Lower testing contributes to reduced case count in Lane County
A drop off in new coronavirus cases could be attributed to a period of lower testing surrounding the holidays, a spokesman for Lane County Public Health said Tuesday.
Posted: Dec 29, 2020 6:14 PM
Updated: Dec 29, 2020 7:06 PM
Posted By: Jacob Roberts
EUGENE, Ore. – A drop-off in new coronavirus cases could be attributed to a period of lower testing surrounding the holidays, a spokesman for Lane County Public Health said Tuesday.
Jason Davis said new cases have gone down when compared to the past few weeks. On Tuesday, Lane County reported 45 cases and two new deaths. However, Davis said it’s the holidays and people are vacationing including public health staff. That translates to fewer public testing events and fewer overall tests being conducted.
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KLCC s Tiffany Eckert reports on the first COVID-19 vaccines administered to PeaceHealth RiverBend hospital staff.
It only took seconds to clean the injection site and poke the needle into Carol Eickmeyer’s arm. The roomful of hospital caregivers and staff erupted. (sound of clapping and cheers)
The registered nurse was first in line to receive the highly anticipated vaccine. After a 15-minute observation period with no negative side effects Eickmeyer described the experience.
“I feel great,” she said. “I’m excited about today. I’m excited that the vaccine is here in Oregon and that we’re finally getting it.”
She assured it was just a little sting. “Honestly it wasn’t as bad as the flu shot. I don’t feel anything anymore,” she said.
Coronavirus updates Monday: Oregon reports six more deaths, 846 cases
Register-Guard
The Oregon Health Authority reported six more deaths related to coronavirus on Monday, raising the state death toll to 1,347. OHA also reported 846 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 Monday bringing the state total to 103,755.
The number of hospitalized patients statewide is 528, two fewer than Sunday. There are 121 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit beds, which is unchanged from a day ago.
The cases reported Monday are in the following counties: Baker (1), Benton (7), Clackamas (114), Clatsop (3), Columbia (11), Coos (5), Crook (4), Curry (3), Deschutes (39), Douglas (27), Harney (3), Hood River (10), Jackson (41), Jefferson (26), Josephine (32), Lane (26), Lincoln (4), Linn (29), Malheur (4), Marion (69), Morrow (1), Multnomah (212), Polk (10), Tillamook (4), Umatilla (23), Union (1), Wasco (11), Washington (108), Yamhill (18).
The COVID-19 vaccine finally made its way to Lane County.
Two health care workers received their first dose of the Pfizer COVID- 19 vaccine at McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center in Springfield at 7 a.m. Monday. Healthcare workers at PeaceHealth started getting theirs at 9 a.m. It s the first of two required doses of the Pfizer vaccine; which are given 21 days apart.
The first two people in the county to get their vaccines were McKenzie-Willamette infectious disease Dr. Harry Scholtz and registered nurse Janet Strand. As they sat for their shots outside the center s front entrance, the sun had yet to rise and cars were already beginning to line up for the center s drive-thru COVID-19 testing clinic. After her shot, Strand was given a Superman Band-Aid.
Oregon receives full shipment of anticipated 35,100 vaccine doses (see where they went)
Updated Dec 19, 2020;
Posted Dec 18, 2020
Sarah Axness, RN receives a COVID-19 vaccination shot from Debra Henry as Oregon s first round of COVID-19 vaccinations are given at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center on Dec. 16, 2020. - First round of COVID-19 vaccination shots given at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center Dave KillenDave Killen
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The Oregon Health Authority announced Friday the state has now received its full scheduled weekly shipment of more than 35,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine.
Af of Wednesday, when vaccinations began at some hospitals, the state had fewer than 5,000 doses on hand.