COVID-19 cases continue to decrease in the county and across the state. Resources are available to access home testing on your own, report positive results and learn how to navigate isolation and quarantine guidelines. Visit https://tillamookchc.org/covid-19-testing/ for details.
Along with the updated news of lifting mask restrictions in most indoor public places and K-12 schools on March 12th (view announcement https://www.oregon.gov/newsroom/Pages/NewsDetail.aspx?newsid=64916), also on March 12th, contact tracing and quarantine will be paused for the general population in Oregon, including in K-12 and early learning settings. These measures will still be recommended in high-risk settings, including health care settings, jails and prisons, and shelters. Read on for details: https://covidblog.oregon.gov/oregon-to-pause-quarantining-march-12-as-cases-and-hospitalizations-drop/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Please note, with the lifting of some restrictions and shifting of COVID-19 response across the state, this will be the last weekly update email and news post. those interested will be redirected to listen to the community update call (either live or to the recording from https://www.co.tillamook.or.us/meetings or https://www.podcasts.com/tillamook-today-on-ktil-386b4ddb6and) and access the data which is updated weekly on Tillamookchc.org under “COVID-19 Case Tracking.”
COVID-19 Case Information:
Tillamook County COVID-19 case count update provided below:
- Weekend Case Count (Feb. 25 to Feb. 27, 2022): 10
- 7-day case count (Feb. 20 to Feb. 26, 2022): 32
- 14-day case count (Feb. 13 to Feb. 26, 2022): 98
- Month to date (Feb. 1 to Feb. 28, 2022): 335
- 7-day test positivity rate (OHA): (Feb. 20 to Feb. 26, 2022): 7.9%
In total since March 2020, 3,582 COVID-19 cases have been tracked in Tillamook County, 138 hospitalizations and 58 COVID-19 related deaths.
Oregon Health Authority Breakthrough Case Report shows that during the week of February 20 – February 26, 2022, statewide, 52.8% were unvaccinated, 47.1% were vaccine breakthrough cases, and 0.1% had an unknown vaccination status. Of all vaccine breakthrough cases, 1,119 (42.5%) were fully vaccinated and boosted. The median age of all vaccine breakthrough cases was 54 years. There were 22 (0.8%) breakthrough cases among residents of care facilities, senior living communities or other congregate living settings. There were 651 (24.7%) cases in persons 65 or older. There were 110 (4.2%) cases aged 12-17.
View more on case tracking in Tillamook County here: https://tillamookchc.org/coronavirus/covid19-case-tracking/
Along with the updated news of lifting masks restrictions in most indoor public places and K-12 schools on March 12th, also on March 12th, contact tracing and quarantine will be paused for the general population in Oregon, including in K-12 and early learning settings. These measures will still be recommended in high-risk settings, including health care settings, jails and prisons, and shelters. Read on for details.
People who who are at higher risk include those: unvaccinated; immunocompromised; have underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of complications; are 65 or older; or who live with someone in one of those categories.
COVID-19 Variant News:
As of Saturday February 26, 2022, Oregon Health Authority Oregon COVID-19 Variant Count shows 18,953 Delta variant cases and 6,755 Omicron variant cases have been tracked in Oregon and 4,974 Delta and 645 Omicron in Region 1 (Clackamas, Clatsop, Multnomah, Tillamook, and Washington counties).
OHA is committed to updating on all variants of concern and the variant tracking data is available on OHA’s COVID-19 page. Link to data here.
This information is available in the recent Oregon Vaccine News update on OHA’s website
Testing and Treatment:
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 8am – 12pm, appointments are required, please call 503-842-3900.
A small amount of the iHealth COVID-19 quick antigen home test kits remain available for pick-up in the community. Thanks to a partnership with Tillamook County Library, COVID-19 home test kits are available for pick-up in all Tillamook County library branches. See flyer, here.
Looking for more at-home test kits? Up to four, free COVID-19 home tests kits are available to each household in the U.S., delivered to your residence by using the federal site: https://www.covidtests.gov/.
With an increase in people who are testing positive, OHA has updated the process for investigating cases to be an “opt-in model” where people who test positive can report their results to OHA and access additional resources for support with their isolation or quarantine using the new OHA Positive COVID Test website (Oregon.gov/positivecovidtest/) or COVID-19 Case Support Hotline: 866-917-8881.
If you do have a positive COVID-19 test result and have mild to moderate symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath or cough, please contact your healthcare provider right away, and especially if you have chronic medical conditions that may place you at higher risk of severe disease response. There are safe and early treatment options available for COVID-19 including anti-viral oral medication. Some treatment options need to be started as early as 5 days from the date of the positive test. If you do not have a healthcare provider, call Adventist Health Tillamook pharmacy at 503-815-2341 or consider establishing care with a local healthcare provider. If you would like to make an appointment at Tillamook County Community Health Center, call: 503-842-3900. To learn more about your treatment options, see OHA’s blog post, here and learn more about COVID-19 testing and care: https://tillamookchc.org/covid-19-testing/
COVID-19 Vaccine Update:
VACCINATIONS: As of March 3, 2022, 17,191 people ages 18 years and older have received at least one dose of any COVID-19 vaccine out of the 21,375 in Tillamook County’s population (80.4%, up 0.1% from the previous week).
Of those aged 18 years and older living in Tillamook County:
- 80.4% have initiated COVID-19 vaccination and have received at least one dose.
- 74.3% have completed their primary series.
- 44.5% have received an extra dose of any COVID-19 vaccine in addition to completing their primary series.
COVID-19 vaccines 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.
Protect yourself and your family with a Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 (1st, 2nd or booster dose) vaccine, flu, and pneumonia shot.
Starting March 2022, the walk-in vaccine clinic at the fairground will be closed. Vaccines are available at Tillamook County Community Health Center, Adventist Health, The Rinehart Clinic, and local pharmacies by appointment.
Visit our website https://tillamookchc.org/coronavirus/vaccines/ to learn more on where you can get a COVID-19 vaccine at no cost in Tillamook County.
Making a plan to get vaccinated as soon as possible is the best way to protect against COVID-19, flu, and pneumonia.
- Boosters recommend for all 18 years old and older:
- 5 months after completion of the Moderna series.
- 2 month after completion of the single shot Johnson & Johnson.
- Boosters are now recommend for all 12 years old and older:
- 5 months after completion of the Pfizer series.
Individuals eligible for a booster may receive either the same or a different COVID-19 vaccine as a booster dose, depending on advice from a health care provider, individual preference, availability or convenience.
Please note, Johnson and Johnson is no longer available.
- Pfizer for Youths 5-11 y.o:
- Pediatric COVID-19 doses are available from healthcare offices and pharmacies. Parent/guardian authorization is needed for all youths 5 – 14 years old.
- 3rd Dose of mRNA Vaccines:
- A third dose of Pfizer is authorized for people 5 and older and 3rd dose Moderna is authorized for people 18 and older who are immunocompromised and may not have built up adequate protective immunity with their first series of mRNA (Pfizer or Moderna) vaccines. Individuals who meet the criteria listed by the CDC as having moderately to severely compromised immune systems are recommended to get a 3rd dose if they receive their 2nd dose of Moderna or Pfizer at least 28 days ago.
- A 3rd dose is only able to be administered for who it has been authorized for and is not considered a booster. A list of qualifying conditions from the CDC is available on our website.
- If you receive a 3rd dose, you are now recommended to then receive a “booster” three months after your 3rd dose of Pfizer of Moderna.
- A third dose of Pfizer is authorized for people 5 and older and 3rd dose Moderna is authorized for people 18 and older who are immunocompromised and may not have built up adequate protective immunity with their first series of mRNA (Pfizer or Moderna) vaccines. Individuals who meet the criteria listed by the CDC as having moderately to severely compromised immune systems are recommended to get a 3rd dose if they receive their 2nd dose of Moderna or Pfizer at least 28 days ago.
COVID-19 Safety Precautions:
One of the most important actions you can take to reduce spread and protect against hospitalizations and death from COVID-19 is to choose to be fully vaccinated, and if able to, have also received a booster shot. In the addition, Tillamook County Public health recommends these safety precautions:
Limit exposure:
- Keep gatherings small, it is recommended to only gather in-person with people in your household. Try a virtual option to add in others.
- If you do choose to gather, with the news of the predicted upcoming surge, be extra mindful of your choices. Consider avoiding contact with others outside of your household 5-7 days prior to your gathering.
- Using COVID-19 home tests before travel or gatherings is recommended by the CDC. To learn more about COVID-19 home tests and what to consider if you choose to use them as part of your gathering or travel preparations see this CDC informational page.
- Avoid sharing utensils, plates, glasses.
- Wash hand frequently and wear a mask indoors when around people outside of your household and maintain 6ft of distance.
- Having a gathering outside is a safer option, though not always feasible on the coast, make sure to increase ventilation if indoors.
- If you are feeling ill, do not attend a gathering.
Travel:
- Traveling by car with members of your household is the safest method of travel. If traveling by air or public transit, remember to always wear a properly fitting mask and avoid eating or drinking, especially in crowded situations, so you don’t have to remove your mask.
Vaccinate:
- If you are not yet vaccinated, choose to make a plan for everyone 5 years and older in your household to be vaccinated as soon as possible. If you are fully vaccinated, choose to receive a booster as soon as you are able to.
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
