The Oregon Health Authority reported 976 new confirmed or suspected cases of coronavirus on Friday and eight more deaths on Friday.
The count came when officials announced that researchers from two universities confirmed the first known cases of the so-called California strain of COVID-19 in Oregon and the additional genomic sequencing showed more evidence of the United Kingdom strain in various parts of the state.
Officials at Oregon State University and Oregon Health & Science University confirmed that their laboratories have detected these strains through genomic sequencing in recent weeks.
Friday also brought more optimistic news, however, with officials saying confirmed cases, hospitalizations and – at least last week – COVID-19-related deaths are declining. In addition, the most recent state modeling shows that if current forecasts hold, the average case rate in mid-February could be 420 cases diagnosed per day.
Where new cases are by county: Baker (2), Benton (27), Clackamas (97), Clatsop (5), Columbia (10), Coos (16), Crook (5), Curry (2), Deschutes (43), Douglas (10), Harney (2), Hood River (5), Jackson (125), Jefferson (16), Josephine (20), Klamath (14), Lake (1), Lane (61), Lincoln (11), Linn (26) , Malheur (10), Marion (82), Morrow (5), Multnomah (143), Polk (27), Sherman (1), Tillamook (3), Umatilla (33), Union (5), Wasco (10) , Washington (135), Wheeler (2) and Yamhill (22).
Who died: Recently reported deaths increased among the following age groups: 60-69 (1); 70-79 (5); 80 and older (2).
The prevalence of infections: On Friday, the state reported 1,770 new positive tests out of 29,072 tests carried out, equivalent to a positive rate of 6%.
Who was infected: New confirmed or presumed infections grew between the following age groups: 0-9 (34); 10-19 (120); 20-29 (217); 30-39 (148); 40-49 (138); 50-59 (127); 60-69 (82); 70-79 (48); 80 and older (33).
Who is in the hospital: The state reported that 288 Oregon residents with confirmed coronavirus infections were currently in the hospital on Friday, three fewer than on Thursday. Of these, 68 patients with coronavirus were in intensive care units, four fewer than on Thursday.
Vaccines administered: Oregon administered 382,374 doses of 614,525 received, more than 62% of its supply.
Since it started: Oregon reported 141,729 confirmed or suspected infections and 1,938 deaths, among the lowest totals in the country. To date, the state has reported 3,162,750 test lab reports.
– Kale Williams; [email protected]; 503-294-4048; @sfkale