COVID-19 deaths falling locally, statewide

Vickie Aldous, Mail Tribune, Medford, Ore.
·3 min read

Sep. 15—The Rogue Valley and Oregon as a whole are mirroring a global trend of falling COVID-19-related deaths.

The World Health Organization said this week that global COVID-19-related deaths dropped to their lowest level since March 2020 — the early days of the pandemic when the virus wasn't yet in wide circulation.

Oregon Health Authority reported no Jackson or Josephine county residents died of COVID-19-related causes during the weeklong reporting window that ended Wednesday.

OHA reported three COVID-19-related deaths statewide during that time.

With cases dropping, OHA recently moved to updating data weekly on Wednesdays.

For the week, OHA reported 186 new COVID-19 cases in Jackson County, for an average of 26.6 new cases daily. Cases have been trending on a relatively flat line recently.

Cases are trending slightly up in Josephine County. OHA reported 125 new cases for the week, for a daily average of 17.9 new cases.

Statewide, cases are relatively flat lately, with OHA reporting 4,007 new cases, for a daily average of 572 cases.

As of Wednesday, hospitals in Jackson and Josephine counties were caring for 35 patients with the virus.

Hospitals across Oregon had 253 patients with the virus.

New COVID-19 booster shots that cover the original virus plus two widely circulating omicron variants of the virus began arriving in Jackson County earlier this month.

The updated booster shots are for people 12 and older. In general, they should be received at least two months after finishing your last COVID-19 shot that didn't include omicron variant coverage, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The updated booster shots contain a lower dose and are not meant to be used in people who've never had a COVID-19 vaccine before.

Free COVID-19 vaccinations, including the updated boosters, are available at a mass vaccination clinic at The Merrick, formerly Inn at the Commons, 200 N. Riverside Ave., Medford. Hours are noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Jackson County Public Health is scheduling appointments for free updated boosters and other COVID-19 shots. Call 541-774-8209.

Jackson County Public Health is located in the county's Health and Human Services Building, 140 S. Holly St., Medford. Hours are 8-11:45 a.m. and 1-4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday.

As the updated COVID-19 boosters keep arriving in Jackson County, not all providers will begin providing the shots immediately.

For other ways to get vaccinated, Jackson County Public Health recommends:

* Reach out to your doctor's office, child's pediatrician or pharmacy to see what vaccines they have.

* Text ORCOVID to 898211 (English and Spanish) or email ORCOVID@211info.org. Language help is available.

* Use the Get Vaccinated Oregon website at getvaccinated.oregon.gov.

* Call 211 or 1-866-698-6155 toll-free from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, including holidays.

* Visit the "Where to Get Vaccinated in Jackson County" website at jacksoncountyor.org/hhs/COVID-19/COVID-19-News/where-to-get-vaccinated-in-jackson-county.

Reach Mail Tribune reporter Vickie Aldous at 541-776-4486 or valdous@rosebudmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @VickieAldous.