Updated Thursday, April 29, 2021
Oregon reports 888 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 2 new deaths
There are two new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 2,490, the Oregon Health Authority reported today.
Oregon Health Authority reported 888 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 182,916.
Vaccinations in Oregon
Today, OHA reported that 40,769 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations were added to the state immunization registry. Of this total, 23,214 doses were administered on April 27 and 17,555 were administered on previous days but were entered into the vaccine registry on April 27. Cumulative daily totals can take several days to finalize.
The 7-day running average is now 34,906 doses per day.
Oregon has now administered a total of 1,543,640 first and second doses of Pfizer, 1,257,015 first and second doses of Moderna and 93,001 single doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines. As of today, 1,209,607 people have completed a COVID-19 vaccine series. There are 1,773,928 people who have had at least one dose.
To date, 1,865,565 doses of Pfizer, 1,563,300 doses of Moderna and 215,100 doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines have been delivered to sites across Oregon.
These data are preliminary and subject to change.
OHA’s dashboards provide regularly updated vaccination data, and Oregon’s dashboard has been updated today.
Cases and deaths
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (4), Benton (21), Clackamas (109), Clatsop (2), Columbia (12), Coos (3), Crook (10), Curry (10), Deschutes (67), Douglas (8), Grant (5), Harney (1), Hood River (2), Jackson (58), Jefferson (6), Josephine (22), Klamath (55), Lake (4), Lane (57), Lincoln (3), Linn (45), Malheur (5), Marion (103),Morrow (2), Multnomah (153), Polk (13), Tillamook (4), Umatilla (17), Union (1), Wallowa (3), Washington (73) and Yamhill (10).
Oregon’s 2489th COVID-19 death is a 78-year-old man from Jackson County who tested positive on April 12 and died on April 27 at Providence Medford Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 2,490th death is a 73-year-old man from Linn county who tested positive on April 10 and died on April 13. Location of death and presence of underlying conditions are being confirmed.
COVID-19 hospitalizations
The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 326, which is two fewer than yesterday. There are 64 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is seven fewer than yesterday.
The total number of COVID-19 positive patient bed-days in the most recent seven days is 2,118, which is a 34% increase from the previous seven days. The peak daily number of beds occupied by COVID-19 positive patients in the most recent seven days is 328.
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.
Vaccination made easy in Jackson County
 The Jackson County Vaccination Equity Center at the Expo is now open in Central Point. Everyone 16 and older is welcome to get the free COVID-19 vaccine there. Designed with convenience in mind, folks have drive-thru or walk-up options and there’s even a mobile clinic for those who need it. An image of a flyer promoting the event is pictured at right.“We are excited to offer people free, easy-access COVID-19 vaccinations. Our community is not only dealing with the impact of COVID-19, wildfires ripped through the area in 2020 and nearly 2,500 homes were destroyed,” said Tanya Phillips, Jackson County Health and Human Services spokesperson. |
“We also know that we need to meet people where they are, especially folks who live in remote areas or those who speak languages other than English. Our mobile clinics give us a lot of flexibility to reach everyone who wants to get vaccinated.”
 The vaccination clinic is a pilot program in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Administration, Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Office of Emergency Management, Jackson County Health and Human Services, Jackson County Emergency Management, and Providence Health & Services, and was featured in the April 12 edition of the Coronavirus Update. Person shown at left getting vaccinated. |
The Central Point location is easy to get to and you don’t need to bring identification to get your free vaccination. For more information, visit https://jacksoncountyor.org/hhs/COVID-19/Vaccine-Appointments/jackson-county-vaccination-equity-center-at-the-expo.
Jackson County Expo is located at 1 Peninger Road in Central Point, OR 97502.
Twelve counties could move back to Extreme Risk next week
As Oregon faces a fourth surge of COVID-19, Governor Kate Brown announced at today’s press conference that 12 counties could move back to Extreme Risk on Friday April 30 without an intervening “warning week.” Decisions will be made early next week after county data has been analyzed.
The county risk level framework uses four different risk levels for counties based on COVID-19 spread—Extreme Risk, High Risk, Moderate Risk, and Lower Risk—and assigns health and safety measures for each level. Usually, county risk levels are reassigned every two weeks and the first week’s data provides a “warning week” to prepare counties for potential risk level changes. Governor Brown canceled the “warning week” amid the current surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
You can watch a recording of today’s briefing here and find a copy of the talking points here. Today’s slides are also available here.
Readers share tips about face coverings
We know that wearing a face covering correctly – that is, over your mouth and nose – is one of the most effective ways to slow the spread of COVID-19. People in Oregon are extremely creative and willing to go the extra mile to make wearing a face covering work for them. We asked Coronavirus Update readers to share their tips. Here’s some of what they told us:
If your glasses are fogging up:
- Fold a tissue into a small rectangle and put in under the mask on the bridge of your nose.
- Raise the top of the face covering so that it’s under the bottom edge of your glasses.
- Use anti-fog spray or cloths.
- Rubbing soap on your glasses, then wiping it off with a microfiber cloth without rinsing. This can also work for a clear mask that may be worn to make it easier for those who are Deaf or hard of hearing to understand.
- Put a piece of paper medical tape or adhesive bandage across the top of the mask.
- Rub a pea-sized drop of shaving cream on your eyeglass lenses to prevent fogging. Do not use shaving cream with moisturizers. Polish until clear.
- Use a bit of vinegar and hot water on the lenses.
To make it more comfortable:
- Repurpose swimsuits to make comfortable straps.
- Sew on the closure from a coffee bean bag, a pipe cleaner or twist tie from electronics packaging for a nose strip.
- Tie a string or ribbon to the elastic so the mask is secured around the head rather than behind the ears
- Slip your mask over the arm of your glasses (near your ear) to reduce pressure on your ears.
To remember your face covering:
- Wear it on a lanyard.
- Leave some extras in your glove compartment.
- Keep an extra in your bag.
- Keep it with your wallet and keys.
Ideas for celebrating holiday meals safely
Gathering around a table for a holiday meal will look different this year. During the freeze, only two households can gather together with no more than six people together total. Remember it’s safest to enjoy your holiday meal with only the people you live with.
If you choose to celebrate with the lowest risk for spreading COVID-19, here are some ideas:
- Join friends and family over a video call. Setting the computer at the end of your tables can make it look like you’re all at a long table together.
- Cook a pie or favorite dish and drop it off on your loved one’s home without contact.
- Exchange photos of the people (or food) at your meal with the people you would normally invite.
- Send an email or letter with stories or memories from past holidays to let people know you’re thinking of them.
If you do decide to gather with another household at your home, the graphic below has suggestions for eating together safely.
