Lane County is in our state warning week. Due to increasing COVID-19 cases we are currently on track to move to High Risk Level starting Friday April 23.
Please help lower our risk level by limiting gatherings, wearing masks, washing your hands, maintaining physical distancing, staying home when sick and working with contact tracers when they call you.
More information on the state guidance for risk levels and the process for counties moving between risk levels can be found here:
Traditionally, elders in communities of color hold an integral space as living history, story tellers and as a source of advisory or guidance.
Lane County Public Health worked with local elders to create vaccine confidence videos explaining why they received the vaccine as a way to encourage other members of our communities to get vaccinated by using our community’s original influencers – our elders.
Follow Lane County social media platforms for new videos or view the full series at www.vimeo.com/lanecountygov.
(updated weekdays (data below as of 4/12/2021 at 8:00 a.m.)
83,120: Fully Vaccinated 53,324: Have received first dose only 214,270:Total doses administered
44.13%: Percentage of Lane County ADULTS – who have received at least 1 dose. 26.89%: Percentage of Lane County ADULTS – FULLY vaccinated
Weekly Allocation Data – April 12-18, 2021
7,210: Vaccine Allocation Prime doses 0: Vaccine Allocation Single dose (Johnson & Johnson) 8,780: Vaccine Allocation of Boost (2nd) doses
The data reported is direct from Oregon Health Authority’s database, current to the time it was pulled. Since the data is constantly being updated, numbers can vary. Total vaccinations refers to doses, while persons vaccinated is referring to the people who received doses. There is sometimes a delay in reporting of doses administered (meaning the vials of vaccine have been distributed) and the connection to the persons who received it. The percentage of fully vaccinated does refer to those who have received both doses.
If you want more information on vaccination statistics, please visit: OHA Data Page
The Oregon mega fires of 2020 showed us that winds can propel a burning fury of sparks into our most densely populated urban areas, threatening dozens to hundreds of homes. Our community’s safety can be greatly enhanced by each of us receiving a custom fire risk assessment and reducing hazardous fuels as appropriate for our homes and property.
SHiNA is collaborating with the Eugene Wildfire Preparedness Coalition (EWPC) and the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) to identify properties that are in need of tree pruning and invasive plant removal to lower the risk of wildfire in the wooded neighborhoods of the South Hills.
Please reach out if you’d like a free Fire Risk Property Assessment and help with fuel reduction. To be part of this program email eug.fire.prep.coalition@gmail.com or call 541-972-3867. EWPC will contact you to schedule an assessment for wildfire risks that addresses how to make your home and property more resilient.
Join us on Tuesday, April 13th at 6:00PM when we will detail the enrollment process, introduce staff, share school procedures, and answer any questions you might have.
Please call the school office (541-790-5000) if you are unable to attend the orientation and have questions about the enrollment process.
Lane County’s COVID-19 cases are on the rise, serving as a reminder about the importance of remaining vigilant and taking precautions to limit the spread of the virus in our community.
As of April 6, Lane County qualified to move back up to Moderate Risk, but was given a two-week caution period at Lower Risk because it moved down from Moderate Risk in the last movement period. Read more about Oregon’s Risk and Protection Framework.
By taking action now, we have the potential to limit the spread of the virus and reduce the number of positive cases in our community. This action includes things we all know like washing our hands, staying home when we’re sick, wearing our face mask, and avoiding large gatherings.
If you traveled over spring break, or just want peace of mind, it’s a good time to get tested. The University of Oregon COVID-19 Monitoring and Assessment Program (MAP) is offering free COVID-19 testing to asymptomatic individuals ages 3 and over in Lane County. Appointments are available Tuesdays through Fridays. Register online by 5 p.m. the night before.
Vaccine Eligibility Updates
Group 7 Now Eligible Last week, Lane County announced that everyone in Phase 1B, Group 7 is now eligible to receive a vaccination. This group includes:
Adults 16 and over with underlying health conditions
Frontline workers as defined by the CDC
Family members of frontline workers
Multigenerational household members
See details about the eligibility groups including an expanded list of underlying conditions.
All Oregonians Over 16 Eligible April 19 Additionally, Governor Brown announced on Tuesday that all Oregonians over the age of 16 will be eligible to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine on April 19.
Lane County residents who are currently eligible can schedule a vaccine appointment directly by visiting the Lane County COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics webpage. The preregistration requirement was removed and there is no longer a need to wait for an email invitation from Lane County Public Health to schedule an appointment. You can also schedule an appointment at one of many local pharmacy providers. See links to participating pharmacies. Take the first appointment available to you whether from Lane County, your primary care provider or your pharmacy.
Post-Vaccine Guidance
COVID-19 vaccines are effective at protecting you from getting sick. Based on what we know about COVID-19 vaccines, people who have been fully vaccinated can start to do some things that they had stopped doing because of the pandemic.
We’re still learning how vaccines will affect the spread of COVID-19. After you’ve been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you should keep taking precautions in public places like wearing a mask, staying 6 feet apart from others, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces until we know more.
People are considered fully vaccinated:
2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, like the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or
2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, like Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine
If it has been less than 2 weeks since your shot, or if you still need to get your second dose, you are NOT yet receiving all the protective benefits of the vaccine. Keep taking all prevention steps until you are fully vaccinated.
See a list of Community Resources for physical and mental health, food, housing, businesses, employees, schools and children, as well as information in Spanish.
Also learn how you can help. Our partners have a significant amount of information available online. Please visit these resources for the most up to date information:
New Vaccine Eligibility Guidelines Released on March 22
Following the announcement from the Oregon Health Authority, Lane County Public Health is preparing to roll out a new system for scheduling vaccination appointments to address the increased eligibility groups and prepare for vaccinating all who become eligible by May 1.
We will continue our commitment to vaccinating those 65+ and in Phase 1A by reserving doses for these groups, while offering doses to newly eligible groups. The Oregon Health Authority determines the priority and eligibility criteria for COVID19 vaccination.
Who is eligible right now?
Phase 1A: All Groups Phase 1B: Groups 1-5(educators & childcare and community members who are 65+ years of age)
NEWLY ELIGIBLE THIS WEEK (as of 3/22/2021)
PHASE 1B: GROUP 6
• Adults 45-64 with underlying health conditions • Pregnant people 16 and older • People living in low-income senior housing, senior congregate and independent living • Migrant and seasonal farm workers • Seafood, Agricultural and Food Processing workers • Individuals experiencing houselessness • People currently displaced by wildfires • Wildland firefighters
Who will be eligible next?
Phase 1B, Group 7, will be eligible No later than April 19, 2021.
Adults 16 and over with underlying health conditions
Frontline workers as defined by the CDC
Multigenerational household members
Phase 2, will be eligible No later than May 1, 2021.
You must be eligible under current Oregon Health Authority guidelines to schedule an appointment. See above for current eligibility and links to OHA eligibility guidance.
Anyone who is currently eligible can schedule their first or second dose by going to www.lanecounty.org/vaxclinics and clicking on “Schedule a Vaccine Appointment.” You do not need to preregister, update preregistration or wait for an invitation email to schedule an appointment. You DO need to have a scheduled appointment to attend one of the Lane County vaccination clinics.
This webpage also has details on each of the clinic locations, what to expect and what to bring: www.lanecounty.org/vaxclinics
Please call 541-682-1380 or email corona-info@lanecountyor.gov if you need assistance scheduling an appointment. (Las personas que llaman en español tienen la opción de dejar un recado.)
If you got your first dose at a LCPH mass vaccine clinic, we will also take care of your second dose and you are not competing against others trying to schedule their first doses. You can use the same link to schedule a vaccine appointment to schedule your second dose and you do not need to wait for an email. In addition we will continue to send emails and make phone calls to those needing second doses.
When you first try to schedule appointment dates may not be available far enough out for you to scheduled in your second dose window. Please check the link closer to the start of your second dose window to schedule as we continue to add clinics dates. Lane County will not administer 2nd doses any earlier that the start of the second dose window.
Pfizer second dose window is 21-42 days after your first dose
Moderna second dose window is 28-42 days after your first dose.
If you have not been able to schedule your 2nd dose by 36 days after your first dose please contact Lane County Public Health at 541-682-1380 or corona-info@lanecountyor.gov for assistance with scheduling before the end of the second dose window. (Las personas que llaman en español tienen la opción de dejar un recado.)
What exactly is equity and what does it have to do with you?
Equity means giving people access to the things that they need in order to be successful. It’s different from equality because equality means everyone having the same experience.
When we talk about COVID-19, we see inequities. We see communities of color experiencing higher rates of the disease and death due to the disease as well as lower rates of vaccinations. Here are some examples:
According to the Oregon Health Authority, 26% of COVID-19 cases in the state are Latino. But Latinos only make up 13% of the overall population in Oregon.
Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders are dying at 17 times the rate of white people
Latinx and Black people are dying at a 3.5 times the rate of white people
Native Americans are dying at 2.4 times the rate of white people
The life expectancy of Black people declined by three years (from 75 to 72 years) in 2020
This can be for a whole host of reasons.
To ensure that communities that are most impacted by COVID-19 – specifically communities of color, people who are unhoused, and seniors with disabilities – have access to the vaccine as quickly as possible, Lane County Public Health are working to meet communities where they are through these tailored strategies:
Lane County Public Health is partnering with Community Based Organizations to hold smaller clinics for the people that those organizations serve.
Lane County Public Health piloted a is partnering with Community Based Organizations to get eligible members of the populations that they serve signed up to receive a vaccination.
Grassroots community organizers have been hard at work throughout this pandemic supporting their communities and that work should not go unnoticed. Some of the Community Based Organizations we want to acknowledge are Latinx Alliance, ARC of Lane County, NAACP of Springfield and Eugene, HIV Alliance, and Centro Latino Americano, and Senior and Disability Services.
We would like to show support to these community organizers (organizations) while honoring and addressing that our diverse communities are part of the fabric that makes Lane County such a great place to learn, grow, and thrive.
Thank you Lane County for reaching a Low Risk Level!
THANKS TO THE EFFORTS OF OUR COMMUNITY LANE COUNTY MOVED TO THE LOW RISK LEVEL ON MARCH 26, 2021
What does it mean?
Rate of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 over 14 days is below 50. Percentage test positivity over previous 14 days is below 5%
54,704: Fully Vaccinated 46,120:Have received first dose only 153,434:Total doses administered
17.69%: Percentage of Lane County ADULTS – FULLY vaccinated 2,611.1: People per 10,000 vaccinated
6,900: Vaccine Allocation Prime doses for the week of March 22 4,516: Vaccine Allocation of Boost (2nd) doses for the week of March 22
The data reported is direct from Oregon Health Authority’s database, current to the time it was pulled. Since the data is constantly being updated, numbers can vary. Total vaccinations refers to doses, while persons vaccinated is referring to the people who received doses. There is sometimes a delay in reporting of doses administered (meaning the vials of vaccine have been distributed) and the connection to the persons who received it. The percentage of fully vaccinated does refer to those who have received both doses.
If you want more information on vaccination statistics, please visit: OHA Data Page
Lane County Moved Down to Lower Risk Category – Begins Friday, March 26
Oregon’s Risk and Protection Framework uses data to help inform safety measures at the county level. Every two weeks, Governor Kate Brown’s office announces the revised risk status of each county based on current data. Lane County has moved down into the lower risk category for the two-week period beginning March 26. With the reduced risk level comes new guidance including what is allowed for indoor activities such as dining, gyms, entertainment establishments and faith institutions. See Oregon Health Authority’s guidance for activities at each risk level.
New Lane County Vaccine Registration; Group 6 Now Eligible
Following the announcement from the Oregon Health Authority, effective today Lane County Public Health has rolled out a new system for scheduling vaccination appointments to address the increased eligibility groups and prepare for vaccinating all who become eligible by May 1.
The Oregon Health Authority determines the priority and eligibility criteria for COVID-19 vaccination. As of today, March 23, all Lane County residents who are currently eligible will be able to schedule a vaccine appointment directly by visiting the Lane County COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics webpage. This system removes the preregistration requirement and has removed the need to wait for an email invitation to schedule an appointment. See Lane County’s Vaccine FAQ for more information on the new registration process.
Currently eligible groups include:Phase 1a, all groups Phase 1b, groups 1-5 Phase 1b, group 6 All Adults to be Eligible for Vaccine by May 1
Oregon Health Authority has announced that everyone 16 and older will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations by May 1. The state will continue to make equity the center of its vaccine distribution efforts, ensuring that seniors, people with underlying conditions, frontline workers, and the Oregonians most vulnerable to COVID-19 have the opportunity for vaccinations as soon as possible. Please remember that vaccine availability may be limited by supply as new groups become eligible.
There is a new statewide eviction moratorium (HB 4401) that will last until June 30, 2021. This means that, with limited exceptions, landlords cannot evict renters for nonpayment or without cause until July of 2021. Renters must sign and return a form to their landlord if they can’t afford their rent. This form is available from the Oregon Judicial Branch. Please spread the word! Learn more in this short video about the eviction moratorium.
Follow the Four
Help us remain at a reduced risk level by continuing to follow these important recommendations:
See a list of Community Resources for physical and mental health, food, housing, businesses, employees, schools and children, as well as information in Spanish.
Also learn how you can help. Our partners have a significant amount of information available online. Please visit these resources for the most up to date information:
We now have additional opportunities for the community to provide feedback on the Community Safety Initiative to the city:
Two virtual public listening sessions are scheduled Wednesday, March 24th12:00-2:00pm and, Tuesday, March 30th6:00 – 8:00 pm. Both meetings can be accessed at this link, and require the passcode: CSI-2021
The Eugene City Council wants to hear from community members about community safety needs as they finalize funding priorities for the Community Safety Payroll Tax. In addition to an online survey (open through March 31), Eugeneans can attend virtual meetings this month to share their perspective on the Community Safety Initiative (CSI) strategy and approach. Both meetings will follow the same format, and will be recorded and available for viewing after their scheduled times to increase access to information.
One year ago today, the City of Eugene – along with Lane County and Springfield – declared a state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We had no idea our city and the world would be so greatly impacted by the virus; the loved ones we would lose, the connections that were no longer safe, and the loss of so many “normal” interactions and events. As of today, 136 Lane County residents have lost their lives to COVID-19, and more than 2,300 Oregonians.
Even with the great loss Oregon has experienced, our county and state were spared the overwhelming surges of COVID-19 patients in hospitals that was seen in other parts of our country. This is, in part, due to the sacrifices we all made. Thank you to all in our community who continue to take COVID-19 precautions. We’re not through this yet, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
While essential City services continued, we formed several new teams to respond to all of the challenges COVID-19 brought. Read on for a message from the City Manager and to learn about some of the work we’ve done since last March to help support the community.
Strike Teams Provide Vaccine Support
Several strike teams have been dispatched to assist at local vaccination events. These strike teams are mostly made up of first responders from Eugene Springfield Fire, and have provided 25,500 vaccinations since early February.
A member of Eugene Springfield Fire vaccinates someone at a first responder clinic.
Childcare for First Responders and the Community
The City of Eugene, in partnership with Eugene YMCA and Eugene 4J School District, provided emergency childcare to first responders and essential workers in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. City Recreation staff then continued to provide safe childcare services to our community throughout the pandemic meeting a critical community need.
Business Support
To support local business, the City initiated several recovery strategies during the pandemic:
Through a partnership with Business Oregon, distributed free PPE to more than 1,584 businesses and nonprofits in Eugene. In total, we distributed:
36,630 boxes of face masks
14,652 packages of disinfecting wipes
14,108 boxes of vinyl gloves
Created the Streatery Program to allow restaurants to expand their serving areas onto sidewalks and on-street parking spaces.
Helped facilitate outdoor fitness classes in parking garages, public sidewalks and via low-cost park rentals.
Opened Kesey Square “Food Hall” to offer space for the public to sit and eat take-out food from downtown restaurants and food carts.
Provided designated free parking spots in front of local restaurants for carry-out customers and delivery companies.
Established a Business Help Team to assist employers by answering questions about financing options, reopening guidelines and other topics.
COVID-19 created a new and challenging landscape for providing services to people experiencing homelessness. Our goal is to balance the varying needs for community safety and recovery. We worked with critical community partners to support the unhoused with programs including: – Designated temporary shelter sites: We worked with non-profit social service providers to establish designated temporary shelter sites to give people experiencing homelessness a safe and sanitary place to live, while reducing the need for the residents to move around the community. Watch a video highlighting the positive impact of the designated temporary shelter sites. – Microsites: The City established two microsites to provide longer-term transitional shelter to small groups of individuals who are currently experiencing homelessness. Staff continue to seek additional sites, exploring both public and private property partnerships. – Sanitation Stations: We distributed portable restrooms and hand washing stations throughout the community to support sanitation and hygiene needs. See current locations of all sanitation stations. – Mobile outreach teams: The City stood up mobile outreach teams to reach out to people sheltering where they were, monitor community health, provide COVID-19 education and essential hygiene needs, and give appropriate referrals to services. This work continues as the City adapted this model to create a longer-term outreach team that connects with people experiencing homelessness and supports them in getting assistance.
The City continues to work with Lane County and partners in the community to find safe places for unhoused community members, including creating more low-barrier shelter, affordable and permanent supportive housing, as well as rest stops and additional microsites. Read more about these efforts.
Eugene Community Recovery
Eugene Community Recovery represents the work of the City of Eugene, regional partners and members of our community who are working together to restore and improve the health and prosperity of our city as we begin the road to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Through our efforts and partner collaboration, the Recovery Team was able to get CARES Act Funding dollars out into the community by the December 31, 2020 deadline. We’ve been focused on ensuring equity and access in resource distribution – we know certain portions of our community have had a greater negative impact from COVID-19 and we have been committed to ensuring our resources are going to those who need it most. Read about our recovery focus areas and specific actions to support the community.
A Message From Your City Manager
I can’t believe I’m writing a one-year anniversary reflection of COVID-19 arriving in Eugene. I’m carrying strong feelings of hope while also acknowledging and feeling the exhaustion and pain of a long and challenging year. Many of you have experienced the direct health-related impacts of this virus, and my heart goes out to each of you who has suffered a loss or are still fighting for your own health. As we celebrate the cases going down and vaccines becoming increasingly available, it’s as important as ever to stay vigilant in prevention. My handwashing routine is forever changed, and I can’t imagine a day that I won’t have face masks in every corner of my life.
Hear from Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis, Springfield Mayor Sean VanGordon, and Lane County Commission Chair Joe Berney about the past year at Lane County’s weekly press conference tomorrow, Thursday, March 18, at 10:30 a.m. on their Facebook page, or watch later on the County’s Vimeo channel.
Our deepest gratitude goes to the frontline workers in our community. From health care professionals treating COVID-19 patients to those who enabled vital services to continue at grocery stores, post offices, childcare centers and all of the places people need to visit in-person. Your daily work is greatly appreciated by everyone in Eugene.
And to you – our friends, neighbors and community members – thank you for your commitment this past year to help save lives. Your sacrifices have made a difference and you may never know whose life you saved. We hope you are able to take a moment this week to reflect on all we have been through this past year. Through our collective action and sacrifice we are now able to begin to look towards the future with hope and optimism.
We are grateful to our partners at Lane County Public Health for their tireless work over the last year to lead our county through the COVID-19 pandemic and now their enormous effort pivoting to the largest vaccination effort our country has ever undertaken. Each week the County is able to vaccinate more and more of our community. Please make sure you are pre-registered to get your vaccine when you become eligible and the vaccine doses are available.
With vaccine distribution underway we can all look forward to slowly reintroducing some of our favorite traditions, and perhaps most importantly, safely hugging the people dearest to us in the near future. We have many exciting projects on the horizon for our community and we can’t wait to see you!
COVID-19 Resources
See a list of Community Resources for physical and mental health, food, housing, businesses, employees, schools and children, as well as information in Spanish.
Also learn how you can help. Our partners have a significant amount of information available online. Please visit these resources for the most up to date information:
