1,489 cases of COVID-19 have been tracked in Tillamook County to-date; 714 cases occurred in the month of August – 178 of those cases were from this past week (Aug 22 -28) with a test positivity rate of 23.9%.
We have had 12 deaths in the past 13 days, raising our death toll to 17.
Total hospitalizations are currently at 62 with 15 that occurred this week.
88% of new COVID-19 cases statewide and 100% of COVID-19 associated deaths in Tillamook County have been from those not yet vaccinated against COVID-19.
View more on case tracking in Tillamook County here: https://tillamookchc.org/coronavirus/covid19-case-tracking/
The spread of COVID in Tillamook County has reached a critical phase. From August 18, 2021, to August 30th, 2021, we have had 12 COVID deaths. That is 12 tragic deaths in 13 days. For the first 18 months of the pandemic, we had five local deaths due to COVID. In the past two weeks, we more than tripled the number of COVID deaths in Tillamook County, from five to seventeen.
In order to slow the spread of COVID-19 an outdoor mask mandate has been implemented in addition to the indoor mask mandate. Effective August 27th, 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 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 28th, 2,409 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.
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/
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) on Tuesdays and Thursdays, appointments are required, please call 503-824-3900. Drive-up COVID-19 testing at the Fairgrounds is also available on Monday, Wednesday, Fridays 9am – 3pm, no appointments required. Must have symptoms or be a close contact.
VACCINATIONS: To date, 15,992 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, 65.86% of those eligible for the vaccine are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and 54.53% 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%. Drop-in to our vaccine clinic at the Tillamook County Fairgrounds Convention Center 9am – 3pm Tuesday and Thursdays for a 1st dose, 2nd dose, or 3 dose (for those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised). All three vaccines available. 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.
CDC COVID-19 Information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
COVID-19 vaccines remain the best tool that we have to protect ourselves and others. All three COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at preventing severe illness if exposed to the virus that causes the disease COVID-19.
Drop-in to our vaccine clinic at the Tillamook County Fairgrounds Convention Center on Tuesday and Thursday from 9 am – 3pm to receive Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson. 1st dose, 2nd dose, and 3rd dose shots are available. Only those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised are recommended for a 3rd dose at this time.
Looking for COVID-19 testing? Our public health team opened up a drive-up testing site at the Fairgrounds Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9am – 3pm. Due to high testing demand we are only able to test for those who have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or those who have been in close contact with someone who tested positive. Please make sure you follow into one of the above categories before driving up. Testing for non-prioritized needs such as for school, sports, work, or surgery may be available at other locations such as your primary care provider, surgeons’ office, or pharmacy.
COVID-19 vaccines are not available during the testing clinic (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) and testing is not available during COVID-19 vaccine clinics (Tuesday and Thursdays).
If you need a test on a Tuesday or Thursday call into our acute care clinic on 8th St., 503-842-3900, for after-hours testing Adventist Health Tillamook Urgent Care is available and the Rinehart Clinic in Wheeler also has testing available. COVID-19 vaccines are available at Adventist Health Tillamook at the Plaza and Bayshore, Rinehart Clinic and local pharmacies (Fred Meyer, Safeway, and Tillamook Pharmacy).
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
