MEDFORD, Oregon. While Jackson County’s ability to administer coronavirus vaccines continues to grow, public health officials are sounding the alarm about a growing spike 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 puts Jackson County in more than 10,000 cases since the pandemic began more than a year ago.
“The increase in the number of cases is incredibly concerning,” said Dr. Jim Shames, Jackson County health officer. “We are in a race between people being vaccinated and the rapid spread of COVID-19 variants.”
Shame underlined that mutations occur when viruses multiply, creating the new variants. Some of them – such as the “British variant” B.1.1.7 – are believed to spread even faster than the original strain of SARS CoV-2.
“All currently approved vaccines provide a good level of protection against SARS CoV-2, including variant B.1.1.7. No vaccine offers 100 percent protection, but current vaccines are very effective in preventing people from getting the disease and become seriously ill. We can help stop the spread of COVID-19 by people getting vaccinated with the available vaccine as soon as possible, “Shames said.
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The Jackson County Public Health vaccination site at the Expo has expanded its ability to deliver doses, especially with the addition of a FEMA-backed community vaccination clinic opening this week. The original public health site continues to function as a walk-through clinic offering the Moderna vaccine, while the FEMA clinic functions as a drive-through site for the Pfizer vaccine.
“We encourage people to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Now that everyone 16 and older is eligible for the vaccine, it means that our community can be better protected against COVID-19, slow the spread of this virus and back to some of the activities we craved, ”said Tanya Phillips, health promotion manager at Jackson County Public Health.
Phillips stressed that the Expo site has “adequate availability” for vaccinations. Although appointments are encouraged, the Moderna walk-through clinic does not need them. The clinic is open Monday through Friday until 6:00 PM, with the last timeslot at 5:45 PM
The Pfizer vaccine, offered at the drive-through site, is approved for people 16 and 17 years old. For now, the Moderna vaccine has been approved for people 18 and older. Both sites are available, Jackson County Public Health said.
In addition to the spike in cases, Jackson County reported two more deaths from COVID-19 on Wednesday. A 42-year-old man tested positive on March 25 and died at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center on April 18. A 67-year-old man tested positive on March 29 and also died in Asante on April 18.
The last two fatalities bring the Jackson County death toll from COVID-19 to 129. Both men had underlying health problems.
Officials said they are also investigating a few COVID-19 outbreaks in the workplace. An investigation at the Murphy Softwood Veneer Plant that began on April 13 found nine linked cases, while a separate investigation at Goodwill that began on April 15 found six cases. Both investigations are ongoing.