The Oregon Health Authority reported on Wednesday 704 new confirmed or suspected cases of coronavirus and a further 24 deaths, marking the fourth consecutive day with less than 800 cases.
The spread appears to be narrowing, with test numbers remaining relatively stable last week and test positivity rates dropping to levels not seen since early November. Oregon averaged 862 cases a day last week, the lowest state average since Nov. 11.
Active hospitalizations have also been declining for more than a month, equaling mid-November counts.
Deaths, which follow cases and hospitalizations, have also dropped from December records – but remain much higher than almost every other month. The death count reported Wednesday ended a three-day series of fatalities in the single digits.
Where the new cases are by municipality: Baker (3), Benton (21), Clackamas (36), Clatsop (6), Coos (12), Crook (7), Deschutes (38), Douglas (17), Harney (3), Hood River (6) , Jackson (38), Jefferson (7), Josephine (15), Klamath (16), Lake (4), Lane (53), Lincoln (4), Linn (26), Malheur (29), Marion (83) , Morrow (4), Multnomah (99), Polk (22), Tillamook (2), Umatilla (53), Union (7), Wallowa (1), Wasco (6), Washington (60) and Yamhill (26) .
New deaths: The health authority did not release the demographic details of the 24 new deaths reported on Wednesday, but said it would provide an update later in the day.
The prevalence of infections: The state reported 809 new positive tests out of 15,950 tests performed, equaling a positive rate of 5.1%.
Who was infected: New confirmed or presumed infections grew between the following age groups: 0-9 (14); 10-19 (82); 20-29 (134); 30-39 (98); 40-49 (108); 50-59 (82); 60-69 (79); 70-79 (35); 80 and older (44).
Who is in the hospital: The state reported that 336 Oregon residents with confirmed coronavirus infections were currently in the hospital on Wednesday, eight more than on Tuesday. Of these, 90 coronavirus patients were in intensive care units, two less than on Tuesday.
Vaccines administered: Oregon administered 238,760 doses of 436,250 received, just under 55% of its supply.
Since it started: Oregon reported 135,142 confirmed or suspected infections and 1,832 deaths, among the lowest totals in the country. To date, the state has reported 3,003,213 test lab reports.
– Kale Williams; [email protected]; 503-294-4048; @sfkale