For the eighth day in a row, Oregon reported over 300 new or presumed coronavirus cases, setting another record for the daily average over the past week.
Officials reported 391 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, as well as nine more deaths.
The total number of cases reported in the state is now 42,808, with 664 total deaths.
Oregon’s rolling average for the past week reached a new high Tuesday, at 384 cases a day, up seven from Monday. But that remains significantly lower than some of Oregon’s neighbors, including Washington, Idaho and Nevada, which are averaging roughly 700 to 900 cases a day.
As cases continue to remain high, the Oregon Health Authority has recommended against trick-or-treating this weekend.
On Tuesday, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown again extended the state’s state of emergency, this time until Jan. 2, 2021.
“Extending the COVID-19 state of emergency is not something I do lightly, but we know all too well that not taking action would mean an even greater loss of life," Brown said in a press release. “The second wave of COVID-19 has arrived in the United States, and this time it is hitting all of our communities.”
Brown said she hopes to keep Oregon “on track to open more schools for in-person instruction for our students — and to continue to reopen, and keep open, our businesses, communities, and economies.”
Meanwhile, the governor’s office announced Tuesday that Oregon, as well as Washington and Nevada, have joined California’s COVID-19 Scientific Safety Review Workgroup. That group will “independently review the safety and efficacy of any vaccine approved by the FDA for distribution,” a press release said.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the panel of scientists last week.
“The vaccines currently in development, once approved, are what Americans have been waiting for to protect their families, their children, and their loved ones in long-term care facilities,” Brown said in the release. “The independent review conducted by this panel of doctors, scientists, and health experts will ensure that a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine is available to everyone, especially communities that have been disproportionately impacted by this disease.”
SEE DETAILED OREGON CORONAVIRUS STATS
New cases were reported in these counties: Baker (5), Benton (3), Clackamas (35), Clatsop (1), Columbia (3), Coos (5), Crook (2), Curry (1), Deschutes (5), Douglas (9), Harney (11), Jackson (25), Jefferson (1), Josephine (2), Klamath (5), Lake (1), Lane (31), Linn (6), Malheur (10), Marion (72), Multnomah (72), Polk (3), Umatilla (22), Union (1), Wallowa (2), Wasco (1), Washington (50), Wheeler (1) and Yamhill (6).
New fatalities: Oregon’s 656th coronavirus death is a 63-year-old Washington County woman who tested positive on July 8 and died in her residence on Oct. 4. The presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed by OHA.
The state’s 657th COVID-19 death is a 79-year-old woman in Wasco County who tested positive on Sept. 18 and died in her residence on Oct. 24. The presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed by OHA.
The 658th COVID-19 death is a 66-year-old Multnomah County woman who tested positive on Oct. 14 and died at Providence Portland Medical Center on Oct. 24. She had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 659th coronavirus death is a 67-year-old man in Multnomah County with underlying conditions who tested positive on Oct. 5 and died on Oct. 23 at Providence Portland Medical Center.
The 660th COVID-19 death is a 62-year-old Umatilla County man with underlying conditions who tested positive on Oct. 4 and died on Oct. 21 at Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, Washington.
Oregon’s 661st coronavirus death is an 82-year-old man in Multnomah County who tested positive on Oct. 8 and died at Adventist Health Portland on Oct. 25. He had underlying conditions.
The 662nd coronavirus death is a 52-year-old Morrow County man with underlying conditions who tested positive on Aug. 25 and died on Oct. 24 at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center.
Oregon’s 663rd COVID-19 death is a 64-year-old Douglas County man who tested positive on Sept. 25 and died at OHSU on Oct. 25. The presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed by OHA
The state’s 664th COVID-19 death is a 66-year-old woman in Douglas County with underlying conditions who tested positive on Oct. 18 and died on Oct. 24 at Mercy Medical Center.
The prevalence of infections: State officials reported 358 new confirmed infections out of 6,697 people tested, equaling a 5.4% positivity rate.
Who got infected: New confirmed or presumed infections grew among the following age groups: 0-9 (21); 10-19 (40); 20-29 (65); 30-39 (59); 40-49 (71); 50-59 (60); 60-69 (35); 70-79 (13); 80 and older (8).
Who’s in the hospital: The state Tuesday reported 147 Oregonians with confirmed coronavirus infections are in the hospital, up from 139 on Monday. Of those, 50 are in intensive care units, up from 40 on Monday, and 20 are on ventilators, down from 21.
Since it began: Oregon has reported 42,808 confirmed or presumed infections and 664 deaths. To date, 834,825 tests have been performed.
-- Lizzy Acker
503-221-8052, lacker@oregonian.com, @lizzzyacker