Nic Calvin, director of Public Health at the Harney County Health Department, wants to remind everyone to continue to wear masks, wash your hands, and maintain social distancing. 

“The county went from moderate risk down to low risk, but we’re not out of this just yet. It could change at any moment,” Calvin said. 

As of March 12, Harney County has had 278 cases and six deaths with a 3.2 percent test positivity. A total of 948 Harney County residents have been fully vaccinated, and 477 have received their first dose, for a total of 1,425.

“So far, we’ve vaccinated about 50 percent of those aged 75 and up, and only 37 percent of those aged 65-74. That age group only became available March 1, so we hope to get more people vaccinated soon,” Calvin said. 

The Health Department has administered a total of 2,035 vaccinations, including for people who came to Harney County to get theirs. 

Calvin said, “We’re receiving around 20 vials a week, with 10 doses in each vial, for a total of 200 doses, and once Johnson & Johnson get going into full production, we should see an increase in the amount we get. People are starting to come to Harney County because of the availability. We’ve seen people from Bend and even Portland come here, but not to worry, we still have enough supply to keep vaccinating Harney County.”

Calvin hopes more people get vaccinated as Group 6 becomes eligible March 29. That group includes:

• adults 45-64 with one ore more underlying health conditions with increased risk. Those underlying health conditions with increased risk, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), include:
— cancer
— chronic kidney disease
— chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
— Down syndrome
— heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
— immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant or HIV
— obesity (BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2)
— pregnancy
— sickle cell disease
— Type 2 diabetes mellitus

• migrant and seasonal farm workers;

• seafood and agricultural workers;

• food-processing workers; and

• people living in low-income senior housing, senior congregate and independent living facilities.

Calvin said, “The Health Department doesn’t want anyone to forgo the vaccine because they’re not getting the correct information about it. We need to continue vaccinating everyone, and if you have any questions or concerns, you can always call us or check our Facebook page to get daily updates. You can also visit our website for information.”

Groups 1 through 5 can call the Health Department at (541) 573-2271 to schedule their vaccination or head down to the next vaccine clinic at the Harney County Fairgrounds Memorial building on March 19.

Group 6 will be able to get their vaccination at the vaccine clinic on April 2.