TILLAMOOK, Ore. — During the first week of September (9/1/21 – 9/8/21), 158 new cases of COVID-19 were tracked in Tillamook County; 52 new cases occurred this past weekend (9/3/21 – 9/5/21) and 359 over the past 14 days (8/22/21 – 09/05/21). Test positivity over the past week decreased to 16.6% compared to the previous week which was 23.9%. In total since March 2020, 1,647 COVID-19 cases have been tracked in Tillamook County, 71 hospitalizations and 18 COVID-19 related deaths.
The spread of COVID-19 in Tillamook County has reached a critical phase. From August 18, 2021, to September 6, 2021, we have had 13 COVID-19 associated deaths. That is 13 tragic deaths in 20 days. For the first 18 months of the pandemic, we had five local deaths due to COVID. In the past three weeks, we more than tripled the number of COVID deaths in Tillamook County, from five to eighteen.
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 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 (except for holidays), no appointments required. Must have symptoms or be a close contact.
For those who are required to be fully vaccinated by October 18th, here is an infographic with the recommended dates for each vaccine type to meet the requirement:
VACCINATIONS: To date, 16,213 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, 66.45% of those eligible for the vaccine are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and 55.02% 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 or 2nd dose. 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.
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