OHA working with county and hospital officials on outbreak linked to Medford hospital, Aug. 10

OHA and Jackson County Public Health are investigating a COVID-19 outbreak associated with Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford. Jackson County Public Health is collaborating with Asante to support the medical center as they respond to the outbreak. Cases have been identified among residents of Jackson, Josephine and Klamath counties. OHA and Jackson County public health officials began investigating two separate department outbreaks at the medical center in early July, which were reported in the OHA Weekly Workplace Outbreak Report. Last week, Asante reported a significant increase in cases from multiple departments, leading OHA to consolidate the departmental outbreaks. As of Monday, OHA is aware of 61 cases associated with the ongoing outbreak at the medical center in Medford. A sample of the cases was sequenced and all were identified as the Delta variant. This outbreak comes as cases and outbreaks are rising throughout the United States and Oregon. In recent weeks, OHA has recorded a large increase in COVID-19 cases. That rise is linked to the spread of the Delta variant, which now accounts for nearly 100% of Oregon’s new cases. COVID-19 vaccines remain our strongest prevention tool against the rapidly spreading Delta variant. OHA anticipates outbreaks will continue to occur, particularly in communities with low vaccination rates. OHA encourage all eligible residents to get vaccinated in order to protect themselves and those who cannot be vaccinated, such as children under 12 years of age. Since late July, OHA has recommended that all persons, regardless of their vaccination status, wear a mask indoors in public spaces. OHA also encourages all Oregonians to consider masking if they plan to attend crowded outdoor events, especially if they are at higher risk for complications from COVID-19 or live with individuals who are unvaccinated or at higher risk for complications from COVID-19.