Health officials at the Oregon Health Authority have lifted the requirement for outdoor mask-wearing in crowded settings, effective immediately. The rule was implemented in August at the onset of Oregon’s most recent surge. Health officials noted that the outdoor mask rule was among the actions the state took to combat Oregon’s most recent and deadly COVID-19 surge, which has been fueled by the spread of the Delta variant, largely among unvaccinated Oregonians. The outdoor mask rule, a rule that requires people to wear masks indoors in public settings, and a slow but steady rise in vaccination rates have helped reduce transmission rates.
Health officials lifted the outdoor masks requirement in light of the overall progress Oregon has made to curb new infections and stabilize hospitalizations.
COVID-19 infection is transmitted predominately by inhalation of respiratory droplets generated when people cough, sneeze, sing, talk, or breathe. Masks are primarily intended to limit the spread of respiratory droplets that come from the person wearing the masks, which reduces exposure to other people. This is especially relevant for asymptomatic or presymptomatic infected wearers who feel well and may be unaware of their infectiousness to others. Masks also help reduce inhalation of these droplets by the wearer. The community benefit of masking for COVID-19 control is due to the combination of these effects; individual prevention benefit increases with increasing numbers of people using masks consistently and correctly.1
For additional information on masking requirements, visit Oregon Mask Requirements.
COVID-19 Vaccination
Currently, everyone ages 5 and older are now eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Anyone 18 and older can get a COVID-19booster shot. It is highly recommended that people 50 years and older and people 18 years and older who live in a long-term care setting get a booster shot. For everyone 18 and older that received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, it is recommended that all get a booster shot at least 2 months after their first shot.
Booster shots are not available 5-17 years of age; this includes pediatric COVID-19 vaccines.
Daily Number of New COVID-19 Cases
As of 12:01 a.m. on November 26, 2021, Jackson County Public Health is reporting 27 new cases of COVID-19. As of 12:01 am on November 25, 2021, there were 45 new cases of COVID-19. This brings the total cases in Jackson County to 24,747.
COVID-19 Hospitalizations for Region 5 (Jackson and Josephine Counties)
As of 9:00 a.m. on November 26, 2021, the number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 is 41, and there are 11 patients with COVID-19 in the intensive care unit.
The total number of patients in hospital beds may fluctuate between report times. The numbers do not reflect admissions per day nor the length of hospital stay. Staffing limitations are not captured in this data and may further limit bed capacity.
COVID-19 Related Deaths
Jackson County Public Health reports 6 new COVID-19 deaths, bringing the total to 355 since the beginning of the pandemic.
Jackson County’s 350th COVID-19 death is a 74-year-old man who died on September 10 at Sky Lakes Medical Center. The death certificate listed COVID-19 disease or SARS-CoV-2 as a cause of death or a significant condition contributing to death. Underlying health conditions are unknown.
Jackson County’s 351st COVID-19 death is a 91-year-old man who died on October 19 at their residence. The death certificate listed COVID-19 disease or SARS-CoV-2 as a cause of death or a significant condition contributing to death. They had underlying health conditions.
Jackson County’s 352nd COVID-19 death is an 85-year-old man who tested positive on November 6 and died on November 21 at Providence Medford Medical Center. They had underlying health conditions.
Jackson County’s 353rd COVID-19 death is a 72-year-old woman who tested positive on November 9 and died on November 24 at Providence Medford Medical Center. They had underlying health conditions.
Jackson County’s 354th COVID-19 death is a 75-year-old woman who tested positive on November 15 and died on November 21 at Providence Medford Medical Center. They had underlying health conditions.
Jackson County’s 355th COVID-19 death is an 85-year-old man who tested positive on November 21 and died on November 23 at Rogue Regional Medical Center. They had underlying health conditions.
For more information:
References
Science Brief: Community Use of Cloth Masks to Control the Spread of SARS-CoV-2. CDC website https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/masking-sciencesars-cov2.html. Updated May 7, 2021. Accessed November 23, 2021.