TILLAMOOK COUNTY COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS: Tillamook County COVID-19 Update – January 14, 2022

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TILLAMOOK, Ore. — In the first two weeks of January 2022, we have had 283 cases and 5 COVID-19 related deaths, raising the pandemic total COVID-19 case count to 2,710 and total COVID-19 related death toll to 54.
Omicron has been detected in Tillamook County, and Tillamook County has entered the anticipated surge. The demand for COVID-19 tests has increased, Tillamook County still waits for expected home-tests from Oregon Health Authority to help reduce strain on the healthcare system and increase access for those who have not been able to get tested very easily.

In addition, Oregon Health Authority has launched a new site and hotline to support individuals who have tested positive. This information, steps on how to quarantine and isolate, downloadable resources and more have been added to our COVID-19 Testing & Care page: https://tillamookchc.org/covid-19-testing/
Together we can reduce the impact of the Omicron surge, by increasing the number of people who get vaccinated, get their booster if they’re already vaccinated, wear their mask in indoor public places, and avoid large gatherings.

COVID-19 Case Information:

From Jan 1st -13th, 283 new cases of COVID-19 were tracked in Tillamook County; over the past 14 days, December 26 – January 08, 220 cases occurred, in 7 days, January 02 – January 08, 129 cases occurred, and over the weekend, January 07 – January 09, 53 cases. Test positivity over the past week was recorded at 19%.

In total since March 2020, 2,710 COVID-19 cases have been tracked in Tillamook County, 116 hospitalizations and 54 COVID-19 related deaths. Three new COVID-19 related deaths were reported this week.

Oregon Health Authority Breakthrough Case Report shows that during the week of January 2 – January 8, 2022, statewide, 73.6% of new COVID-19 cases were unvaccinated and 26.4% were vaccine breakthrough cases. The median age of breakthrough cases was 36 years. 45 (0.4%) breakthrough cases were residents of care facilities, senior living communities or other congregate living settings. 1198 (10%) cases were 65 or older. There were 985 (8.2%) cases aged 12-17.

View more on case tracking in Tillamook County here: https://tillamookchc.org/coronavirus/covid19-case-tracking/

COVID-19 Variant News:

As of Saturday January 08, 2022, Oregon Health Authority Oregon COVID-19 Variant Count shows 17,100 Delta variant cases and 416 Omicron variant cases have been tracked in Oregon and 4,051 Delta and 41 Omicron in Region 1 (Clackamas, Clatsop, Multnomah, Tillamook, and Washington counties).

Tillamook County follows Oregon Health Authority guidance on sequencing positive tests to detect variants. The variant Omicron has not been detected in Tillamook County at this time. When it is, a new release will be made available.

Together we can reduce the predicted upcoming surge from the variant Omicron by increasing the number of people who get vaccinated, get their booster if they’re already vaccinated, wear their mask in indoor public places, and avoid large gatherings. We must double down on following the measures we know will keep us as safe as possible.

OHA Director Patrick Allen shared Oregon’s Omicron Response Plan which included OHA’s 5-point plan to confront the Omicron surge, available on our website and Oregon Health Authority.

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 – 5pm (exception closed January 17th), appointments are required, please call 503-842-3900.

Oregon Health Authority is changing to an opt-in model for investigating COVID-19 cases, launching a new website and hotline as a way for people who test positive for the virus to report results from an at-home test kit or testing provider rather than initiating contact for all positive cases (some may still be contacted) as a way to help reduce the strain on public health systems.

People using the new Positive COVID Test website and COVID-19 Case Support Hotline, 866-917-8881, can complete an online survey linked from the web portal to report their positive case, or get help completing the survey through the hotline. They can also get information on isolation and other ways to keep themselves and those around them safe while they recover.

Please know that if you test positive for COVID-19, there is safe treatment available in Tillamook County. To learn about your treatment options visit: https://govstatus.egov.com/or-oha-covid-19-treatments. Please notify your provider right away if you test positive, some treatments 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.

Learn more about COVID-19 testing and care: https://tillamookchc.org/covid-19-testing/

COVID-19 Vaccine Update:

VACCINATIONS: To date, 18,267 Tillamook County residents have chosen to be vaccinated with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

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. In Tillamook County, 72,31% of those eligible for the vaccine (12 and older) are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and 63,28% 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 and your family this winter with a Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 (1st, 2nd or booster dose) vaccine, flu, and pneumonia shot.

Update Vaccine Clinics for January:

  • Walk in Clinic at Tillamook County Fairgrounds Convention Center: Thursdays 10am – 6pm. No scheduling required.
  • Vaccine by appointment at TCCHC main clinic (801 pacific Ave.): Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm. Call 503-842-3900 to schedule.

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.

  • 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 at the walk-in vaccine.

  • Pfizer for Youths 5-11 y.o:
    • Pediatric doses of the Pfizer #COVID19 vaccine are now approved for use in Oregon for children ages 5 through 11 and Tillamook County has received the doses! Pediatric COVID-19 doses are available from healthcare provider’s offices, pharmacies, and our walk-in vaccine clinic. 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” six months after your 3rd dose of Pfizer of Moderna.

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.

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.
For more information, go to www.tilllamookchc.org

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