Oregon reports 7,615 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 9 new deaths
PORTLAND, Ore. — There are nine new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 5,728, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reported at 12:01 a.m. Thursday. OHA reported 7,615 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. Thursday, bringing the state total to 449,267.
OHA updates vaccine metrics dashboard
OHA’s Vaccination Metrics dashboard is updated today to include: Tracking people eligible for a booster, if they haven’t received one yet, and showing when they are eligible. Seven-day running averages for people initiating with one dose and people who have received a booster dose to monitor uptake; the information will also be available at the statewide level and for each county, by age group, by rarest race and ethnicity. The age tab of the dashboard will include a new chart showing the percentage of people who have received at least one dose by age and rarest race and ethnicity at the statewide level. OHA collaborated with the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board’s (NPAIHB) Northwest Tribal Epidemiology Center, whose efforts have improved the quality of racial data in Oregon’s ALERT Immunization Information System (IIS), for American Indian or Alaska Native people in Oregon.
Through this effort, NPAIHB provided information on nearly 6,000 individuals who were previously not identified as American Indian or Alaska Native in ALERT IIS, and 96% of these individuals identify as American Indian or Alaska Natives. As a result, the statewide estimates of individuals vaccinated for COVID-19 who are identified as American Indian or Alaska Native increased by nearly 7%. Most of the individuals newly recognized in ALERT IIS as American Indian or Alaska Native following the data match were previously categorized as White. More than 1 million people who meet the eligibility criteria have not yet received one. The strong immune response you get from being fully vaccinated — followed by booster shots — can be highly effective against COVID-19. Note: Booster projections for 12- to 17-year olds will be updated at a later time on the dashboard.
Oregon’s epidemiologic curve dashboard update
Thursday, OHA published more features to the dashboard with Oregon’s epi curve showing the number of COVID-19 cases by date of illness onset. This curve is frequently referenced in public health discussions about collective efforts to reduce the number of infections and to “flatten the curve.” Sudden surges of COVID-19 infections can lead to more people needing medical care than our hospital systems can treat at one time. Reducing the number of infections also prevents healthcare systems from exceeding their capacity. The updated dashboard features filters to explore county-level trends in COVID-19 case counts and whether the person was ever hospitalized during their illness. Two new charts also compare case counts during statewide waves. Data collected on COVID-19 shows increases and decreases in new case counts. Factors that affect these outcomes are new variants, vaccinations and behaviors that promote transmission such as large events and gatherings. The third statewide wave that peaked in winter 2020-‘21 and the fifth statewide wave that peaked in summer 2021 were the longest in duration. The current statewide wave that started in mid-December 2021 has recorded the highest number of weekly cases. For more details, filter by county to explore how county-level trends compare to statewide waves.
Pediatric cases update
COVID-19 cases are increasing sharply among children ages 0 to 17 as the highly contagious Omicron variant continues to spread, according to the latest weekly dashboard report of pediatric COVID-19 case data in Oregon. In the most recent full week’s data, published today, pediatric case rates rose across all age groups and were highest among people ages 12 to 17. Compared to people who identify as White, pediatric case rates were 3.3 times higher among people who identify as Black, 2.4 times higher among people who identify as Asian and 1.7 times higher among people who identify as American Indian or Alaska Native. OHA will continue to monitor trends in pediatric case hospitalizations.
OHA releases new COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough report
OHA’s most recent update on COVID-19 breakthrough cases, released today, reported 15,239 cases of COVID-19 during the week of Dec. 26 to Jan.1. Of those cases, 10,579, or 69.4%, were unvaccinated people and 4,660, or 30.6%, were vaccine breakthrough cases. The average age of the breakthrough cases during that period was 39. Twenty-six breakthrough cases involved residents of care facilities, senior living communities or other congregate care settings. There were 271 cases in people aged 12 to 17. To date, there have been 58,841 COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough cases in Oregon. The average age of all cases is 45. Breakthrough cases have been reported in all 36 counties. Cases of COVID-19 are far more common in unvaccinated people. The report shows that the rate of COVID-19 in unvaccinated people is more than four times higher than in vaccinated people. To date, 4% of all vaccine breakthrough cases have been hospitalized and 1.2% have died. The average age of vaccinated people who have died is 81. Vaccination remains the most effective tool to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Oregonians are encouraged to get vaccinated and, if eligible, to get a booster shot.
State continues march toward goal of boosting a million more people in Oregon
Oregon continues to move closer to meeting Gov. Kate Brown’s goal, announced Dec. 17, of getting 1 million more people in the state a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by the end of January. When the challenge began, 949,749 people had received a booster dose. Since then, 245,803 Oregonians have received a booster. As of Thursday, Oregon needs 754,197 people to get a booster to reach the goal and make our state safer from the Omicron variant.
COVID-19 Hospitalizations
The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 588, which is 65 more than Wednesday. There are 110 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is two more than Wednesday. There are 42 available adult ICU beds out of 645 total (7% availability) and 221 available adult non-ICU beds out of 4,072 (5% availability). The total number of patients in hospital beds may fluctuate between report times. The numbers do not reflect admissions per day, nor the length of hospital stay. Staffing limitations are not captured in this data and may further limit bed capacity. Note: Please do not visit an emergency department for COVID-19 testing, unless you require emergency care for your symptoms. Emergency departments in Oregon are under significant strain. You can find a test here. If you have a medical condition that doesn’t require emergency care, contact your provider. An urgent care center may also help you get the care you need and will save emergency departments from added strain.
Vaccinations in Oregon
Thursday, OHA reported that 19,475 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations were added to the state immunization registry Jan. 5. Of that total, 1,666 were initial doses, 1,507 were second doses and 7,087 were third doses and booster doses. The remaining 8,574 were administered on previous days but were entered into the vaccine registry Jan. 5. The seven-day running average is now 10,873 doses per day. Oregon has now administered 3,843,712 doses of Pfizer Comirnaty, 173,529 doses of Pfizer pediatric, 2,535,103 doses of Moderna and 258,024 doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines. As of Thursday, 3,062,365 people have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 2,779,724 people have completed a COVID-19 vaccine series. These data are preliminary and subject to change. Updated vaccination data are provided on Oregon’s COVID-19 data dashboards and have been updated Thursday.
COVID-19 Cases
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported Thursday are in the following counties: Baker (17), Benton (317), Clackamas (756), Clatsop (45), Columbia (49), Coos (219), Crook (41), Curry (42), Deschutes (159), Douglas (91), Grant (14), Hood River (27), Jackson (441), Jefferson (62), Josephine (105), Klamath (70), Lake (4), Lane (623), Lincoln (74), Linn (204), Malheur (33), Marion (501), Morrow (34), Multnomah (1,598), Polk (275), Sherman (2), Tillamook (21), Umatilla (306), Union (27), Wallowa (1), Wasco (21), Washington (1,333) and Yamhill (103).
New changes to the recommended
OHSU release – COVID vaccine schedule: The FDA and CDC authorized changes to the recommended schedule for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. These changes are: Ages 12–15 can now get a booster shot. Booster should be given after 5 months, rather than 6. Ages 5–11 with weakened immune systems can get 3rd dose at least 28 days after 2nd dose. What is the new recommended COVID vaccine schedule by age? With these changes, here is the new recommended schedule: Ages 5–11 – Pfizer vaccine, 1st dose; 2nd dose after 21 days. Ages 12–17 – Pfizer vaccine, 1st dose; 2nd dose after 21 days; Booster at least 5 months after 2nd dose. Ages 5–17 with weakened immunity – Pfizer vaccine, 1st dose; 2nd dose after 21 days; 3rd dose 28 days after 2nd dose. Ages 18+ (choose A, B or C) – A. Pfizer vaccine, 1st dose; 2nd dose after 21 days; Booster of Pfizer, Moderna or J&J at least 5 months after 2nd dose; B. Moderna vaccine, 1st dose; 2nd dose after 28 days; Booster of Pfizer, Moderna or J&J at least 6 months after 2nd dose; C. Johnson & Johnson vaccine, 1st dose; Booster of Pfizer, Moderna or J&J after 2 months. Ages 18+ with weakened immunity (choose A, B or C) – A. Pfizer vaccine, 1st dose; 2nd dose after 21 days; 3rd dose of Pfizer or Moderna at least 28 days after 2nd dose; B. Moderna vaccine, 1st dose; 2nd dose after 28 days; 3rd dose of Pfizer or Moderna at least 28 days after 2nd dose; C. Johnson & Johnson vaccine, 1st dose; Booster of Pfizer, Moderna or J&J after 2 months. Where can I get a free vaccine or booster? OHSU Health is giving vaccines and boosters at our pharmacies, select clinic locations and at community sites. Go to ohsu.edu/covidvaccines for hours, locations and scheduling. If you don’t have access to the internet or need to schedule in another language, call 833-647-8222.
OHA announces four new high-volume vaccine centers
The Oregon Health Authority announced several new high-volume vaccination sites to provide easy access to COVID-19 vaccines and boosters shots including Pony Village Mall, North Bend. The new sites are: Florence Events Center, 715 Quince St., Florence, starting Dec. 31. Open daily Monday through Saturday from 12 p.m.- 7 p.m. Sundays from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. This venue will be closed on Tuesday, Jan.18 due to a previous commitment. Roseburg Public Library, 1409 NE Diamond Rd., Roseburg, starting Jan.4. Open daily (including weekends), 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Pony Village Mall, 1611 Virginia Ave., North Bend, starting Jan 8. Open daily (including weekends) from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Spirit Mountain Casino, 27100 SW Salmon River Highway, Grand Ronde, starting Jan. 15. Open Monday through Saturday, 12 p.m.- 7 p.m. Sunday from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. These sites offer all three COVID-19 vaccines, boosters and pediatric doses. The vaccines are safe, effective and free. You do not need health insurance. No appointment is necessary. People in Oregon age 18 and older are eligible for booster shots six months after a second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine or two months after the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Boosters provide added protection from serious illness from COVID-19. Several sites around the state can accommodate large numbers of people seeking vaccinations. Many have added availabilities over the holiday season. For more information about vaccination clinics and providers near you go to GetVaccinated.Oregon.gov or visit OHA’s webpage on available clinics across the state.