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Jackson County reports 115 new COVID-19 cases, 4 deaths By Vickie Aldous Updated: Sep 17, 2021 05:26 PM A A Forecast predicts drop-off in cases statewide Jackson County reported 115 new COVID-19 cases Friday and 4 more deaths. The people who passed away were a 69-year-old man, a 55-year-old man, a 78-year-old woman and a 95-year-old woman. All four had underlying conditions, the Oregon Healthy Authority said. Statewide, Oregon reported 2,099 new COVID-19 cases and 22 more deaths. The youngest person to die was a 43-year-old man from Lane County with underlying conditions. Deaths also occurred among people in their 50s, 60s, 70s and 90s, according to OHA. The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 stood at 1,002 Friday, which was 25 fewer than Thursday. There were 287 COVID-19 people in intensive care Friday, one more than Thursday, OHA said. Oregon hospitals remain under severe strain from a surge of COVID-19 patients, and an updated forecast released by Oregon Health & Science University continues to show only a slow decline in hospitalizations. Although hospitalizations statewide have been tapering off since a peak of 1,178 patients Sept 1, the forecast shows deaths are at their highest levels — averaging 23 deaths daily, OHSU said. Deaths lag newly diagnosed COVID-19 infections by an average of 23 days, OHSU said. An optimistic model in the forecast predicts new COVID-19 cases will average 830 daily between Sept. 22 and Oct. 5 across Oregon. An alternative scenario that takes into account the reopening of schools and public events predicts an average of 1,060 new daily COVID-19 cases in Oregon during that time period. Public health officials said vaccination remains the most effective tool to slow the spread of COVID-19 and help prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death. Vaccination is free. Asante reported Friday that 90% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in its three Rogue Valley hospitals were unvaccinated, 94% of COVID-19 patients in ICU beds were unvaccinated, and 100% of COVID-19 patients on ventilators were unvaccinated. Over the past 90 days, 84% of COVID-19 patients who died were unvaccinated, Asante said. For information on where to get vaccinated in Jackson County, see jacksoncountyor.org/hhs/COVID-19/Vaccine-Appointments . Reach Mail Tribune reporter Vickie Aldous at 541-776-4486 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @VickieAldous.