The Oregon Health Authority reported a record-high 437 new coronavirus cases and two deaths on Thursday. It’s the third consecutive week that state officials reported a record-breaking daily total.
The new high marks the second time state officials have reported a daily case count over 400. The previous daily record was set on Saturday with 409 new cases.
State officials continue to attribute the rapid spread of COVID-19 to social gatherings. New cases have been traced back to graduations, birthday parties and weddings.
“While it is difficult not to celebrate these events as we have in the past,” state officials said in a press release Thursday, “COVID-19 is spreading in our communities and people must think hard about altering daily routines that may put people at risk.”
Most cases continue to be reported among Oregon’s younger population with cases tracing back to exercise classes, a fraternity party and a bachelor party, state officials said.
“Regardless of where you live, the disease is spreading.” Dr. Dean Sidelinger, the state’s epidemiologist, said in a press conference on Thursday. “We need Oregonians to use common sense.”
Where the cases are by county: Benton (4), Clackamas (28), Clatsop (2), Coos (2), Deschutes (28), Douglas (4), Hood River (5), Jackson (8), Jefferson (6), Josephine (1), Klamath (3), Lane (12), Lincoln (3), Linn (4), Malheur (17), Marion (53), Morrow (8), Multnomah (108), Polk (7), Tillamook (2), Umatilla (50), Union (1), Wasco (2), Washington (76), and Yamhill (3).
New fatalities: Oregon’s 248th victim of the coronavirus is a 97-year-old man in Malheur County who had unspecified underlying health conditions, state health officials reported Thursday. He died in his home July 29 after testing positive two weeks before.
A 58-year-old woman in Malheur County is Oregon’s 249th victim of the coronavirus. She died July 13 a week after testing positive. State officials have yet to determine the location of her death and if she had underlying health conditions.
Prevalence of infection: State officials reported 7,133 Oregonians were tested for COVID-19 since yesterday with 401 coming back positive, amounting to a positivity rate of 5.3%.
Who got infected: State officials reported 428 new cases among the following ages: 0-9 (17); 10-19 (48); 20-29 (108); 30-39 (66); 40-49 (63); 50-59 (39); 60-69 (45); 70-79 (16); 80 and older (23); unknown (3).
Who’s in the hospital: State officials reported that 154 Oregonians are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, which is four more than yesterday and the highest total since April. State officials, however, say that hospitalization rates are plateauing after five consecutive weeks of increase. Hundreds of beds and ventilators remain available.
Since it began: State officials reported Thursday that 12,807 people have tested positive for the coronavirus since the pandemic began. In total, 318,244 Oregonians have been tested.