PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon has 635 COVID-19 patients in the hospital Tuesday, the most the state has seen since the start of the pandemic, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) said.
OHA also reported 2,329 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, the highest daily case count since the start of the pandemic, as the delta variant continues to send case numbers and hospitalizations skyrocketing.
The previous record for daily cases was set on Dec. 4, when the state reported 2,176 new cases in a single day.
Nine additional COVID deaths were reported, bringing the statewide death toll to 2,912 people.
Daily case numbers have climbed up to levels the state hasn't seen since last winter, consistently surpassing 1,000 cases a day in the past two weeks. This comes despite the more than 2.3 million Oregonians who've been fully vaccinated.
In an effort to combat the surge in new cases, Gov. Kate Brown is expected to announce a new statewide mask mandate on Wednesday. Multnomah County is already set to require masks inside public spaces like grocery stores, restaurants and gyms starting Friday, regardless of vaccination status.
Hospitalizations
Oregon has 635 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Oregon, 60 more than reported Monday. That's an overnight increase of more than 10%. The state's previous high of 585 patients hospitalized was reported on Nov. 30.
There are also a record 164 COVID patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, 16 more than reported Monday.
“The number of hospitalized COVID-19 positive patients has surpassed the previous pandemic high set back in November," said OHA director Patrick Allen. "This is alarming and an urgent call to action if you have not yet been vaccinated. All three COVID-19 vaccines are extremely effective in preventing severe COVID-19 infection leading to hospitalization. Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 and to keep the virus from spreading among our loved ones, our friends and neighbors and our communities."
Vaccinations
As of Tuesday, 2,335,892 Oregonians have completed a COVID-19 vaccine series and 2,526,326 have had at least one dose.
In the past seven days, the state has administered an average of 5,345 doses per day.
Cases
Of the new cases reported Tuesday, Marion County had the most with 313, followed by Jackson County with 267 and Lane County with 199. Here's a county-by-county breakdown:
Baker (33), Benton (17), Clackamas (145), Clatsop (12), Columbia (6), Coos (73), Crook (20), Curry (55), Deschutes (132), Douglas (122), Gilliam (1), Harney (6), Hood River (7), Jackson (267), Jefferson (8), Josephine (117), Klamath (46), Lake (3), Lane (199), Lincoln (34), Linn (81), Malheur (31), Marion (313), Morrow (16), Multnomah (141), Polk (41), Tillamook (27), Umatilla (102), Union (17), Wallowa (8), Wasco (42), Washington (128) and Yamhill (79).
EDITOR'S NOTE: Tuesday's record-high case count included some new cases that were reported to counties over the weekend, but OHA was unable to give an exact number.
Deaths
OHA released the following information about the nine people who died:
- Oregon’s 2,904th COVID-19 associated death was an 88-year-old man from Douglas County who tested positive on Aug. 4 and died on Aug. 8 at Mercy Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.
- Oregon’s 2,905th COVID-19 associated death was a 99-year-old woman from Deschutes County who tested positive on Aug. 5 and died on Aug. 9 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.
- Oregon’s 2,906th COVID-19 associated death was a 90-year-old woman from Clackamas County who tested positive on Aug. 2 and died on Aug. 7 at Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.
- Oregon’s 2,907th COVID-19 associated death was a 73-year-old man from Josephine County who first became symptomatic on July 30 after contact with a confirmed case and died on Aug. 6 at his residence. He had underlying conditions.
- Oregon’s 2,908th COVID-19 associated death was a 76-year-old man from Marion County who tested positive on Aug. 5 and died on Aug. 5 at his residence. He had underlying conditions.
- Oregon’s 2,909th COVID-19 associated death was a 74-year-old man from Marion County who tested positive on Aug. 1 and died on Aug. 3 at his residence. He had underlying conditions.
- Oregon’s 2,910th COVID-19 associated death was a 67-year-old woman from Marion County who tested positive on July 25 and died on Aug. 7 at Salem Hospital. She had underlying conditions.
- Oregon’s 2,911th COVID-19 associated death was a 65-year-old man from Marion County who tested positive on July 11 and died on Aug. 4 at Salem Hospital. He had underlying conditions.
- Oregon’s 2,912th COVID-19 associated death was a 72-year-old man from Wasco County who tested positive on Aug. 4 and died on Aug. 7 at his residence. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.