The Oregon Health Authority on Thursday reported five COVID-19 deaths and 678 new cases, the highest daily number in more than two months.
Oregon has averaged 467 cases per day in the past week. This is 50% higher than two weeks ago and is almost double the average daily case load reported a month ago.
Thursday’s score was the best for Oregon since Feb. 5, when the health agency announced 846 confirmed or suspected cases. The test positivity rate associated with Thursday’s cases was 4.8%, just below the 5% used by officials to determine whether more screening is needed to keep up with the spread of infections.
Government officials have warned that a new wave is on the doorstep of Oregon. But the increase in cases, though pronounced, does not yet match the striking upward trajectory seen last fall.
Modeling launched by Oregon Health & Science University last week indicated that by May, the state could see about 1,000 coronavirus cases per day. But infections could drop rapidly by the middle of the month, fueled by the growing number of Oregonians being vaccinated against COVID-19.
Oregon is expected to set records for vaccination levels this week and next week, especially thanks to the arrival of nearly 125,000 doses of the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Vaccines: Oregon reported 50,429 doses just administered, including 27,783 on Wednesday and the remainder of previous days.
Where the new cases are by country: Baker (4), Benton (4), Clackamas (65), Clatsop (6), Columbia (10), Coos (7), Crook (4), Curry (3), Deschutes (47), Douglas (14), Gilliam (1), Grant (7), Hood River (5), Jackson (88), Jefferson (5), Josephine (27), Klamath (42), Lane (47), Lincoln (8), Linn (18) , Malheur (1), Marion (48), Morrow (1), Multnomah (108), Polk (14), Tillamook (8), Umatilla (6), Union (1), Wasco (1), Washington (69) and Yamhill (9).
Who is dead: Government officials did not immediately release details of the five deaths.
Hospitalizations: 168 people with confirmed cases of COVID-19 are admitted to hospital, which is less than Wednesday. That includes 38 people in intensive care, less than Wednesday.
Since it started: Oregon reported 168,795 confirmed or suspected infections and 2,439 deaths, one of the lowest per capita numbers in the country. To date, the state has administered 2117,703 doses of vaccines.
– Brad Schmidt; [email protected]; 503-294-7628; @_brad_schmidt