PORTLAND, Ore — Oregon health officials on Saturday night announced a pending test for COVID-19 came back negative and that person is not infected with novel coronavirus.
This test was separate and unrelated to the Lake Oswego elementary school employee who tested positive on Friday and is the subject of Oregon’s first presumed case of coronavirus. The Oregon Health Authority is still awaiting the results of a confirmation test from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Until federal tests confirm the person has the virus, they are considered presumed to have to the virus.
There are now seven pending test results for people under investigation for coronavirus, OHA said. More people are likely to be tested moving forward now that the CDC guidance is less restrictive, OHA said. The CDC now recommends testing of anyone experiencing severe respiratory symptoms.
People under investigation have experienced symptoms of coronavirus, which include coughing, shortness of breath and a fever, and are known to have one of the following primary risk factors:
- Travel from a country where COVID-19 is circulating.
- Close contact with a confirmed case.
- People with severe respiratory illness who are hospitalized and have no other known diagnosis.
Eighty-eight people are currently being monitored by state health officials. People who are being monitored have had the same exposures but are not symptomatic, according to the OHA.
Health officials continue to recommend people take the following precautions to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, including coronavirus.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash.
- 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 close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces that are often touched.
- Take care of your health overall. Staying current on your vaccinations, including flu vaccine, eating well and exercising all help your body stay resilient.
- Consult CDC’s travel website for any travel advisories and steps to protect yourself if you plan to travel outside of the US.