OHA released the latest COVID-19 model today, which shows a decrease in daily cases. The new report estimates that, as of Jan. 13, our statewide reproductive rate was 0.81. According to the newest forecast, if we continue along our present course of wearing masks, keeping physical distance and restricting our gatherings, daily COVID-19 cases will decline to an average of 420 per day and COVID-19 related hospitalizations will decrease by 13 per day. A 30% increase in transmission would translate to roughly 720 daily cases and 24 new hospitalizations a day, as well as 240 cases per 100,000 people by mid-February. The new modeling does not factor in the presence of the UK variant strain of COVID-19 in Oregon. The report indicates that two-thirds of surveyed Oregonians are likely to get the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available and when it is their turn.
