The weekly COVID-19 report summary from Tillamook County Community Health Centers, October 22, 2021:
- 89 COVID-19 cases have been reported for Tillamook County in October so far.
- 16 over this past weekend, 36 in the last 7 days and 61 over the past 14 days.
- Tillamook County COVID-19 related death toll is now at 32, and test positivity has increased by 1.3% over the past week, now at 7%.
- Get everyone 12 and older vaccinated so they can start to build their immunity.
- Stay outdoors if you gather with people from another household.
- Keep six feet of distance from those not in your immediate household.
- Wear a proper face covering. A plastic costume mask is not a COVID-safe face covering.
- Remember it’s not safe to wear a costume mask over a face covering but decorating a child’s face covering might bring an added touch of fun to their costume!
- Also remember it’s not safe for children younger than two to wear a mask.
- Moderna and J&J Booster Update:
- The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) accepted the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee’s recommendation on booster for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson for the following groups:
- Moderna (same as Pfizer): for persons 65 years of age and older and persons 18 years of age and older at high risk of illness, or with frequent institutional or occupational exposure that puts them at high risk of complications of COVID-19 at least 6 months after completing the 2-dose series.
- J&J: those 18 years of age and older at least 2 months after they receive the currently recommended single dose.
- Oregon must await a final review of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson boosters by the Western states workgroup, which includes Oregon, Washington, California and Nevada. The workgroup convened on October 21st, more information should be available soon.
- The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) accepted the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee’s recommendation on booster for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson for the following groups:
- Pfizer for Youths 5-11 y.o:
- The FDA has set a tentative date of Oct 26th to review and a ruling is expected in early November. Once the FDA makes a decision, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will review and make a recommendation, and then finally, the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup (WSSSRW) will review the data and issue a recommendation for vaccine administration in Oregon, Washington, Utah, and California.
- Pfizer Booster Dose:
- A booster dose is strongly recommended for people in high-risk groups whose immunity may wane 6 months after completing their second Pfizer vaccination. People in high-risk groups include:
- People 65 and older
- People living in a long-term care facility
- People 50-64 with underlying medical conditions
- People ages 18-64 with underlying medical conditions or who are a higher risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus due to where they live or work, such as teachers, grocery workers and people who live in congregate care settings.
- A booster dose is strongly recommended for people in high-risk groups whose immunity may wane 6 months after completing their second Pfizer vaccination. People in high-risk groups include:
- 3rd Dose of mRNA Vaccines:
- A third dose is for people 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 completed a 2-dose mRNA vaccine series (Moderna or Pfizer) at least 28 days for Moderna or 21 days for Pfizer after the second dose.
- 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 not recommended to then receive a “booster” (3 dose max is currently recommended for mRNA vaccines).
- A third dose is for people 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 completed a 2-dose mRNA vaccine series (Moderna or Pfizer) at least 28 days for Moderna or 21 days for Pfizer after the second dose.
Along with the weekly update, since many may be getting ready for the upcoming celebrations such as Halloween or Día de los Muertos, we would like to share some tips from @Oregon Health Authority for a fun and safe outing:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has more tips for safe holiday celebrations here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/celebrations.html
After this weekly report was published, Tillamook County Public Health was notified of an additional COVID-19 related death, this report has been updated.
TILLAMOOK, Ore. — During the month of October (10/1/21 – 10/21/21), 89 new cases of COVID-19 were tracked in Tillamook County; 61 over the past 14 days (10/3 – 10/16), 36 over the last 7 days (10/10 – 10/16) and 16 over this past weekend (10/15 – 10/17). Test positivity over the past week was recorded at 7.0%. In total since March 2020, 1,969 COVID-19 cases have been tracked in Tillamook County, 85 hospitalizations and 32 COVID-19 related deaths. Three new COVID-19 related death from September were reported yesterday, more information can be found here.
Oregon Health Authority Breakthrough Case Report shows that during the week of October 10 – October 16 statewide, 76.5% of new COVID-19 cases were unvaccinated and 23.5% were vaccine breakthrough cases. The median age of breakthrough cases was 48 years. 35 (1.8%) breakthrough cases were residents of care facilities, senior living communities or other congregate living settings. 439 (22.2%) cases were 65 or older. There were 88 (4.5%) 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 6x, raising the death toll from 5 to 32.
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 16, Oregon Health Authority Oregon COVID-19 Variant Count shows 8,818 delta variant cases have been tracked in Oregon and 1,774 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, as of 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, 17,005 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, 68.47% of those eligible for the vaccine (12 and older) are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and 59.91% 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
