Oregon Health Authority officials said during a Friday media briefing that Oregon remains on a troubling COVID-19 trajectory, but they are starting to see hopeful signs even though it is too soon to say how much impact face covering and gathering limitations put into place over the last few weeks are having.  OHA Executive Director Patrick Allen called the coming weeks “pivotal.”  Allen said data is showing social gatherings are still a big source of virus transmission, and state epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger said modeling is showing face coverings and gathering limitations are helping and need to continue.  Sidelinger says they are seeing actions taken at the end of June and the beginning of July starting to have an effect on transmission in the state, and if people continue with adherence to the recommendations and requirements they can continue to see a decrease.  Sidelinger said under modeling assuming Oregonians follow the state’s COVID-19 guidance, the transmission rate drops to under one, an important mark for bringing the virus under control.