Jackson County now at ‘high risk,’ according to CDC community level standards
By Bert Etling, Ashland.news
Masking is now required to attend performances at Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the festival announced Friday, after Jackson County ticked up to the high risk level for COVID-19, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention rankings.
At medium and low levels, masks are encouraged but not required, according to OSF policy. The festival also has masked weekends planned regardless of CDC requirements on July 8-10 and Aug. 12-14.
In addition to masking, OSF also requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination and a booster for those eligible, or proof of a negative COVID-19 test. For specifics about these requirements, and for updates to requirements as they change, check OSF’s website for updates.
The state of Oregon’s mask mandate ended in mid-March but several counties recommended wearing masks indoors in late May.
At the high risk level, the CDC recommendations are to: “Wear a mask indoors in public and on public transportation. Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. Get tested if you have symptoms. If you are at high risk for severe illness, consider taking additional precautions.”
Jackson County’s COVID-19 community level as calculated by the CDC is available on its website.
Jackson County’s total number of positive tests for COVID-19 for the week of May 29 through June 4 was 455 cases, an average of 65 per day, the highest weekly total since 772 test-positives in the week of Feb. 13.
The current week’s total was not yet available Friday, but the six-day total for June 5-10 was already at 418.
The county’s weekly case rate hit a recent low of 67 cases for the week of March 27, but has increased slowly but steadily since.
Email Ashland.news Executive Editor Bert Etling at betling@ashland.news or call or text him at 541-631-1313. Ashland.news reporter Holly Dillemuth contributed to this report.
