not a good use of resources.”

Any positive case that’s identified through a laboratory or county testing site is reported by law to public health, she said. Home tests are not reportable to public health.

“We also look at the context of their community, whether it’s a care setting, K-12 education or a carceral setting. If it’s in a long-term care facility that dictates whether or not we will step into action in charge of mitigating the risk of a further outbreak,” Lalich said.

She urged businesses to develop policies within their organization.

“It’s really about that communication conversation with your employees,” Lalich said. “Public health is willing and able and has supported you with those conversations.”

Generally speaking, the symptoms of omicron and other COVID viruses are similar, she said. “What we’re learning about omicron is that it has an impact on the upper respiratory tract more than the lower respiratory tract.”

Of specimens sent to surveillance labs, 100% are omicron she said. “We know is it the the primary strain in Oregon,” she said.

When should an employee stay home from work?

“If you’re sick, stay home,” Lalich advised. If an employee is fully vaccinated and symptom-free for five days, they may return to work on the sixth day.

“We still want to be monitoring for symptoms,” Lalich said. “We’re seeing breakthrough cases.”

People who are not vaccinated, have no symptoms and have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 are advised to quarantine. Close contact means 15 minutes or more within 6 feet with or without a mask or face covering.

If there are no symptoms, quarantine for at least five days and carefully return to normal activity. If symptoms develop, remain isolated and consult a doctor or clinic right away.

County testing supplies remain in short supply, distributed to the highest risk populations in hospitals, long-term care, jails and the workers in those populations.

Whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, a negative COVID test before returning to work is not a requirement, nor is it recommended for employees to have a negative test before returning to work, except in the case of health care.

“That’s a very, very, very important piece of information,” Lalich said. “We have employees who call and say their employees want them to get tested and to have a negative test result. Well, it may be that you tested positive and are going to test positive for the next 90 days and not be infectious.”

Everybody should be masked at all times. She said she expected the masking mandate in the general population will remain in effect at least in the general population through June. In certain health care settings, masks will be “part of what we do.”

Vaccinations prevent more severe symptoms and additional risks of hospitalization and death, she said, and are available for anyone who is interested or needs to get a booster.

Up-to-date used to mean a completed series of two vaccines within the last five months.

Businesses will be able to present group events or presentations, with caveats, she said. “Say you wanted to do 100 people. Cut that back just a little bit to allow a little bit more spaciousness.”

Circulation is important too, with air filters in the room.

Mask up, and assume that everyone is infected all the time, Lalich said.

“The good news — I think it’s good news — is we’re giving agency back to individuals within the community,” Lalich said. “And that’s the thing — they’ve been wanting the freedom to make more choices instead of continually being told what they have to do.”

Drive-thru booster vaccines are given Wednesdays from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at Camp Rilea. Appointments are required; sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4cafaf2aa4fece9-pfizer1.

Public Health, in partnership with Columbia Memorial Hospital and Providence Seaside Hospital, is offering drive-thru COVID-19 testing at Camp Rilea, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Appointments are required. Call 503-325-8500 to schedule an appointment.

The Public Information Call Center has been operational since the beginning of the pandemic; 503-325-8500. 

The Seaside Chamber of Commerce serves as a distribution center for the county for personal protective equipment; 503-738-6391.

Orders placed by Monday at 3 p.m., can be picked up by 11 a.m. Wednesday.