Oregon Reports Another Record Daily COVID Cases | Oregon News

By SARA CLINE, Associated Press / Report for America

PORTLAND, Oregon (AP) – For the fourth day in a row Oregon shattered previous high scores for daily COVID-19 cases, with health officials reporting 7,615 new cases on Thursday.

Before the first confirmed cases of the omicron variant were reported in Oregon in mid-December, the state’s record for single-day cases was 3,207 in August. Since then, the high score has more than doubled.

Health officials in some of Oregon’s largest counties – including Mutnomah, where Portland is located – warned Thursday that the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations would likely continue to rise over the next few weeks .

“I suspect we are all going to feel the pressure from the omicron spreading rapidly in our communities and the people who call the sick,” said Dr. Jennifer Vines, Multnomah County health officer. “It’s going to disrupt hospitals, daycares, businesses and public services because people stay home when they are sick.

Over the past week, Oregon has recorded an average of 4,001 cases per day, a 162% increase since last Thursday. The infections, fueled by the highly contagious but less virulent omicron variant, have spread exponentially since Christmas. However, Oregon continues to report some of the lowest case rates nationwide during the new wave.

As of Thursday, nearly a quarter of state-reported COVID-19 tests were positive for the virus.

Hospitals also reported for the first time the largest single-day increase in weeks, with 588 people treated who tested positive, a peak of 12% since Wednesday.

There are currently only 42 beds available in adult intensive care units, and 95% of non-ICU adult beds with government personnel are full.

“Unfortunately, after several weeks of slowly declining hospitals after the delta surge, we’re just starting to see or hear about an increase in hospital admissions,” Vines said. “This is concerning, given that our hospitals and healthcare systems are already under intense pressure. “

In Multnomah County, Vines said EMS calls were up 40% from usual average volume and that at least one major Portland-area emergency department – which was not identified by his name – was “physically short of space” yesterday afternoon.

“I think most of us will experience omicron and most of us will have mild or no symptoms,” Vines said. “Some of us, relatively few of us, can get serious illness from Omicron. And the way the virus spreads – so quickly – means it can very easily find the people who will be most at risk for serious illness. “

Unlike previous waves, the rate of case growth has far exceeded COVID-related hospitalizations. However, local scientists estimate that around 1,650 coronavirus patients will be hospitalized statewide during the peak expected in late January, which would exceed the increase in the delta.

Cline is a member of the Associated Press / Report for America Statehouse News Initiative Corps. Report for America is a national, nonprofit service program that places reporters in local newsrooms to cover undercover issues.

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