UO, health department urge caution ahead of holidays

Coos county.

The university of oregon and county health officials are making a joint plea to the community to be safe ahead of thanksgiving.

The university is ramping up testing and making classes entirely remote at the end of the month, but will it be enough to stem infections?

Kezi 9 news reporter jacob roberts tells us college students are among groups actually seeing a decrease in cases.

Just ahead of the thanksgiving holiday, more confirmation that cases in college aged students are dropping.

Kay jarvis says,?the university is pleased to see the number of covid-19 cases associated with campus has dropped dramaticall?

The alert level remains high&with 33 cases tied to campus in the last seven days.

But the university says the peaks are leveling off.

Still, students getting ready to visit family and friends in the months ahead is a concern.

In preparation, classes we go entirely remote on november 30th, meaning students can stay home through winter break.

Every student living on campus will get tested this week.

And students returning after thanksgiving will get tested again.

Jacob roberts says,?while cases decline in college students, another concern is rising.

Outbreaks in the county appear to be getting wors?

Jason davis with lane county public health noted a drastic increase at longterm care facilties.

At avamere river park in eugene, 78 cases have been reported.

Cases have also been documented at football watch parties and birthday gatherings.

A halloween party was found to be the source of dozens of cases.

Another bad sign& mask usage is down 5 percent over the last week, mainly in outdoor areas.

One of the worst places?parks.

Jason davis says,?leaving it up to the ability to put on a mask when someone is jogging towards you or youe in an area that quickly becomes crowded, it not a risk we want to tak?

Davis said they are thankful for parts of the governor two week freeze, which is expected to help curb infections.

In eugene,