Since the beginning of August, 585 new COVID-19 cases have occurred in Tillamook County; 180 of those cases were from this past week (Aug 15 -21) with a test positivity rate of 21.6%. In total since March 2020, 1,360 COVID-19 cases have been tracked in Tillamook County, with 47 hospitalizations, several this week.
Oregon Health Authority reported 1,000 COVID-19 hospitalizations on August 24th, a pandemic high. The large surges are putting an unprecedented strain on hospitals statewide. Here in Tillamook County, we have recently experienced extreme loss with the recent report of now 7 new COVID-19 related deaths in 7 days, which raised the county’s death toll to 12.
In order to slow the spread of COVID-19 an outdoor mask mandate has been implemented in addition to the indoor mask mandate. Effective today, August 27th, masks will be required in most public outdoor settings where physical distancing is not possible regardless of vaccination status. There is no end date set for the outdoor mask requirement at this time. The outdoor mask requirement aligns with exceptions outlined in the recent statewide indoor mask requirements. For details on exemptions please see Governor Brown’s recent press release: https://www.oregon.gov/newsroom/Pages/NewsDetail.aspx?newsid=64307.
Tillamook County Public Health strongly encourages and urges the implementation of mandatory face coverings for all (including people who are fully vaccinated) in outdoor public settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained and in all indoor public settings. Choosing to wear a face covering will protect those who are not yet vaccinated and add additional protection to those who are vaccinated.
As of Saturday August 21st, 1,1331 delta variant cases had been tracked in Oregon and 345 in Region 1 (Clackamas, Clatsop, Multnomah, Tillamook, and Washington counties). County level data is not available.
View more on case tracking in Tillamook County here: https://tillamookchc.org/coronavirus/covid19-case-tracking/
Oregon Health Authority notes that nearly all of the new COVID-19 cases have been from the delta variant. The delta variant is three times more transmissible that earlier strains of the virus, both young and older individuals are getting sick and increasing disease spread. Oregon Health Authority advises to be mindful of choices: consider not gathering with others and follow COVID-19 safety precautions – wear a mask, wash hands, and keep 6ft of distance from other. Choose to get vaccinated as soon as possible. These tools remain as the most important things we can do to keep ourselves and our community safe. Choosing to wear a face covering will protect those who are not yet vaccinated and add additional protection to those who are vaccinated. If you are feeling sick with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 such as: fever, dry cough, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, aches and pains, headache, sore throat, nasal congestion, or red eyes stay home and contact your healthcare provider. COVID-19 testing is available at no cost at our acute care clinic (2111 8th St, Tillamook). Appointments are required, please call 503-824-3900.
To learn more about the Delta variant — including what defines a variant and information on breakthrough cases — visit the OHA blog: covidblog.oregon.gov/updates-on-the-delta-variant/
VACCINATIONS: To date, 15,621 Tillamook County residents have chosen to be vaccinated with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
All three COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson) are safe and effective at protecting against severe COVID-19 illness, hospitalization, and death from any of the currently identified variants of concern including delta. In Tillamook County, 65.15% of those eligible for the vaccine are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and 53.94% are fully vaccinated in the total Tillamook County community (including those not yet eligible). Oregon Health Authority reports that COVID-19 cases are lower in communities with a total vaccination rate greater than 60%. Visit our website https://tillamookchc.org/coronavirus/vaccine-scheduling/ to learn more on where you can get a COVID-19 vaccine at no cost in Tillamook County.
About Tillamook County Community Health Centers:
TCCHC has been a Federally Qualified Health Center since 1994, providing medical, dental, behavioral and public health services. www.tillamookchc.org
Follow our Facebook @TillamookCHC for daily updates.
Additional Resources:
Oregon Health Authority COVID-19 Information: http://healthoregon.org/coronavirus
CDC COVID-19 Information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
