Snow and icy conditions in parts of Oregon dropped the state’s coronavirus testing and case numbers Monday, with fewer than 200 new cases a day for the first time since Sept. 28.
The significant decrease in new cases is the direct result of a drastic reduction in testing. Civil servants have announced results for less than 5,000 tests, which is about one-third of the typical daily volume in recent weeks.
In all, civil servants reported just 184 new cases and no deaths on Monday.
Similarly, the number of newly administered vaccines is also falling sharply with large vaccination sites in Portland being closed over the weekend due to slippery roads. Government officials have said that less than 6,700 new doses have been given in recent days, equivalent to the reported numbers of about a month ago.
Although conditions in the Portland area are improving rapidly as temperatures warm on Monday, government officials have warned that the dispatch of new doses of the vaccine could be delayed by the federal government.
“Favorable weather and poor travel conditions are expected to delay vaccine loads this week,” the Oregon Health Authority said in a tweet. “OHA will provide updates on the delays as the situation develops.”
Where the new cases are by country: Benton (7), Clackamas (7), Columbia (1), Crook (1), Curry (3), Deschutes (24), Douglas (13), Harney (4), Jackson (6), Jefferson (4), Josephine (4), Klamath (1), Lake (5), Lane (26), Linn (1), Malheur (1), Marion (6), Multnomah (23), Polk (3), Umatilla (3), Union (5), Washington (30), Yamhill (6).
Deaths: Government officials did not report any new deaths.
The incidence of infections: The state reported 185 new positive tests out of 4,926 tests performed, which equates to a 3.8% positivity rate.
Who became infected: Information on confirmed or suspected age group infections is not available as Monday is a holiday.
Who is in the hospital: The state reported 210 Oregonians with confirmed coronavirus infections in the hospital on Monday, three fewer than Sunday. Of these, 53 patients with the coronavirus were in intensive care units, compared to Sunday.
Vaccines: Oregon reported 683,887 doses of vaccine were administered, or about 77% of the doses received. Oregon reported 6,693 new doses, including 3,650 on Sunday and the remainder of previous days.
Since it started: Oregon reported 150,464 confirmed or suspected infections and 2,137 deaths, one of the lowest per capita numbers in the country. To date, the state has reported 3,411,860 laboratory reports of tests.
– Brad Schmidt; [email protected]; 503-294-7628; @_brad_schmidt