Month: April 2021

We need your help to decrease cases
in Lane County.

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 contact you.
As we shared last week; due to increasing numbers of cases of COVID-19 in Lane County, we will return to “High Risk” Level after the current “warning week” is over. “High Risk” requirements become effective is this Friday, April 23.

More information on the state guidance for risk levels and the process for counties moving between risk levels can be found here:

• County Status
• Weekly County Metrics

THE FIRST DOSE AVAILABLE TO YOU
IS THE BEST DOSE.

One of the best ways to get an appointment is through a pharmacy or primary care provider.

Bi-Mart
Fred Meyer
Rite Aid
Safeway/Albertsons
Walgreens
Walmart
Health Mart
Costco

Each week more doses are available through pharmacies and more primary care providers begin offering vaccinations.

Another option is a Lane County Public Health vaccination clinic. 

Lane County Public Health appointments are primarily scheduled through an online scheduling form. Scheduling for the majority of appointments opens on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for the coming weekend.  

Process to get an appointment (first or second dose) with Lane County for a COVID-19 Vaccination:

1. Visit www.lanecountyor.gov/vaxclinics
2. Click the “Schedule a Vaccine Appointment” button.
3. Select whether you are receiving a first or second dose, complete the screening questions and contact information.
4. Clinics may be available on multiple days in multiple locations.  Please select the clinic closest to you.  We ask that you reserve clinic appointments in rural areas for residents of those areas.

If you are in the process of scheduling and we run out of appointments, you will receive a red error message OR no dates or times will show up.  This means there is nothing available for the options selected.  We recommend you review the form pages to ensure everything entered is accurate.  If all the information is accurate and there are still no dates showing up you will need to check back at a later time.  Appointments are typically opened on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.  Once eligible you remain eligible and will be able to schedule an appointment as more become available.

What about the second dose?

If you get 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. 

If you received your first dose from another provider and are not able to get your second dose from that provider you can schedule your second dose with Lane County Public Health using the same process outlined above.  It is important that you receive the same brand for your second dose that you received for your first dose.

Please remember that there is only enough vaccine supply to vaccinate a small portion of eligible residents each week. Lane County will continue vaccinating as quickly as vaccine supply allows.

What if I want the Johnson & Johnson single dose?

On April 13, out of an abundance of caution, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a statement recommending a pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine immediately while they review data involving six reported U.S. cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot in women ages 18–48 after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

The below video includes Lane County Public Health Press Briefing content regarding the pause.

Click here to view the Oregon Health Authority statement and Q&A document

Lane County COVID-19 Vaccination Data Webpage

(updated weekdays (data below as of 4/20/2021 at 8:00 a.m.)

92,509:   Fully Vaccinated 
60,658:   Have received first dose only 
239,654:Total doses administered


49.54%: Percentage of Lane County ADULTS – who have received at least 1 dose.
29.92%: Percentage of Lane County ADULTS – FULLY vaccinated
 

Weekly Allocation Data – April 19-25, 2021

9,360:  Vaccine Allocation Prime doses
10,220:  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

You can view the most recent press conference regarding vaccination at https://vimeo.com/537435445

LA VACUNA CONTRA EL COVID-19
EL CONDADO DE LANE EN ESPAÑOL

You can find more information about COVID-19 in Lane County at:

www.lanecounty.org/coronavirus 

Lane County Raised to High Risk Category – Begins Friday, April 23

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 been raised into the high risk category for the two-week period beginning April 23. 

With the increased 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. 

With COVID-19 cases on the rise again, it’s important to answer the call from contact tracers at Lane County Public Health. Keeping individuals informed of exposure is one of the many tools we can use to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Contact tracing calls come from a number beginning with 541-682-XXXX, and contact tracers will leave a message if the phone has a voicemail box. 

Vaccines Available to Everyone Ages 16+

As of Monday, April 19, COVID-19 vaccines are available to everyone ages 16 and older in Oregon. 

Lane County residents can schedule a vaccine appointment directly by visiting the Lane County COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics webpage. 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.

Community Update Email Schedule Changing

Now that vaccines are available to everyone ages 16 and older, we will no longer send community update emails every two weeks. Lane County Public Health is the lead health agency in our area and we encourage you to check their COVID-19 website and social media pages for the most accurate information.  

We’ve appreciated the opportunity to share the latest COVID-19 information to your email inbox as well as stories about community recovery. We will continue to share information on social media and will provide further updates as needed through email.  

Check out these resources for COVID-19 information to keep yourself and your loved ones safe: 

• Lane County COVID-19 website 
• Lane County Facebook 
• Oregon Health Authority website 
• City of Eugene website 
• City of Eugene Facebook 
• City of Eugene Twitter 
• City of Eugene Instagram 

COVID-19 Community Survey Results

A representative survey of Eugeneans conducted late last year reveals that while the pandemic has significantly impacted our community emotionally and financially, people in Eugene stepped up to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect each other from the virus. The Eugene City Council reviewed and discussed the survey results at their Work Session on Wednesday, April 14.  

Notable emotional and financial impacts include: 

• According to the survey, four out of ten (45%) residents are experiencing emotional distress as a result of COVID‐19.  
• Results also showed that access to mental health services may be more difficult for those with lower incomes. Those reporting lower incomes were more likely to not be able to access mental health services when needed.  
• Twenty‐seven percent (26.9%) of Eugene residents indicated their financial situation has worsened as a result of the COVID‐19 outbreak. For many this has meant reduced work hours, decreased sales, postponed projects or contracts, or losing a job. The food service industry was the top industry in which people reported losing jobs.  
• One out of ten (10%) residents had trouble paying for necessities (rent/mortgage, food, utilities, etc.) during the pandemic and thirteen percent (13%) think they will have problems paying for necessities. 

Learn more and see the full report. 

Follow the Four

Help us reduce our risk level by continuing to follow these important recommendations: 

1. Stay six feet apart 
2. Wear a mask (see CDC’s tips on how to improve your mask fit) 
3. Wash your hands 
4. Avoid large gatherings  

Guidance for Fully Vaccinated People: 

• CDC Guidance for fully vaccinated people 
• Lane County Public Health Post-Vaccine Guidance 

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:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• State of Oregon
• Oregon Health Authority
• Lane County Public Health

Lane County Call Center: Open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., 541-682-1380

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.

Lane County COVID-19 Vaccination Data Webpage

(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

LA VACUNA CONTRA EL COVID-19 EL CONDADO DE LANE EN ESPAÑOL

You can find more information about COVID-19 in Lane County at:www.lanecounty.org/coronavirus

Lane County  Cases on the Rise

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 we do return to a higher risk level, there will be new guidance for indoor activities such as dining, gyms, entertainment establishments, faith institutions and more. See Oregon Health Authority’s guidance for activities at each risk level.

Free COVID-19 Testing

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.

Guidance for Fully Vaccinated People:

• CDC Guidance for fully vaccinated people
• Lane County Public Health Post-Vaccine Guidance

Follow the Four

Help us remain at a reduced risk level by continuing to follow these important recommendations:

1. Stay six feet apart
2. Wear a mask (see CDC’s recent tips on how to improve your mask fit)
3. Wash your hands
4. Avoid large gatherings

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:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• State of Oregon
• Oregon Health Authority
• Lane County Public Health

Lane County Call Center: Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., 541-682-1380