Jackson County reports another COVID-19 death; 60 cases

Jackson County Public Health on Thursday reported 60 new coronavirus cases and another fatality attributed to the virus.

According to the agency, a 90-year-old woman tested positive on November 30 and died on December 7 at her residence. She had underlying conditions. This latest death brought Jackson County’s total to 45 since the pandemic began.

“Flattening the curve remains an important goal during this pandemic,” Jackson County Public Health said. “To drive down the spread of COVID-19 in our communities, we all must act by wearing a mask, watching our distance, washing our hands, and limiting the number and size of the gatherings we attend.”

Officials reported a “possible workplace outbreak” at Sherm’s Thunderbird Market on Wednesday. The ongoing investigation has so far identified five cases tied to the store.

“According to the Centers for Disease Control, no single strategy can control the pandemic; instead, a comprehensive approach using all available evidence-based strategies at the individual and community levels can break transmission chains and address high levels of community transmission; reduce related illnesses, long-term sequelae, and deaths; and mitigate the pandemic’s economic impact,” Jackson County officials continued.

In neighboring Josephine County, public health officials have ceased reporting daily case counts as they take an all-hands-on-deck approach to contact tracing and case investigation from the recent surge. Josephine County Public Health has continued to mark deaths, reporting on Wednesday that a 73-year-old woman had tested positive on November 30 and died December 8 at Asante Three Rivers Medical Center in Grants Pass, the county’s eighth death. She had underlying conditions.