Jackson County Public Health reports 49 new COVID-19 cases as of 12:01 am on January 26, 2021. Additionally, four previously reported cases have been removed from the total COVID-19 cases. These updates bring the total COVID-19 cases to 7,237.
COVID-19 Deaths
Jackson County Public Health reports two new COVID-19 deaths, bringing the total to 98 since the beginning of the pandemic.
Jackson County's 97th COVID-19 death is a 91-year-old man who tested positive on December 27 and died on January 17 at his residence. He had underlying health conditions.
Jackson County's 98th COVID-19 death is a 64-year-old man who tested positive on January 10 and died on January 24 at Providence Medford Medical Center. The patient had underlying health conditions.
COVID-19 Hospitalizations
The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Region 5 (Jackson and Josephine Counties) is 35, decreasing by 8 from the previous day. There are 12 patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), reducing by 2 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.
More information can be found on the OHA COVID-19 Data Dashboard.
For additional information, visit the Jackson County COVID-19 Data Dashboard at Situation in Jackson County, Oregon webpage. The Oregon Health Authority’s COVID-19 Data Dashboard website does publish Jackson County COVID-19 data.
COVID-19 Vaccine Updates
Vaccination gives us hope that the pandemic will end. Still, in the meantime, we need to continue safety measures to keep the virus from spreading: Wear a mask, physically distance from others, wash your hands, avoid gatherings and stay home when you're sick.
Oregon will open vaccines to all seniors over a four-week period starting with:
- Group 2: people 80 and older are eligible the week of February 7, 2021
- Group 3: people 75 and older are eligible the week of February 14, 2021
- Group 4: people 70 and older are eligible the week of February 21, 2021
- Group 5: people 65 and older are eligible the week of February 28, 2021
These timelines are based on how many vaccines will be available. Oregon's vaccine supply is limited, and it is estimated to take 12-15 weeks to vaccinate groups 1-5 of Phase 1B.
"We at Jackson County Public Health understand the barriers that exist for many seniors to getting vaccinated for COVID-19: lack of transportation, unable to stand for long periods, the added risks of being out in public," says Dr. Jim Shames, Jackson County Health Officer. "We are doing all we can, in cooperation with the Oregon Health Authority and many community partners, to create vaccine distribution strategies that will accommodate individual needs. We want to thank you for your patience and be assured; you are not going to be left out of this important process."
At this time, COVID-19 providers are not scheduling appointments for those in Groups 2-5 in Phase 1B. Please check Jackson County the Jackson County Health and Human Services COVID-19 Vaccine website to see when you are eligible and where you can access the vaccine when it is your turn.
Phase 1B, Group 1 (early childhood educators and staff, childcare providers and staff, public and private K-12 educators and staff) are now eligible to be vaccinated statewide. Jackson County offered the vaccine early for Phase 1B, Group 1, at the vaccination event held at the Jackson County Expo. For those who are eligible in Phase 1B Group 1 and were not vaccinated for their first dose at the Expo, they can reach out to one of the providers listed on the Jackson County Health and Human Services COVID-19 Vaccine website. Other COVID-19 providers are working directly with some organizations that employ or contract with people in Phase 1B, Group 1 to assist with vaccination.
For more information:
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