Today, March 8, 2021, marks one year since the first COVID-19 cases were identified in Jackson County. During this year, Jackson County has reported 8,604 COVID19 cases and 118 COVID-19 related deaths.
There has been a total of 326 COVID-19 outbreaks in Jackson County since the start of the pandemic involving 2,200 cases (26% of all Jackson County cases). Overall, 95 outbreaks (29%) occurred in congregate living facilities/settings, 95 (29%) in workplaces, 98 (30%) in K-12 schools, 22 (7%) in daycares, 13 (4%) tied to social or religious gatherings, and 3 (1%) are associated with other settings. Per the Oregon Health Authority’s definitions for outbreaks, school outbreaks are defined as one case. K-12 schools have averaged 2.2 cases per outbreak overall. There were 52 “true” K-12 outbreaks involving more than one case; the average number of cases per outbreak for these was 3.4. Daycares and learning pods have averaged 2.8 cases per outbreak. Workplaces have averaged 8.7 cases per outbreak. Religious and private gatherings have averaged 9.3 cases per outbreak. Congregate living facilities have averaged 9.6 cases per outbreak. There have been four outbreaks that have involved over 100 people, three of which were in long term care facilities.
COVID-19 is disproportionately impacting people of color in Jackson County. People who identify as Hispanic or Latino represent 26% of the total COVID-19 cases in Jackson County (compared to 13% of the total population). People who identify as American Indian/Alaska Native, Black, and Pacific Islander also have case rates significantly higher than the overall Jackson County population.
COVID-19 cases in Jackson County are distributed across all age groups, with those aged 20-29 comprising the largest 10-year age group at 20% of all cases. This group also has the highest rate of disease per 100,000 population. Older age groups are disproportionately impacted by severe disease from COVID-19, with higher rates of hospitalization and death.
COVID-19 Case Data
Jackson County Public Health reports 23 new COVID-19 cases as of 12:01 am on March 8, 2021. Additionally, a previously reported case has been removed from the overall COVID-19 case total. These updates bring the total COVID-19 cases to 8,604.
Two Week Case Data
For weeks 8 & 9 (2/21/21 –3/6/2021), there were a total of 474 new COVID-19 cases. This is a case rate of 214.2 cases per 100,000 population.
Jackson County Public Health understands that people are ready to resume life as it was before the pandemic. Even though the vaccine provides us hope that society will operate as it did before the pandemic, we must continue using all the tools available to help stop this pandemic as we learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines work in real-world conditions. Letting our guard down against preventing the spread of COVID-19 will increase the risk of COVID-19 spreading in Jackson County, which will put Jackson County at a higher risk level and jeopardize people's health.
To protect yourself and others, follow these recommendations:
- Wear a mask over your nose and mouth
- Stay at least 6 feet away from others
- Avoid crowds
- Avoid poorly ventilated spaces
- Wash your hands often
- Get the COVID-19 vaccine when it is your turn
Together, COVID-19 vaccination and following CDC’s recommendations for how to protect yourself and others will offer the best protection from getting and spreading COVID-19. Key things to know about the COVID-19 vaccine https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/keythingstoknow.html
COVID-19 Hospitalizations
The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Region 5 (Jackson and Josephine Counties) is 16, increased by 1 from the previous day. There are 5 patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), no change from the previous day.
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 Vaccine Updates
People 65 and older are currently eligible to receive the vaccine. Jackson County has not moved onto Phase 1B, Groups 6 and 7. Individuals 65 and older are still the priority population, as well as individuals in Phase 1A. The vaccine supply remains limited, but Jackson County Public Health expects the supply to increase within the coming weeks.
Resources on vaccine eligibility and where to access the vaccine:
- Jackson County Health and Human Services COVID-19 Vaccine website: https://jacksoncountyor.org/hhs/General/News-Information/covid-19-vaccine-1
- This website will provide information on where people can access the vaccine, how to make an appointment, and list additional resources if people need assistance with scheduling appointments.
- To schedule an appointment at the Community COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic, call 541-789-2813 and press option 2 and option 3 for Spanish. Due to the high demand, there may be longer than expected wait times on the phone to schedule an appointment. We are working on an online scheduling platform.
- 211 Information is also available to answer questions about vaccine eligibility and access.
- Text ORCOVID to 898211 to get text/SMS updates (English and Spanish only)
- Email ORCOVID@211info.org (All languages)
- Call 211 or 1-866-698-6155 from 6 am – 7 pm daily, including holidays
- Register on the Get Vaccinated Oregon tool and check for county-specific information.
Beginning the week of March 8, 2021, Jackson County Public Health will no longer issue daily COVID-19 press releases. Instead, Jackson County Public Health will move to a weekly press release and issue additional press releases as needed to cover new COVID-19 related deaths or other important information about COVID-19 and the vaccine.
For daily case data information: visit the COVID-19 Data Dashboard at Situation in Jackson County, Oregon webpage. The Oregon Health Authority continues to issue daily emails that provide county COVID-19 case counts. You can sign up to receive these emails by visiting the Oregon Health Authority’s Signup for Coronavirus Updates website.
Information on hospitalizations and other COVID-19 can also be found on the OHA COVID-19 Data Dashboard.
For more information:
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