EUGENE, Oregon. – An outbreak of COVID-19 at a long-term care center in Eugene has infected 32 people and caused one death, according to Lane County public health officials.
The South Hills Rehabilitation Center has had 22 people who tested positive in the last seven days. LCPH said the source of the spread comes from an unvaccinated employee.
Jason Davis of Lane County Public Health said 88% of South Hills residents are fully vaccinated, while 64% of staff are fully vaccinated.
“Sixty-four percent is still lower than we would need to prevent transmission to staff,” Davis said, “the eighty-eight [percent] is a satisfactory number in general populations, but in long-term care facilities. When this is combined with the staff vaccination rate at a lower term, it still allows for this widespread transmission. ”
He also said they see more advanced cases in older populations.
This is one of 39 current outbreaks of COVID in long-term care centers in Lane County, consisting of a total of 350 cases.
Bayberry Commons has reported 13 cases and one death.
Gateway Living has reported 81 cases and 6 deaths.
River Road Memory Care has reported 17 cases and 3 deaths.
Avamere has reported 12 cases and 1 death.