(Update: Add weekly report; deaths, cases, hospitalizations increase; Western Workgroup recommends Johnson & Johnson vaccine as safe and effective))
PORTLAND, Oregon. (KTVZ) – There are 27 new COVID-19-related deaths in Oregon, increasing the death toll in the state to 2,252, the Oregon Health Authority reported on Wednesday.
The OHA also reported 276 new confirmed and presumed cases of COVID-19 at 00:01 on Wednesday, bringing the state total to 156,287.
Observation: A large volume of overdue electronic laboratory reports (ELRs) was received on Tuesday. As a result, Wednesday’s test scores are higher than expected. The test results were from 1 January to 1 March. Approximately 99% of the test results were negative and Wednesday’s percentage of positivity is lower than expected.
Oregon reaches milestone: 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered
OHA registered more than 1 million vaccines administered to Oregon residents on Wednesday. There were 22,346 doses registered on Tuesday, bringing the total number of doses administered in the state to 1,019,767. The first dose was administered on December 14, less than three months ago.
About one in five Oregon residents who are likely to be eligible received at least one dose.
The vaccine was delivered in all Oregon counties, long-term and residential care centers, foster homes for adults, homes for the disabled, hospitals, mass vaccination events, mobile events, clinics, tribal health centers, homes collectives, congregated care settings, pharmacies, outpatient clinics, health centers qualified by the federal government and other locations across the state.
Oregon has administered a cumulative total of 1,019,767 first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccines. To date, 1,310,175 doses of the vaccine have been delivered to locations across Oregon.
“This could not happen without the partnerships that were strengthened and developed to bring Oregon closer to community immunity, and the thousands of providers, volunteers, nurses and countless other Oregon residents who made it happen,” said the OHA Director Patrick Allen. “Every day, we deliver more than 22,000 doses of vaccine that will bring us to the end of this difficult journey for so many.
“Our ability to meet our schedules to open up scheduling opportunities for additional groups will still require an adequate and consistent supply of doses from the federal government, a large number of Oregon residents who can and want to be vaccinated, and the ability of our vaccination sites to immunize all eligible people. “
The St. Charles Health System gave 27,447 COVID-19 vaccinations on Wednesday.
As Oregon continues to distribute the vaccine, OHA encourages all Oregon residents to continue taking protective measures to help keep themselves, families, co-workers, loved ones, friends and communities safe and healthy. They continue to recommend that all Oregon residents:
- Keep 6 feet of physical distance;
- Use a face cover when you’re out and about;
- Practice good hand hygiene;
- Avoid any meetings with non-family members;
- If you start to have symptoms – even mild ones – see a doctor quickly for instructions on how to care for yourself and your family and to determine whether to get tested;
- And finally, if you get a call from a local public health authority, take and follow the advice on how to protect yourself and the people around you.
COVID-19 Hospitalizations
The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 across Oregon is 140, nine fewer than on Tuesday. There are 31 patients with COVID-19 in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, that is, two more than Tuesday.
The total number of patients in hospital beds may fluctuate between reporting times. The figures do not reflect hospitalizations per day, nor the length of hospital stay. Personnel limitations are not captured in this data and can further limit the capacity of beds.
St. Charles Bend had 14 patients with COVID-19 by 4 am on Wednesday, one of whom was in the ICU and on a ventilator.
More information about the hospital’s capacity can be found here.
Cases and deaths
Details of the deaths reported on Wednesday will be published later.
The new confirmed and presumed COVID-19 cases reported on Wednesday are in the following counties: Baker (2), Benton (3), Clackamas (20), Clatsop (2), Columbia (3), Coos (24), Deschutes (10), Douglas (22), Grant (2), Harney (2), Jackson (47), Jefferson (5), Josephine (5), Klamath (2), Lane (15), Linn (4), Malheur (2), Marion (28), Multnomah (26), Polk (4), Tillamook (4), Umatilla (7), Union (10), Washington (25) and Yamhill (2).
Weekly cases of COVID-19, hospitalizations, increased deaths
The Oregon Health Authority’s COVID-19 Weekly Report, released today, shows increases in daily cases, hospitalizations and deaths over the previous week.
The OHA reported 2,652 new daily cases of COVID-19 during the week from Monday, February 22, to Sunday, February 28 – an increase of 17% over the previous week.
New COVID-19-related hospitalizations also increased to 164, from 159 the previous week.
COVID-19-related deaths reported have also increased to 57, compared to 17 last week. This represents the lowest total since mid-November.
There were 120,678 tests for COVID-19 for the week from February 21 to February 27, a marked increase from the previous week. The previous week’s total was probably affected by the harsh winter event that occurred across the region.
Approximately 117,000 tests were administered weekly earlier this year. The percentage of positive tests was 3.7%.
People aged 70 and over were responsible for 40% of hospitalizations associated with COVID-19 and 77% of deaths associated with COVID-19.
Friday’s COVID-19 Weekly Outbreak Report shows 56 active outbreaks of COVID-19 in elderly communities and living environments, with three or more confirmed cases and one or more COVID-19-related deaths.
Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines
To learn more about the status of the COVID-19 vaccine in Oregon, visit the OHA website, which contains an analysis of distribution and other useful information.
Press release from Governor Kate Brown’s office:
Western States Scientific’s Scientific Review Working Group Recommends Johnson & Johnson Vaccine, Confirms it is Safe and Effective
Working group “Unanimously recommends that Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine be used in our states”
Endorses the transparency and objectivity of the process, and the rigor, validity and reliability of federal analyzes
J&J becomes the third vaccine supported for use by the Working Group; vaccine shipments are coming this week
(Salem, OR) – Western States’ scientific review working group concluded its review of the federal case last night and concluded that Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine (Janssen Biotech) is safe and effective for use in western states . The Working Group provided confirmation to the governors of California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington this morning, making the J&J vaccine the third COVID-19 vaccine supported for use in those states. Shipments are expected earlier this week.
Washington, Oregon and Nevada joined California’s Scientific Security Review Working Group COVID-19 in October. The working group, made up of nationally acclaimed scientists with experience in immunization and public health, simultaneously and independently reviewed FDA actions related to COVID-19 vaccinations. It will continue to evaluate other COVID-19 vaccines as they pass through the federal process.
Statement by Governor Kate Brown:
“After a thorough scientific review by doctors and health experts, we now have three safe and effective vaccines available for Oregon residents. And, as the Johnson & Johnson vaccine can be stored in standard refrigerators and vaccinate individuals in a single dose. , it gives us the ability to vaccinate even more people. We will work to distribute vaccines as quickly and equally as possible as we move forward to vaccinate the elderly, people with underlying health problems, frontline employees and all Oregon residents. “
Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak’s statement:
“With the review of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine, the Western States Scientific Review Working Group has met again to ensure that we have a safe and effective vaccine available to our residents. The review of this vaccine should provide Nevadans added confidence to say ‘yes’ to any of the three vaccines offered.
“The availability of the COVID-19 vaccine is crucial as we continue our response and efforts to protect the health of our communities and our state. I am very proud of the work being done at vaccination sites across the state – almost 670,000 doses administered – and I offer my gratitude and thanks to all those who work for their fellow Nevadans.
“The Johnson & Johnson vaccine gives us additional flexibility as we strive to reach all Nevadans. This vaccine is easy to use, ship and store, which will help our partners in their mission to reach all of our residents. Thanks to my colleagues governors for sharing their experience while we all work to slow the spread of COVID-19. “
Statement by the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom:
“With the authorization of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 single dose vaccine, we now have three notable vaccines that offer 100 percent protection against death and hospitalizations. We have administered 9.3 million vaccines in California so far and we are building a system that will allow us to vaccinate people as soon as the supply is available. There is really a light at the end of the tunnel. “
Washington Governor Jay Inslee’s statement:
“Western States’ scientific review working group gives us more confidence regarding the safety and efficacy of Johnson and Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine. With the delivery of the J & J vaccine this week, and an overall increase in the number of doses of vaccine arriving in Washington, we have increased our ability to bring the vaccine to all parts of the state. We are making good progress in vaccination rates and this third vaccine will help in our efforts to vaccinate as many people as quickly as possible. “