MEDFORD, Ore. Although Jackson County’s ability to administer coronavirus vaccines continues to grow, public health officials are sounding the alarm about a growing increase in COVID-19 cases to an extent not seen in months.
Jackson County Public Health reported 93 new cases on Wednesday, the highest daily total since Jan. 28. The latest report brings Jackson County over 10,000 cases since the pandemic began more than a year ago.
“The increase in cases is incredibly worrying,” said Jackson County Health Officer Jim Jim Shames. “We are in a race between people being vaccinated and the rapid spread of COVID-19 variants.”
Shames emphasized that mutations occur when viruses recur, creating the new variants. Some of them – such as the “British variant”, B.1.1.7, apparently spread even faster than the original strain of SARS CoV-2.
“All currently authorized vaccines provide good protection against SARS CoV-2, including variant B.1.1.7. No vaccine provides 100 percent protection, but current vaccines are very effective in preventing people from contracting the disease and seriously “We can help stop the spread of COVID-19 by individuals who are vaccinated as soon as possible with the available vaccine,” Shames said.
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The Jackson County Public Health vaccination site at the Expo has expanded its ability to administer doses, especially with the addition of a FEMA-supported vaccination clinic that opened this week. The original public health website still operates as a transit clinic providing the Moderna vaccine, while the FEMA clinic serves as a transit site providing the Pfizer vaccine.
“We encourage people to be vaccinated as soon as possible. Now that everyone aged 16 and over is eligible to receive the vaccine, it means our community can have greater protection against COVID-19, the spread of this virus can slow down, and return to some of the activities we longed for, ”said Tanya Phillips, Jackson County Public Health Health Promotion Manager.
Phillips stressed that the Expo website is “very available” for vaccinations. Although appointments are encouraged, it is not necessary to go through the Moderna clinic. The clinic is open until 18:00, Monday to Friday, with the last time slot at 17:45
The Pfizer vaccine, offered at the driveway site, is approved for people aged 16 and 17. The Moderna vaccine is tentatively approved for people 18 and older. Both sites are available, Jackson County Public Health said.
In addition to the increase in cases, Jackson County on Wednesday reported two more deaths attributed to COVID-19. 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 two most recent deaths brought Jackson County deaths from COVID-19 to 129. Both men had underlying health conditions.
Officials said they are also investigating some COVID-19 outbreaks in the workplace. An investigation at the Murphy Softwood Veneer plant that began on April 13 yielded nine linked cases, while six cases were found in a separate investigation at Goodwill, which began on April 15. Both investigations continue.