Newly identified coronavirus cases fell for the first time since the second omicron wave began in late March, with 13% fewer new infections reported during the week ending Monday as compared to the week ending May 23.
Average daily new cases dropped from a recent peak of nearly 1,690 per day one week ago to about 1,450. State health officials have previously indicated they believe the current COVID-19 wave may be reaching its peak.
But the reported decline comes in conjunction with the Memorial Day holiday weekend, which saw a nearly 20% drop in testing compared to the same timeframe in the previous week. Test positivity rates remain high, averaging 13.7% over the past four days, indicating that more testing would have caught more cases.
The reported decline in cases ends eight consecutive weeks of rising case tallies. The Oregonian/OregonLive calculated the decline using cumulative case numbers reported Tuesday compared to the total from a week earlier, instead of the typical Monday reporting cycle. That’s because the Oregon Health Authority declined to release cumulative counts for the Memorial Day holiday.
Meanwhile, hospitalizations have climbed to 303 and, according to an Oregon Health & Science University forecast, could max out at about 330 occupied beds next week.
Since it began: Oregon has reported 765,449 confirmed or presumed infections and 7,635 deaths.
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Where the newest cases are by county in the eight days since May 23: Baker (16), Benton (334), Clackamas (1259), Clatsop (67), Columbia (124), Coos (135), Crook (61), Curry (38), Deschutes (696), Douglas (211), Gilliam (1), Grant (10), Harney (18), Hood River (65), Jackson (462), Jefferson (54), Josephine (130), Klamath (66), Lake (6), Lane (1064), Lincoln (97), Linn (282), Malheur (18), Marion (862), Morrow (5), Multnomah (2982), Polk (242), Sherman (2), Tillamook (60), Umatilla (73), Union (24), Wallowa (10), Wasco (73), Washington (2114) and Yamhill (212).
Hospitalizations: 303 people with confirmed coronavirus infections are hospitalized, up 25 since Monday, May 23. That includes 29 people in intensive care, up five since May 23.
Vaccinations: As of May 23, the state has reported fully vaccinating 2,913,135 people (68.3% of the population), partially vaccinating 288,435 people (6.8%) and boosting 1,640,138 (38.4%).
New deaths: Since May 23, the Oregon Health Authority has reported 44 additional deaths connected to COVID-19.
— Fedor Zarkhin
