COVID-19 cases in Tillamook County continue to decrease, while deaths increase:
- 14 cases over this past weekend,
- 26 in the past 7- day reporting period – increased by 3 – total at 29 (see below)
- 55 in the past 14-day reporting period.
Under the previous risk level framework, Tillamook County would be moved out of Extreme Risk and into High Risk with 2-week case count under 60. Two-week case count for Tillamook County has not been under 60 since mid-July (52 cases reported from July 18th – July 31st).
- Due to a delay with outside hospital medical records not accessible in our disease tracking database, Tillamook County Public Health Department was now notified of two additional COVID-19 related deaths. Tillamook County COVID-19 related death toll now at 28.
- As we hopefully continue to transition out of the surge, we urge all to continue to follow COVID-19 safety precautions: wear a mask in all indoor public spaces, wear a mask in outdoor public spaces when physical distancing of 6ft is not possible, wash hands frequently, and make a plan to get vaccinated as soon as possible if eligible.
- An FDA advisory committee voted recently, to recommend boosters for Moderna and J&J this week. Now the FDA must review the recommendation, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will follow, and finally, the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup (WSSSRW) will review to determine vaccine use in Oregon, Washington, Utah and California.
- Pfizer for 5-11 y.o. will follow the same process. The FDA is expected to have a decision in early November.
Tillamook County COVID-19 Update
After this weekly report was published, Tillamook County Public Health was notified on an additional COVID-19 related death, this report has been updated.
TILLAMOOK, Ore. — During the month of October (10/1/21 – 10/14/21), 53 new cases of COVID-19 were tracked in Tillamook County; 55 over the past 14 days (9/26 – 10/09), 26 over the last 7 days (10/3 – 10/09) and 14 over this past weekend (10/8 – 10/10). Test positivity over the past week was recorded at 5.7%. In total since March 2020, 1,933 COVID-19 cases have been tracked in Tillamook County, 83 hospitalizations and 29 COVID-19 related deaths. Three new COVID-19 related death were reported along with the weekly update today, more information can be found here.
Oregon Health Authority Breakthrough Case Report shows that during the week of October 03 – October 09 statewide, 72.8% of new COVID-19 cases were unvaccinated and 27.2% were vaccine breakthrough cases. The median age of breakthrough cases was 47 years. 65 (2.6%) breakthrough cases were residents of care facilities, senior living
communities or other congregate living settings. 616 (24.7%) cases were 65 or older. There were 122 (4.9%) cases aged 12-17.
The spread of COVID-19 in Tillamook County had reached a critical phase. For the first 18 months of the pandemic, 5 local COVID-19 related deaths had occurred. In 8 weeks, the number of COVID-19 related deaths in Tillamook County had increased nearly 6x, raising the death toll from 5 to 29.
Deaths that are determined to be related to COVID-19 need to meet criteria listed in the Oregon Health Authority “COVID-19 Investigative Guidelines” available on Oregon Health Authority’s COVID-19 page under “investigative guidelines” section 7.
We grieve with the community for all of the lives lost, we wish to extend our sincerest condolences during this difficult time.
View more on case tracking in Tillamook County here: https://tillamookchc.org/coronavirus/covid19-case-tracking/
In order to slow the spread of COVID-19 an outdoor mask mandate has been implemented in addition to the indoor mask mandate. Masks are required in most public outdoor settings where physical distancing is not possible regardless of vaccination status. There is no end date set for the mask requirements at this time.
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 October 09, Oregon Health Authority Oregon COVID-19 Variant Count shows 7,704 delta variant cases have been tracked in Oregon and 1,476 in Region 1 (Clackamas, Clatsop, Multnomah, Tillamook, and Washington counties). County level data is not available.
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) Monday – Friday 1pm – 5pm, appointments are required, please call 503-824-3900. Due to decreased demand drive-up COVID-19 testing at the Fairgrounds is no longer available after today, Friday October 15, 2021.
Please know that if you test positive for COVID-19, there is safe treatment available in Tillamook County; Monoclonal antibody therapy. Monoclonal antibodies are like your body’s own antibodies as they help your immune system quickly destroy the COVID-19 virus before it harms you or causes hospitalization. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized monoclonal antibody treatment for emergency use for eligible patients. If you test positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms, talk to a healthcare provider right away. Monoclonal antibody treatment must be given as soon as possible within 10 days of getting a symptom. These treatments require a provider referral after a positive COVID-19 test. The treatment is given through a one-time IV infusion. If you do not have a healthcare provider, call our office for a phone visit at 503-842-3900 or contact Adventist Health Tillamook at 503-815-2341.
VACCINATIONS: To date, 16,823 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, 67.79% of those eligible for the vaccine (12 and older) are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and 59.43% 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%.
Protect yourself this fall with a COVID-19, flu, and pneumonia vaccine from Tillamook County Community Health Center walk-in vaccine clinic at the Tillamook County Fairgrounds Convention Center on:
Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. & Wednesdays 1 to 4 p.m. (except holidays)
Flu and pneumonia vaccines are a covered benefit for many insurance plans, including Medicare and Oregon Health Plan. COVID-19 vaccines are available at no cost. Please bring your insurance card with you. No one is turned away for inability to pay. Age limit varies per vaccine type, visit tillamookchc.org or call 503-842-3900 for more information.
Making a plan to get vaccinated as soon as possible is the best way to protect against COVID-19, flu, and pneumonia.
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.
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