Jackson County Reports Record 614 New COVID-19 Cases Wednesday

MEDFORD, Oregon – Jackson County on Wednesday posted a new record for daily coronavirus cases, public health officials reporting 614. The number of cases easily broke the record of 416 cases reported less than two weeks earlier.

Hospitalizations also increased on Wednesday the previous day, reaching 221 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and 60 patients in an intensive care unit (ICU). This includes Jackson and Josephine counties, organized as a hospital region of Oregon 5.

The county has also reported two more deaths attributed to the virus, bringing the county’s death toll to 192 since the start of the pandemic. A 69-year-old woman died on August 23 at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center and a 65-year-old man died on August 23 at Providence Medford Medical Center. Both had underlying health issues.

“Governor Kate Brown and Oregon Health Authority officials enacted an inside cover-up warrant in response to the increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations on Aug. 13,” officials said. public health in a press release. “Cases and hospitalizations continue to rise, reaching all-time highs in Oregon and particularly in Jackson County. Yesterday, the governor announced that the new rule would extend this mask requirement to outdoor areas.”

The enlarged mask requirement begins Friday and means masks will be required in most outdoor public places where physical distancing is not possible, regardless of vaccination status.

“Jackson County Public Health and Hospital Systems are encouraging the community to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and bring relief to the hospital system. The best way to stop the spread of the Delta variant is to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and wear masks, ”the agency said.

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine received full FDA approval earlier this week for people 16 and older, with emergency use approval still in place for those 12 to 15 years old. Moderna announced this week that it has completed submission to the FDA for approval of its vaccine for people 18 years of age and older.