[Medford, Oregon] — May 16, 2020, Jackson County Public Health has no new COVID-19 cases to report. The total case count remains at 50 in Jackson County. At this time, there are no fatalities from COVID-19 reported in Jackson County. To access additional data on the total COVID-19 cases, visit the Situation in Jackson County, Oregon webpage.
As people begin accessing businesses in Jackson County and staying home less, it is important to understand that the virus has not been eliminated, and there is no vaccine available to prevent people from getting this infection. Therefore, there is still a risk for people to become ill with COVID-19 and pass the illness on to others. Jackson County Public Health expects to see an increase in COVID-19 cases as people begin to move around more.
While people begin to stay home less, there are still preventative actions that everyone should be taking. These actions need to be taken by everyone, including young and healthy people, in order to protect the health, wellness, and safety of themselves, family, friends, workers at the businesses they are visiting, and others who are more likely to have severe complications from COVID-19 (people 65 years and older, people in long-term care facilities and congregate settings and all people who have underlying medical conditions). These actions will help to slow the spread of the virus and help keep the community open.
Using a face covering, such as a cloth or paper mask, while out in public settings, especially in settings that are indoors where it may be difficult to ensure that you can stay 6 ft. away from others at all times, is highly recommended by Jackson County Public Health.
Face coverings prevent the person wearing the mask from spreading respiratory droplets when talking, sneezing, or coughing. If everyone wears a face covering when out in public, such as going to the grocery store, the risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) can be reduced for the community. Since people can spread the virus before symptoms start, or even if people never have symptoms, wearing a cloth face covering can protect others around you. Face coverings worn by others protect you from getting the virus from people carrying the virus.
Everyone will still need to practice physical distancing by maintaining 6 ft. between individuals outside of your household as much as possible and continue to follow good hygiene and disinfection practices.
It will still be important that everyone stay close to home, avoiding overnight trips and minimize other non-essential travel, including recreational day trips to destinations outside the community where you live. Not all counties in Oregon will be reopening, and not all states are reopening; it is important that you are aware of the reopening status and restrictions in other locations outside of Jackson County. For people who are at risk of developing severe complications from COVID-19, it is best that you continue to stay home as much as possible, even if you feel well.
The availability of testing has increased in Jackson County; therefore, if you develop mild symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell), you should contact your medical provider. Your medical provider can make a referral for you to get tested at the appropriate location. You can also contact one of the medical clinics or healthcare systems that is providing testing. Current health centers or health systems providing testing in Jackson County are:
If you need medical care, including an appointment to stay up-to-date on your vaccines, it is important that you do not hesitate to access medical care, especially if it is an emergency. If you have a life-threatening emergency, please call 9-1-1 and seek medical attention immediately.
For more information
The public can call 211-information with general questions
OHA Emerging Respiratory Disease page: www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus
CDC COVID-19 page: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Jackson County Health and Human Services: http://jacksoncountyor.org/hhs/COVID-19
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