By Sara Cline, Associated Press / Report for America
PORTLAND – Governor Kate Brown on Thursday extended Oregon’s state of emergency declaration until May 2, as confirmed cases of COVID-19 have dropped, but hundreds of new cases continue to be reported daily.
“During the pandemic, Oregon residents made smart choices that protected our families and loved ones,” said Brown. “Our infection and mortality rates have consistently remained among the lowest in the country. And for the first time, the COVID-19 intensive care units are serving fewer and fewer patients. “
The Oregon Health Authority reported 553 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Thursday, bringing the state total to 154,554. The death toll in the state is 2,204.
The agency’s weekly COVID-19 report, which was released on Wednesday, shows a sharp drop in daily cases, hospitalizations and deaths from the previous week.
The health authority reported a 35% reduction in cases and a 42% reduction in hospitalizations.
The emergency declaration is the legal basis for the executive orders that the governor issued, including his orders about the reopening of Oregon, day care centers, schools and higher education operations. The extension of the state of emergency declaration allows these orders to remain in effect. The governor reviews and reevaluates each of his emergency orders every 60 days.
Brown declared an emergency statement for the first time in March, when there were 14 known cases of COVID-19 in the state.
“As we vaccinate thousands of Oregon residents each day and reopen more school buildings and businesses as safely as possible, now is not the time to let our guard down. New and more infectious variants of COVID-19 are circulating in the United States, including several confirmed cases in Oregon. “
Oregon’s Republican senators refused to attend Thursday’s plenary session, objecting to the governor’s restrictions on COVID-19 and the treatment of school reopening, vaccine launches and economic recovery.
In a statement by Senate Republicans, lawmakers said: “Despite the decline in the case count, today you have extended your emergency statement, further squeezing Oregon residents. The legislature cannot do its job to help Oregon residents recover when people are unable to return to work because of orders that require small businesses to remain closed. “
As the case count improved, the governor announced that 16 counties, including Marion County, where the Capitol is located, will move to lower risk levels – allowing for more capacity for indoor dining and academies. The new risk levels take effect on Friday.
Five counties – Benton, Coos, Douglas, Jefferson and Josephine – remain at the “extreme risk” level, which prohibits indoor dining.
“For the second time in a row, we are seeing great progress in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in Oregon and saving lives,” said Brown.
The Oregon Health Authority also reported that 22,841 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations were added to the state’s immunization registry.
A cumulative total of 881,206 first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccines were administered to Oregonians.
This week, vaccine eligibility was opened to people aged 70 and over. As of Monday, people aged 65 and over will be eligible for vaccines.