MEDFORD, Ore. -- Local public health officials announced new confirmed cases of the coronavirus in southern Oregon and northern California as of Tuesday, April 7.
JACKSON:
On Monday, Jackson County Public Health announced no new cases of COVID-19, leaving the countywide total at 39 cases. The agency continued to drive home the need for people to practice social distancing to stop the spread, however.
“Jackson County Public Health continues to receive daily complaints from community members about people not practicing social distancing,” says Tanya Phillips, Health Promotion Manager for Jackson County Public Health. “We have received complaints about parents throwing birthday parties, large home gatherings, people who seem ill out in public settings, and people not practicing social distancing when they are in public accessing essential services.”
Since Sunday, Jackson County reports that six people have been hospitalized with the illness. Cases have been almost evenly split between men and women and have been somewhat more prevalent in people age 60 or older — though a number of confirmed cases have occurred in people as young as their 20s.
KLAMATH:
Klamath County Public Health has announced one new confirmed case in the county on Tuesday. The countywide total number of confirmed cases is now 22. Of those cases, 21 are active, and one has fully recovered.
"More testing kits are now in the county. Individuals who are not showing symptoms should not be tested," public health officials said. "The kits should be used to determine a diagnosis for a person with symptoms. As more testing happens, more positive cases will be found."
On Monday, Sky Lakes Medical Center said that it would expand its drive-up testing to anyone who appears, not just those with a doctor's order.
"It is important to look at the number of people who have been hospitalized, only three, in relation to the overall total of 22," Klamath County Public Health continued. "Evidence is showing that people may contract the virus and have no symptoms. They may infect others without realizing it. This is why it is important to continue the practices of staying home, social or physical distancing of six feet, disinfecting surfaces, and frequent handwashing."
Klamath County Public Health says that at this time 399 tests have been completed for COVID-19 in the county.
KCPH says that 14 of the confirmed cases are women, and eight are men. 3 of the 15 cases have been hospitalized for the virus.
At present, cases in Klamath County skew toward younger people — fairly unusual compared to other populations. Four cases have been between the ages of 20-29, seven in the 30-39 age group, three in 40-49, three 50-59, four 60-69, and one 70-79.
JOSEPHINE:
Josephine County Public Health officials announced no new cases of Coronavirus in the county on Monday. This leaves the countywide total number of cases at 16.
According to the City of Grants Pass as of April 3, three of the area's cases have completely recovered. One person has been hospitalized.
As of 7 a.m. on April 6, a total of 498 COVID-19 tests from Josephine County have been reported to OHA, and a total of 16 tests have been positive. More samples have been sent to approved labs, but results have not yet been returned.
CURRY:
On Sunday night, Curry County announced its first three confirmed cases of COVID-19:
"As of late this evening, Curry County Public Health has received information through Coos County Public Health of two Curry County residents who were tested for the COVID-19 virus. The tests were performed in Coos County and those tests were confirmed positive today for the Corona Virus (COVID-19). The two individuals have been self-isolating. Also this afternoon, Curry General Hospital notified Curry County Public Health of another confirmed COVID-19 case of a Curry County resident who has also been self-isolating. This is unrelated to the first two cases."
Curry County Public Health said it has been in contact with all three individuals, and all three are symptom-free. Those patients will be monitored daily.
SISKIYOU:
As of Monday morning, Siskiyou County officials say that there are four confirmed COVID-19 cases in the county. Three of those people have since recovered from the illness.
There have been a total of 104 tests performed — 91 were negative, and nine are still awaiting results.
Total number of confirmed cases by county for the southern Oregon and Siskiyou County region:
- Jackson: 39
- Klamath: 22
- Josephine: 16
- Lake: 0
- Curry: 3
- Siskiyou: 4
Tune into NewsWatch 12 at 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. tonight for the most up to date Coronavirus numbers and information.
