COVID-19 weekly cases and hospitalizations decline, deaths rise, Oct. 15

The Oregon Health Authority’s COVID-19 Weekly Report, released Wednesday, shows decreases in daily cases and hospitalizations and an increase in deaths. OHA reported 9,022 new cases of COVID-19 during the week of Monday, Oct. 4 through Sunday, Oct. 10. That represents an 13% decrease from the previous week and the sixth consecutive week of declining case counts. The incidence of reported COVID-19 was higher in Oregon counties with population vaccination rates less than 50%. There were 416 new COVID-19 hospitalizations, down from 462 last week, which marks a 10% reduction and the fifth consecutive week of declines. There were 179 reported COVID-19 related deaths, up from 114 reported the previous week. This was the highest weekly death toll since the week of Jan. 11–17. There were 141,863 tests for COVID-19 for the week of Oct. 3 through Oct. 9. The percentage of positive tests was 8.1%, down from 8.8% the previous week. Today’s COVID-19 Weekly Outbreak Report shows 148 active COVID-19 outbreaks in senior living communities and congregate living settings, with three or more confirmed cases and one or more COVID-19 related deaths.