Jackson County stuck in COVID-19 high risk category

Vickie Aldous, Mail Tribune, Medford, Ore.
·1 min read

Jul. 6—COVID-19 cases in Jackson County have risen 21% from the prior week, and the county remains stuck in the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention high risk category.

Jackson County Public Health reported 133 cases Tuesday after a lull in case counts over the Fourth of July weekend.

During June, daily case counts spiked above 100 on seven days. So far in July, case counts have jumped above 100 twice, according to public health data.

Hospitals in Jackson and Josephine counties were caring for 53 patients with the COVID-19 virus Tuesday, data shows.

Josephine County is in the CDC high risk category, as well. A majority of Oregon states are in the high risk category, with the rest at medium risk, according to the CDC.

During high risk conditions, the CDC recommends wearing a mask indoors in public, staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, getting tested if you have symptoms and taking additional precautions if you are at high risk for severe illness.

Neither the federal government nor Oregon state government are requiring indoor masks, but some local businesses are requiring their workers — or their workers and patrons — to wear masks. Oregon Shakespeare Festival, for example, started requiring masks for patrons and staff June 10 after Jackson County entered the CDC high risk category.

Jackson County's cases had been low following a winter surge in cases fueled by the omicron variant of the virus.

To check county risk levels anywhere in the nation, see www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html.

Reach Mail Tribune reporter Vickie Aldous at 541-776-4486 or valdous@rosebudmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @VickieAldous.