Oregon on Thursday topped 200,000 identified coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic as state officials reported 21 deaths amid fallout from the spring surge.
The deaths announced Thursday are the most reported in a single day in nearly two months – and follow news that a 15-year-old boy from Marion County became the state’s second-youngest victim.
The Oregon Health Authority did not immediately release details of the fatalities announced Thursday but the high count is likely due in part to deaths from recent weeks or months that took time to identify as linked to COVID-19.
Officials announced 11 deaths Wednesday, for example, but did not release details of each until Thursday. Of those fatalities, one Oregonian died in March, six in April and four in May – including the 15-year-old, who had undisclosed underlying health conditions.
Deaths have plummeted since the winter highs, when nearly 600 Oregonians died in December. But May is on pace to exceed the fatality tolls from March and April, as deaths trail the spring surge in cases and hospitalizations.
The Oregon Health Authority on Thursday also reported 433 new confirmed or presumed infections, pushing Oregon past 200,000 total cases.
“As we head into the Memorial Day holiday weekend, this milestone is a grim reminder that while case counts are decreasing statewide in large part due to vaccination, there remains a risk of COVID-19 in Oregon, especially for those who are not yet vaccinated,” the authority’s director, Patrick Allen, said in a statement.
“I urge caution for Oregonians who are not yet vaccinated,” he added. “You are still at risk of infection and should wear a mask indoors and practice physical distance precautions.”
Vaccines: Oregon reported 29,611 newly administered doses, which includes 16,348 Wednesday and the remainder from previous days.
Where the new cases are by county: Baker (2), Benton (3), Clackamas (50), Clatsop (1), Columbia (8), Coos (4), Crook (4), Deschutes (41), Douglas (24), Harney (2), Hood River (1), Jackson (22), Jefferson (3), Josephine (12), Klamath (13), Lane (17), Linn (23), Malheur (4), Marion (54), Morrow (5), Multnomah (64), Polk (4), Tillamook (1), Umatilla (17), Union (1), Wasco (1), Washington (38) and Yamhill (14).
Who died: The state did not immediately disclose details of the 21 fatalities.
Hospitalizations: 256 people with confirmed cases of COVID-19 are hospitalized, down 17 from Wednesday. That includes 68 people in intensive care, down nine from Wednesday.
Since it began: Oregon has reported 200,210 confirmed or presumed infections and 2,660 deaths, among the lowest per capita numbers in the nation. To date, the state has reported 3,867,274 vaccine doses administered, fully vaccinating 1,790,838 people and partially vaccinating 415,617 people.
To see more data and trends, visit projects.oregonlive.com/coronavirus/
-- Brad Schmidt; [email protected]; 503-294-7628; @_brad_schmidt
