The Oregon Health Authority reported on Wednesday 473 new cases of coronavirus and five more deaths.
By most indicators, Oregon has surpassed the peak of winter cases and is reporting its lowest numbers since October.
The state averaged less than 400 cases a day last week. The rate of positive tests during this period was only 3.3%. Active hospitalizations are now below 200 across the state. And deaths, which accompany infections, are also decreasing.
Governor Kate Brown relaxed some restrictions on business in the metropolitan area last week because of improved metrics. But state health officials have warned that cases may rise again, not only as a result of these changes, but also because of more contagious variants circulating silently.
Where the new cases are by municipality: 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 COVID-19 death is from a 72-year-old man from Jackson County who tested positive on January 26 and died on February 14 at the Asante Rogue Valley Regional Medical Center.
The death of 2,140 is a 76-year-old man from Lincoln County who tested positive on January 28 and died on February 15 at the Samaritan Pacific Community Hospital.
Oregon’s 2,141st death was an 89-year-old woman from Marion County who tested positive on January 15 and died on February 12 at her home.
The 2,142th fatality is a 53-year-old woman from Multnomah County who tested positive on January 20 and died on February 15 at the Legacy Emanuel Medical Center.
Oregon’s 2,143th death is that of an 88-year-old man from Washington County who became symptomatic on February 3 after contact with a confirmed case and died on February 12 at his home.
Each person had underlying health problems.
The prevalence of infections: The state reported 372 new positive tests out of 11,926 tests performed, equaling a positivity rate of 3.1%.
Who was infected: New confirmed or presumed infections grew between 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 Oregon residents with confirmed coronavirus infections at the hospital on Wednesday, five fewer than on Tuesday. Of those, 44 patients with coronavirus are in intensive care units, seven fewer than on Tuesday.
Vaccines: Oregon reported that 707,244 doses of the vaccine were administered, or about 77% of the doses received. Oregon reported 15,790 new doses administered, which include 10,653 on Tuesday and the remainder of previous days.
Since it started: Oregon reported 151,257 confirmed or suspected infections and 2,143 deaths, among the lowest per capita numbers in the country. To date, the state has reported 3,431,911 test lab reports.
– Brad Schmidt; [email protected]; 503-294-7628; @_brad_schmidt