The Oregon Health Authority reported 473 new cases of coronavirus and five more deaths on Wednesday.
According to most indicators, Oregon has fallen past the winter boom and is reporting its lowest numbers since October.
The state has averaged less than 400 cases a day in the past week. The rate of positive tests during that period was only 3.3%. Active hospitalizations are now under 200 nationwide. And deaths, which detect infections, are also declining.
Government Kate Brown last week eased some business restrictions in the metro area due to improved statistics. But state health officials have warned that things could escalate again, not only because of the changes, but also because of more contagious variants circulating in silence.
Where the new cases are by country: Baker (5), Benton (7), Clackamas (17), Clatsop (2), Columbia (3), Coos (10), Crook (2), Deschutes (50), Douglas (40), Grant (1), Harney (9), Hood River (6), Jackson (52), Jefferson (10), Josephine (13), Klamath (5), Lake (6), Lane (39), Lincoln (2), Linn (10) , Malheur (15), Marion (25), Morrow (2), Multnomah (55), Polk (14), Tillamook (5), Umatilla (11), Union (8), Wallowa (2), Wasco (1) , Washington (27) and Yamhill (19).
Who died: Oregon’s 2,139th death, linked to COVID-19, is a 72-year-old man from Jackson County who tested positive on Jan. 26 and died Feb. 14 at Asante Rogue Valley Regional Medical Center.
The 2140 death is a 76-year-old man from Lincoln County who tested positive on January 28 and died on February 15 at Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital.
Oregon’s 2,141st death is an 89-year-old woman in Marion County who tested positive on Jan. 15 and died Feb. 12 in her home.
The 2142 deaths is a 53-year-old woman in Multnomah County who tested positive on January 20 and died on February 15 at the Legacy Emanuel Medical Center.
Oregon’s 2,143-year-old death is an 88-year-old man in Washington County who became symptomatic on February 3 after contact with a confirmed case and died on February 12 in his residence.
Each person had underlying health conditions.
The incidence of infections: The state reported 372 new positive tests out of 11,926 tests performed, which equates to a 3.1% positivity test.
Who became infected: New confirmed or suspected infections grew among the following age groups: 0-9 (30); 10-19 (56); 20-29 (65); 30-39 (41); 40-49 (60); 50-59 (61); 60-69 (33); 70-79 (19); 80 and older (18).
Who is in the hospital: The state reported 190 Oregonians with confirmed coronavirus infections in hospital Wednesday, five less than Tuesday. Of these, 44 coronavirus patients are in intensive care units, less than on Tuesday.
Vaccines: Oregon reported that 707,244 doses of vaccine were administered, or approximately 77% of the doses received. Oregon reported 15,790 recently administered doses, including 10,653 Tuesday and the remainder of previous days.
Since it started: Oregon reported 151,257 confirmed or suspected infections and 2,143 deaths, one of the lowest per capita numbers in the country. To date, the state has reported 3,431,911 laboratory reports of tests.
– Brad Schmidt; [email protected]; 503-294-7628; @_brad_schmidt