Coronavirus in Oregon: 1,160 new cases and 35 deaths as hospitalizations keep falling – OregonLive

Oregon health officials reported 1,160 new coronavirus cases Wednesday and 35 deaths connected to COVID-19, along with an 18-bed drop in hospitalizations.

The decline in the number of beds occupied by COVID-19 patients statewide continues the trend of hospitalizations falling faster than anticipated by forecasts the state relies on to set some of its COVID-19 policy.

The Oregon Health Authority, which sets and repeals masking rules, used an older forecast to set March 31 as the cut-off date for lifting the public indoor mask mandate, allowing for an earlier date if hospitalizations fall to pre-omicron levels earlier than anticipated.

The data indicate hospitalizations are on track to fall to the threshold set by the state, 400 occupied beds, far sooner than the end of next month.

Since the omicron peak Jan. 27, hospitalizations have fallen an average of about 20 beds per day. Oregon is now 179 patients away from the 400 threshold.

Where the new cases are by county: Baker (2), Benton (19), Clackamas (78), Clatsop (6), Columbia (23), Coos (17), Crook (13), Curry (24), Deschutes (69), Douglas (42), Gilliam (1), Harney (3), Hood River (5), Jackson (118), Jefferson (24), Josephine (13), Klamath (11), Lake (3), Lane (87), Lincoln (14), Linn (38), Malheur (17), Marion (107), Morrow (4), Multnomah (166), Polk (27), Tillamook (12), Umatilla (22), Union (19), Wallowa (2), Wasco (26), Washington (120) and Yamhill (28).

Who died: The state did not immediately release details about those who died.

Hospitalizations: 579 people with confirmed coronavirus infections are hospitalized, down 18 from Tuesday. That includes 110 people in intensive care, up one from Tuesday.

Since it began: Oregon has reported 690,481 confirmed or presumed infections and 6,519 deaths, among the lowest per capita numbers in the nation. To date, the state has reported 7,352,004 vaccine doses administered, fully vaccinating 2,859,242 people and partially vaccinating 295,130 people.

To see more data and trends, visit https://projects.oregonlive.com/coronavirus/

Fedor Zarkhin

503-294-7674; fzarkhin@oregonian.com

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Coronavirus in Oregon: 1,160 new cases and 35 deaths as hospitalizations keep falling - OregonLive