The Oregon Health Authority announced 365 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, along with three new deaths, increasing the state’s number of coronavirus deaths to 2,322.
The figures come at a time when Governor Kate Brown chose not to accelerate Oregon’s current vaccine schedule in response to President Joe Biden’s directive for states to make all adults eligible for the vaccine by May 1.
Brown is adhering to the plan to start vaccinating the general population of Oregon residents aged 16 and over by July 1 – two months after what Biden now says is possible across the country. But Brown said he wants weekly federal vaccine shipments from Oregon to increase before making any promises to residents.
The next group of Oregon residents to qualify for the vaccine is people aged 45 and over who have underlying diseases “at increased risk,” such as pregnancy, type 2 diabetes and cancer.
Meanwhile, Oregon reported fewer cases of coronavirus in the past week than at any time since September. But, unfortunately, the cases are not continuing their downward trajectory.
The cases are increasing again – something that state officials recognized was possible with easing restrictions on business and the circulation of more contagious variants of the virus. The state appears to be on track to overcome last week’s low when the current week’s figures are released.
Where new cases are by county: Baker (2), Benton (2), Clackamas (46), Clatsop (4), Columbia (1), Coos (15), Curry (5), Deschutes (15), Douglas (13), Grant (3) , Jackson (30), Josephine (23), Klamath (15), Lane (12), Lincoln (2), Linn (5), Malheur (2), Marion (31), Multnomah (59), Polk (5) , Tillamook (5), Umatilla (10), Union (6), Wasco (2), Washington (47), Wheeler (1) and Yamhill (4).
Who died: The 2320th death of COVID-19 in Oregon was an 89-year-old man from Clackamas County who tested positive on March 11 and died on March 12 at Providence Portland Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.
2,321 died of a 68-year-old man from Lane County who tested positive on January 24 and died on March 10 at the PeaceHealth Sacred Heart. He had underlying conditions.
The 2,322th death came from a 95-year-old man from Multnomah County who became symptomatic after contact with a confirmed case and died on March 1 at his home. The date of onset of symptoms and the presence of underlying diseases are being confirmed.
The prevalence of infections: On Saturday, the state reported 515 new positive tests among 14,454 tests carried out, equivalent to 3.6% positivity.
Who is in the hospital: The state reported that 104 Oregon residents with confirmed coronavirus infections were hospitalized on Saturday, 19 fewer than on Friday. Of those, 23 patients with coronavirus were in intensive care units – a number that has not changed since Friday.
Vaccines administered: Oregon administered 1,301,968 first and second vaccine doses of 1,575,705 received, which is about 82.6% of the state’s supply. Oregon reported 32,429 new doses administered, which include 18,556 on Friday and the remainder of previous days.
Since it started: Oregon reported 159,392 confirmed or suspected infections and 2,322 deaths, among the lowest per capita numbers in the country. To date, the state has reported more than 3,953,338 test lab reports.
– Jaimie Ding
[email protected]; 503-221-4395; @j_dingdingding