COVID-19 weekly cases and deaths decline, hospitalizations rise

Oregon Health Authority’s COVID-19 Weekly Report, released today, shows decreases in daily cases and deaths and an increase in hospitalizations.

OHA reported 7,707 new cases of COVID-19 during the week of Monday, Oct. 18 through Sunday, Oct. 24. That represents a 4.1% decrease from the previous week and the eighth consecutive week of declining case counts.

The incidence of reported COVID-19 cases was higher in Oregon counties with population vaccination rates less than 50%.

There were 415 new COVID-19 hospitalizations, up from 377 last week, marking the first time hospitalizations have risen following seven consecutive weeks of declines.

There were 110 reported COVID-19 related deaths, down from 183 reported the previous week. This was the lowest weekly death toll since the week of Aug. 16–22.

There were 137,537 tests for COVID-19 for the week of Oct. 17 through Oct. 23.  The percentage of positive tests was 7.4%, down from 7.6% the previous week.

Today’s COVID-19 Weekly Outbreak Report shows 101 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.