Oregon officials announced another 794 confirmed and presumed cases of the coronavirus in Oregon on Saturday, as well as three new deaths.
The latest numbers come after Gov. Kate Brown on Friday defended her decision to enact “extreme risk” COVID-19 restrictions across 15 counties — encompassing nearly 70% of Oregon’s population — saying acting now will end up preventing more misery as a fourth surge batters the state.
“I was presented with data showing two paths that Oregon could take: One in which we took no additional action and stood by while more people die from this disease,” Brown said during a live-streamed news conference Friday. “Or another that required a temporary tightening of restrictions for certain counties but could save hundreds of lives and prevent as many as 450 hospitalizations over the next three weeks. As your governor, I chose to save lives.”
Vaccines: Oregon reported 40,318 newly administered doses, which includes 28,021 Friday. It also includes 12,297 that were administered on previous days but entered into the vaccine registry on Friday.
Where the new cases are by county: Baker (4), Benton (10), Clackamas (96), Clatsop (7), Columbia (15), Coos (4), Crook (6), Deschutes (88), Douglas (9), Grant (2), Harney (2), Hood River (2), Jackson (33), Jefferson (5), Josephine (9), Klamath (55), Lake (2), Lane (66), Lincoln (8), Linn (38), Malheur (5), Marion (60), Multnomah (115), Polk (5), Tillamook (1), Umatilla (9), Union (3), Wallowa (3), Wasco (4), Washington (106), Yamhill (22).
Who died: Oregon’s 2,496th death is a 70-year-old Jackson County man who tested positive April 25 and died April 29 at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center.
Oregon’s 2,497th death is a 43-year-old Linn County woman who tested positive March 29 and died April 27 at Albany General Hospital.
Oregon’s 2,498th death is an 81-year-old Malheur County woman who tested positive Nov. 30 and died March 6 at her home.
Each person had underlying health conditions or state officials were working to determine if the person had underlying medical conditions.
Hospitalizations: 331 people with confirmed cases of COVID-19 are hospitalized, down three from Friday. That includes 71 people in intensive care, down four from Friday.
Since it began: Oregon has reported 185,597 confirmed or presumed infections and 2,498 deaths, among the lowest per capita numbers in the nation. To date, the state has reported 3,023,578 vaccine doses administered.
— The Oregonian/OregonLive