MEDFORD, Oregon – Although Jackson County’s ability to administer coronavirus vaccines continues to grow, public health officials are sounding the alarm over the growing number of COVID-19 cases, to an unprecedented extent for several months.
Jackson County Public Health reported 93 new cases Wednesday, the highest daily number since Jan. 28. The latest report brings Jackson County to the last 10,000 cases since the pandemic began more than a year ago.
“The increase in cases is incredibly alarming,” said Dr. Jim Shames, Jackson County Health Officer. “We are in a race between people who get vaccinated and the rapid spread of COVID-19 variants.”
Shames pointed out that mutations occur as viruses reproduce, creating new variants. Some of them – such as the “British version”, B.1.1.7 – are believed to spread even faster than the original SARS CoV-2 strain.
“All currently authorized vaccines offer a good level of protection against SARS CoV-2, including variant B.1.1.7. No vaccine provides 100% protection, but current vaccines are extremely effective in preventing people from getting sick and becoming serious. We can help people stop the spread of COVID-19 by vaccinated people as soon as possible with the available vaccine, “Shames said. .
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Jackson County’s Expo vaccination site has expanded its dose delivery capacity, in particular by adding a FEMA-supported community vaccination clinic that opened this week. The original public health site continues to operate as a clinic offering the Moderna vaccine, while the FEMA clinic operates as a site providing the Pfizer vaccine.
“We encourage people to get vaccinated as soon as they can. Now that everyone 16 years of age and older is eligible for the vaccine, this means that our community can enjoy greater protection against COVID-19, slow down the spread of this virus, and return to some of the activities we have longed to do. we enjoy them, ”said Tanya Phillips, Jackson County Public Health Manager.
Phillips stressed that the Expo website has “a lot of availability” for vaccinations. While appointments are encouraged, the Modern Clinic does not require them. The clinic is open until 6 pm, Monday to Friday, with the last time interval at 5:45 pm
The Pfizer vaccine, offered at the access site, is approved for people between the ages of 16 and 17. For now, the Moderna vaccine is approved for people over the age of 18. Both sites are available, Jackson County Public Health said.
In addition to the increase in the number of cases, Jackson County reported two more deaths attributed to COVID-19 on Wednesday. A 42-year-old man tested positive on March 25 and died on April 18 at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center. A 67-year-old man tested positive on March 29 and also died on April 18 in Asante.
The most recent two deaths bring Jackson County’s death toll from COVID-19 to 129. Both men had underlying health conditions.
Officials said they are also investigating a pair of COVID-19 outbreaks at work. An investigation at the Murphy Softwood Veneer Plant, which began on April 13, produced nine related cases, while a separate investigation at Goodwill, which began on April 15, found six cases. Both investigations are ongoing.