Oregon reports 27 more COVID-19 related deaths; 1 million vaccine doses given

(Update: Adding weekly report; deaths, cases, hospitalizations increase; Western Workgroup recommends Johnson & Johnson vaccine as safe, effective))

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — There are 27 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 2,252, the Oregon Health Authority reported Wednesday.

OHA also reported 276 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, bringing the state total to 156,287.

Note: A large volume of backlogged electronic laboratory reports (ELRs) were received Tuesday. As a result, Wednesday’s test counts are higher than anticipated. Test results were from Jan. 1 to March 1. Approximately 99% of these test results were negative results, and Wednesday’s percent positivity is lower than anticipated.

Oregon hits milestone: 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered

OHA recorded Wednesday more than 1 million vaccines administered to Oregonians. There were 22,346 doses recorded Tuesday, bringing the total number of doses administered in the state to 1,019,767. The first dose was administered on Dec. 14, less than three months ago.

About one in five Oregonians who likely are eligible have received at least one dose.

The vaccine has been delivered to every Oregon county, long-term care and residential care facilities, adult foster homes, group homes for those with disabilities, hospitals, mass vaccination events, mobile events, clinics, Tribal health centers, group homes, congregate care settings, pharmacies, outpatient clinics, federally qualified health centers and other locations throughout the state.

Oregon has now administered a cumulative total of 1,019,767 first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccines. To date, 1,310,175 doses of vaccine have been delivered to sites across Oregon.

 “This could not happen without the partnerships that have been strengthened and developed to move Oregon closer to community immunity, and the thousands of providers, volunteers, nurses and countless other Oregonians who made this happen,” said OHA Director Patrick Allen. “Every day, we are delivering more than 22,000 doses of vaccine that will bring us to the end of this difficult journey for so many.

“Our ability to meet our timelines for opening up scheduling opportunities to additional groups will still require an adequate and consistent supply of doses from the federal government, a large number of Oregonians who are able and willing to get vaccinated and the ability of our vaccination sites to immunize all eligible persons.”

St. Charles Health System has given 27,447 COVID-19 vaccinations as of early Wednesday.

As Oregon continues the vaccine rollout, OHA encourages all Oregonians to keep taking the protective measures to help keep themselves, families, coworkers, loved ones, friends and communities safe and healthy. They continue to recommend that all Oregonians:

• Maintain 6 feet of physical distance;
• Wear a face covering when outside the house;
• Practice good hand hygiene;
• Avoid any gatherings with non-household members;
• If you start to have symptoms — even mild ones — consult with a medical provider quickly to get instructions on how to care for yourself and your household members and to determine whether to get tested;
• And finally, if you get a call from a local public health authority, answer it, and take their advice on how to protect yourself and those around you.

COVID-19 hospitalizations

The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 140, which is nine fewer than Tuesday. There are 31 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is two more than Tuesday.

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.

St. Charles Bend had 14 COVID-19 patients as of 4 a.m. Wednesday, one of whom was in the ICU and on a ventilator.

More information about hospital capacity can be found here.

Cases and deaths

Details of Wednesday’s reported deaths will be published later.

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported Wednesday are in the following counties: Baker (2), Benton (3), Clackamas (20), Clatsop (2), Columbia (3), Coos (24), Deschutes (10), Douglas (22), Grant (2), Harney (2), Jackson (47), Jefferson (5), Josephine (5), Klamath (2), Lane (15), Linn (4), Malheur (2), Marion (28), Multnomah (26), Polk (4), Tillamook (4), Umatilla (7), Union (10), Washington (25) and Yamhill (2).

Weekly COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, deaths rise

The Oregon Health Authority’s COVID-19 Weekly Report, released today, shows increases in daily cases, hospitalizations and deaths from the previous week.

OHA reported 2,652 new daily cases of COVID-19 during the week of Monday, Feb. 22 through Sunday, Feb. 28 — a 17% increase from the previous week.

New COVID-19 related hospitalizations also rose to 164, up from 159 the previous week.

Reported COVID-19 related deaths also increased to 57, up from 17 last week. That represents the lowest total since mid-November.

There were 120,678 tests for COVID-19 for the week of Feb. 21 through Feb. 27, a sharp increase from the previous week. The previous week’s total was most likely affected by the inclement winter weather event that took place throughout the region.

Roughly 117,000 tests were administered on a weekly basis earlier this year. The percentage of positive tests was 3.7%.

People 70 years of age and older have accounted for 40% of COVID-19 associated hospitalizations and 77% of COVID-19 associated deaths.

Friday’s COVID-19 Weekly Outbreak Report shows 56 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.

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations

To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine situation in Oregon, visit OHA’s web page, which has a breakdown of distribution and other useful information.

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News release from Gov. Kate Brown’s Office:

Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup Recommends Johnson & Johnson Vaccine, Confirms it is Safe and Effective

Workgroup “Recommends unanimously that the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine be used in our states” 
Endorses the transparency and objectivity of the process, and the rigor, validity and reliability of the federal analyses
J&J becomes the third vaccine supported for use by the Workgroup; vaccine shipments are arriving this week

 (Salem, OR) — The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup last night completed its review of the federal process and has concluded the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen Biotech) COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for use in the Western States. The Workgroup provided its confirmation to the Governors of California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington this morning, making the J&J vaccine the third COVID-19 vaccine supported for use in these states. Shipments are expected early this week.  

Washington, Oregon and Nevada joined California’s COVID-19 Scientific Safety Review Workgroup in October. The workgroup, made up of nationally acclaimed scientists with expertise in immunization and public health, has concurrently and independently reviewed the FDA’s actions related to COVID-19 vaccinations. It will continue to evaluate other COVID-19 vaccines as they go through the federal process.

Statement from Governor Kate Brown:
“After thorough scientific review by doctors and health experts, we now have three safe and effective vaccines available for Oregonians. And, because the Johnson & Johnson vaccine can be stored in standard refrigerators and vaccinate individuals in a single dose, it gives us the ability to vaccinate even more people. We will work to distribute vaccines as quickly and equitably as possible as we move forward to vaccinate seniors, people with underlying health conditions, frontline workers, and all Oregonians.”

Statement from Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak:
“With the review of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine, the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup has again come together to ensure we have a safe, effective vaccine available to our residents. Their review of this vaccine should give Nevadans added confidence to say ‘yes’ to any of the three vaccines offered.

“The availability of COVID-19 vaccine is crucial as we continue our response and efforts to protect the health of our communities and our state. I am so proud of the work being done on the ground at vaccination sites statewide – almost 670,000 doses administered – and I offer my gratitude and thanks to all of those working for their fellow Nevadans.

“The Johnson & Johnson vaccine gives us additional flexibility as we strive to reach all Nevadans. This vaccine is easy to use, ship and store, which will help our partners in their mission to reach all our residents. Thank you to my fellow governors for sharing your expertise as we all work to slow the spread of COVID-19.”

Statement from California Governor Gavin Newsom:
“With the authorization of the single-shot Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, we now have three remarkable vaccines that offer 100 percent protection from death and hospitalizations. We have administered 9.3 million vaccines in California thus far, and we’re building a system that will allow us to vaccinate people as quickly as supply becomes available. There is truly light at the end of the tunnel.”

Statement from Washington Governor Jay Inslee:
“The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup gives us further confidence around the safety and efficacy of Johnson and Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine. With the delivery of the J & J vaccine this week, and overall increase in the number of vaccine doses coming to Washington, we have increased our capacity to get vaccine to all parts of the state. We are making good progress on vaccination rates, and this third vaccine will help our efforts to get as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible.”

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