The Oregon Health Authority on Friday reported 976 new confirmed or suspected cases of coronavirus and eight more deaths.
The count came when officials announced that researchers from two universities had confirmed the first known cases of the so-called California strain of COVID-19 in Oregon, and that additional genomic sequences showed more evidence of the British strain in various parts of the state. .
Officials from Oregon State University and Oregon Health & Science University have confirmed that their laboratories have been locating the strains for the past few weeks through genomic sequencing.
Friday, however, also brought more optimistic news as officials said confirmed cases, hospitalizations and – at least in the past week – deaths related to COVID-19 are declining. The latest state modeling also shows that, if current forecasts hold, the average fall rate by mid-February could be 420 cases per day.
Where the new cases are by country: Baker (2), Benton (27), Clackamas (97), Clatsop (5), Columbia (10), Coos (16), Crook (5), Curry (2), Deschutes (43), Douglas (10), Harney (2), Hood River (5), Jackson (125), Jefferson (16), Josephine (20), Klamath (14), Lake (1), Lane (61), Lincoln (11), Linn (26) , Malheur (10), Marion (82), Morrow (5), Multnomah (143), Polk (27), Sherman (1), Tillamook (3), Umatilla (33), Union (5), Wasco (10) , Washington (135), Wheeler (2) and Yamhill (22).
Who is dead: Newly reported deaths increased among the following age groups: 60-69 (1); 70-79 (5); 80 and older (2).
The incidence of infections: On Friday, the state reported 1,770 new positive tests out of 29,072 tests performed, which equates to a 6% positivity rate.
Who became infected: New confirmed or suspected infections grew among the following age groups: 0-9 (34); 10-19 (120); 20-29 (217); 30-39 (148); 40-49 (138); 50-59 (127); 60-69 (82); 70-79 (48); 80 and older (33).
Who is in the hospital: The state reported that 288 Oregonians with confirmed coronavirus infections were currently in the hospital, three less than Thursday. Of these, 68 coronavirus patients were in intensive care units, four less than on Thursday.
Vaccines administered: Oregon administered 382,374 doses out of 614,525 receipts, more than 62% of its supply.
Since it started: Oregon reported 141,729 confirmed or suspected infections and 1,938 deaths, one of the lowest totals in the country. To date, the state has reported 3,162,750 laboratory reports of tests.
– Kale Williams; [email protected]; 503-294-4048; @sfkale