The Oregon Health Authority announced 393 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, along with four new deaths, bringing the state’s coronavirus deaths to 2,023. The case count is usually lower on weekends due to delays in reporting.
The new infections identified come as Oregon prepares to open widespread vaccines for people aged 80 and over on Monday.
Oregon will be one of the last states in the country to start vaccinating the elderly after Brown made teachers and other early learning professionals eligible early in the process in an effort to reopen schools. Advocates fear the state does not have a targeted plan to ensure that vulnerable elderly people can be vaccinated.
Despite Governor Kate Brown’s recent claim that all elderly residents were able to get an injection of the coronavirus vaccine, hundreds of nursing homes across the state have yet to receive the first round of the vaccine. More than 1,200 of the state’s 1,400 foster homes for adults have also not signed up for vaccines. Brown’s office later said that she only wanted to refer to nursing homes.
Oregon Health Authority Director Patrick Allen said that after most Oregon residents in the first waves are inoculated, the state could open up eligibility for vaccination to new groups in early April – like other essential workers and people with underlying diseases.
The four deaths announced on Sunday were all among people aged 78 and over.
Where the new cases are by municipality: Baker (1), Benton (8), Clackamas (28), Columbia (3), Coos (11), Crook (5), Curry (9), Deschutes (30), Douglas (10), Harney (2), Hood River (1), Jackson (23), Jefferson (6), Josephine (6), Lake (2), Lane (28), Lincoln (4), Linn (8), Malheur (1), Marion (41) , Morrow (3), Multnomah (63), Polk (16), Umatilla (13), Union (1), Wasco (3), Washington (51) and Yamhill (16).
Who died: The 2,020th death was of an 82-year-old resident of Multnomah County who tested positive on November 19 and died on November 29 at his residence. Sex is being confirmed.
The 2,021st death was an 89-year-old woman from Jackson County who tested positive on January 11 and died on February 4 at her home.
The 2,022th death was a 78-year-old woman from Marion County who tested positive on January 22 and died on February 5 at Salem Hospital.
The 2,023th death was a 93-year-old man from Marion County, who tested positive on January 26 and died on February 5 at Salem Hospital.
Unless noted above, each person who died had underlying health problems or state officials were working to determine whether the person had underlying health problems.
The prevalence of infections: On Saturday, the state registered 466 new positive tests in 12,381 tests performed, which is equivalent to 3.8% positivity.
Who is in the hospital: The state reported that 230 Oregon residents with confirmed coronavirus infections were hospitalized on Sunday, two more than on Saturday. Of these, 53 patients with coronavirus were in intensive care units, one more than on Saturday.
Vaccines administered: Oregon administered 554,145 first and second doses of 734,950 received, which is 75.4% of its supply. Oregon reported 21,694 new doses administered, which include 17,940 on Saturday and the remainder of previous days.
Since it started: Oregon reported 147,122 confirmed or suspected infections and 2,023 deaths, among the lowest per capita numbers in the country. To date, the state has reported more than 3,304,822 test lab reports.
– Jaimie Ding
jding@oregonian.com; 503-221-4395; @j_dingdingding