The Oregon health authority reported 392 cases of coronavirus and another 32 deaths on Thursday, indicating the second day in a row with a remarkably high death rate.
Government officials did not immediately release details of the deaths. But more than half of the 27 deaths announced Wednesday were from mid-February or earlier, indicating that Oregon does not see a sudden revival of daily deaths.
In February, the fourth most deaths in any month were from the pandemic, but the death toll is significantly lower than that of November, January and December’s record of nearly 600.
Cases in Oregon average just over 300 a day. Businesses have not been so low since the beginning of October – and the daily average is now lower than the summer peak.
Encouraged by the progress, Gov. Kate Brown announced Thursday that she would not immediately ban indoor eateries for backward-sliding provinces. Instead, she will offer a two-week extension to improve the rate before bans take effect.
Where the new cases are by country: Baker (3), Benton (8), Clackamas (24), Clatsop (1), Columbia (3), Coos (21), Crook (4), Curry (2), Deschutes (26), Douglas (23), Grant (2), Hood River (1), Jackson (37), Jefferson (10), Josephine (23), Klamath (7), Lake (4), Lane (18), Lincoln (1), Linn (8) , Malheur (1), Marion (38), Morrow (1), Multnomah (52), Polk (6), Tillamook (1), Umatilla (18), Union (8), Wallowa (1), Washington (34) and Yamhill (6).
Who died: Government officials did not immediately release details of the 32 deaths associated with COVID-19.
The incidence of infections: The state reported 847 new positive tests out of 10,629 tests performed, which equates to an 8% positivity test.
Who became infected: New confirmed or suspected infections grew among the following age groups: 0-9 (14); 10-19 (41); 20-29 (73); 30-39 (66); 40-49 (65); 50-59 (49); 60-69 (35); 70-79 (24); 80 and older (13).
Who is in the hospital: The state reported 140 people with confirmed coronavirus infections in the hospital, unchanged as of Wednesday. Of these, 29 coronavirus patients are in intensive care units, less than on Wednesday.
Vaccines: Oregon reported that 1,433,609 doses of vaccine were administered, or approximately 78% of the doses received. Oregon reported 24,014 newly administered doses, including 16,376 on Wednesday and the remainder of previous days.
Since it started: Oregon reported 156,673 confirmed or suspected infections and 2,284 deaths, one of the lowest per capita numbers in the country. To date, the state has reported 3,798,067 laboratory reports of tests.
– Brad Schmidt; [email protected]; 503-294-7628; @_brad_schmidt