The Oregon Health Authority on Wednesday reported 195 new coronavirus cases and two more deaths as the state announced the launch of an early detection system to monitor spread through sewage.
Researchers at Oregon State University have been awarded a $1.2 million grant from the state to monitor wastewater for coronavirus for 30 months at 43 locations outside the Portland metro area.
“This program holds promise to help us monitor COVID-19 in our communities,” Dr. Melissa Sutton, medical director for respiratory viral pathogens for the state, said in a news release. “We look forward to our partnership with local communities and researchers. Together we hope to better understand the spread of COVID-19 in Oregon.”
Where the new cases are by county: Benton (1), Clackamas (10), Clatsop (2), Coos (2), Deschutes (4), Douglas (2), Hood River (1), Jackson (15), Jefferson (5), Klamath (14), Lane (15), Linn (1), Malheur (17), Marion (23), Multnomah (32), Polk (3), Umatilla (2), Union (1), Wallowa (6), Wasco (2), Washington (33) and Yamhill (4).
New fatalities: Oregon’s 520th death linked to coronavirus is a 70-year-old Washington County man who did not have underlying medical conditions. He tested positive July 9 and died Sept. 8 at OHSU Hospital.
The 521st fatality is a 79-year-old Multnomah County man with underlying health conditions. He tested positive Aug. 4 and died Sept. 10 at his residence.
The prevalence of infections: State officials reported 176 new confirmed infections out of 3,197 people tested, equaling a 5.5% positivity rate.
Who got infected: New confirmed or presumed infections grew among the following age groups: 0-9 (16); 10-19 (19); 20-29 (39); 30-39 (28); 40-49 (26); 50-59 (23); 60-69 (15); 70-79 (10); 80 and older (11).
Who’s in the hospital: The state Wednesday reported 114 Oregonians with confirmed coronavirus infections are currently in the hospital, up eight from Tuesday. Oregon remains well below its capacity, with hundreds of hospital beds and ventilators available.
Since it began: Oregon has reported 29,850 confirmed or presumed infections and 521 deaths, among the lowest totals in the nation. To date, 619,822 Oregonians have been tested.
— Brad Schmidt; bschmidt@oregonian.com; 503-294-7628; @_brad_schmidt