CORONAVIRUS

Oregon coronavirus updates, Sept 19: 266 new cases, 5 more deaths

Salem Statesman Journal

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We'll update this story throughout the day with the latest news about coronavirus and its effects in Oregon and across the nation on Saturday, Sept. 18.

266 new COVID-19 cases, 5 more deaths

Five more coronavirus-related deaths, including a 97-year-old Marion County woman, were added to the state's count Saturday, bringing the death toll to 525.

The Oregon Health Authority reported 266 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19. A total of 30,599 COVID-19 cases have been reported in Oregon. 

With 40 cases each, Multnomah County and Marion County reported the most new cases Saturday. 

The new cases were also reported in the following counties: Benton (27), Clackamas (14), Clatsop (3), Columbia (2), Curry (1), Deschutes (16), Douglas (6), Jackson (13), Jefferson (6), Josephine (3), Klamath (4), Lane (11), Lincoln (2), Linn (4), Malheur (22), Morrow (1), Polk (8), Umatilla (10), Wasco (1), Washington (23) and Yamhill (9).

Oregon’s 521st COVID-19 death is a 93-year-old woman in Lane County who tested positive on Aug. 26 and died on Sept. 17, in her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 522nd COVID-19 death is a 72-year-old woman in Jackson County who tested positive on Aug. 28 and died on Sept. 15, at Providence Medford Medical Center. She had underlying medical conditions.

Oregon’s 523rd COVID-19 death is an 81-year-old man in Morrow County who tested positive on Sept. 4 and died on Sept.14. Location of death is being confirmed. He had underlying medical conditions.

Oregon’s 524th COVID-19 death is a 97-year-old-woman in Marion County who died on May 10. The death certificate listed COVID-19 disease or SARS-CoV-2 as a cause of death or a significant condition contributing to death. She had underlying medical conditions.

Oregon’s 525th COVID-19 death is an 86-year-old man in Multnomah County who tested positive on Aug. 16 and died on Sept.16 in his residence. He had underlying medical conditions.

Testing drops due wildfires and poor air quality

The availability of coronavirus testing in Oregon decreased this week due to the massive wildfires and the hazardous air quality that stretched across the state.

Despite this, officials said Friday that data continues to show a decline in the rate of COVID-19 transmission in the state. Many outdoor testing sites in Oregon and the state's laboratory that processes and holds tests were closed this week.

In August, Oregon performed an average of 32,000 tests per week. Last week, as thousands of people were forced to evacuate their homes because of wildfires, Oregon tested 19,465 people, officials said.

To date, Oregon has tested approximately 616,600 people for COVID-19.

Symptoms from wildfire smoke and COVID-19 overlap — cough, runny nose, fatigue, difficulty breathing and headaches. But smoke impacts don’t typically include fever, chills, muscle or body aches, vomiting, loss of taste or smell or diarrhea.

Since the start of the massive wildfires, about 10% of all emergency room visits across the state are for asthma type symptoms — an increase.

Smoke across the state began to clear overnight Thursday and Friday, as many communities reported improved air quality.

— SARA CLINE Associated Press/Report for America

COVID-19 by the numbers in Oregon

Here's the most recent data from OHA, as of Friday, September 18.

  • 525: Deaths from COVID-19
  • 30,599: Total cases
  • 145: People hospitalized with confirmed or suspected COVID-19
  • 11: Patients on ventilators
  • 603,311: Tests that were negative
  • 633,910: Total number of tests given, since Jan. 24

Oregon COVID-19 cases by county

Here are the number of cases, both tested positive and presumptive, and deaths as of Friday, September 18:

  • Baker: 90 cases, 2 deaths
  • Benton: 279 cases, 6 deaths
  • Clackamas: 2,237 cases, 61 deaths
  • Clatsop: 113 cases
  • Columbia: 150 cases, 1 death
  • Coos: 136 cases
  • Crook: 60 cases, 1 death
  • Curry: 27 cases
  • Deschutes: 760 cases, 12 deaths
  • Douglas: 206 cases, 3 deaths
  • Gilliam: 7 cases
  • Grant: 8 cases
  • Harney: 12 cases
  • Hood River: 241 cases
  • Jackson: 1,034 cases, 4 deaths
  • Jefferson: 511 cases, 8 deaths
  • Josephine: 183 cases, 2 deaths
  • Klamath: 272 cases, 2 deaths
  • Lake: 28 cases
  • Lane: 944 cases, 15 deaths
  • Lincoln: 472 cases, 13 deaths
  • Linn: 458 cases, 13 deaths
  • Malheur: 1,512 cases, 23 deaths
  • Marion: 4,427 cases, 89 deaths
  • Morrow: 485 cases, 6 deaths
  • Multnomah: 6,779 cases, 130 deaths
  • Polk: 501 cases, 15 deaths
  • Sherman: 18 cases
  • Tillamook: 48 cases
  • Umatilla: 2,905 cases, 41 deaths
  • Union: 435 cases, 2 deaths
  • Wallowa: 28 cases, 1 death
  • Wasco: 234 cases, 3 deaths
  • Washington: 4,264 cases, 58 deaths
  • Wheeler: 0 cases
  • Yamhill: 735 cases, 14 deaths

Source: Oregon Health Authority