Lane County has seen a doubling of new COVID-19 cases— each week-- over the last month. Currently at 180 total cases, over 40% of them are people under the age of 30.
The most recent case cluster resulted from a 4-day party held by college students on the coast (Seaside, OR.) Health officials say no safety precautions were observed.
From three college-aged gatherings reported, 42 people are now sick with COVID-19. Public Health’s Jason Davis said contact tracers “are feeling the strain” since each case has an average of 28 contacts and about half of them will be infected too.
“We are starting to pull in additional support and really bolster our efforts in that regard,” Davis said. “But we really ask for our communities’ cooperation and help in keeping these case numbers at a manageable rate.”
As we approach a holiday weekend, Davis reminds that travel is a significant risk factor, responsible for 35% of COVID cases countywide.
There is currently only one Lane County resident hospitalized for COVID-19, a fact Davis calls “remarkable.” He says overall, members of the Latinx population have seen the highest rate of hospitalization during the pandemic. Testing in that community, as well as in under-served, rural areas, continues.
