CORONAVIRUS

Oregon coronavirus update, July 27: Health officials urge masks as state tops 1,000 cases

Tracy Loew
Salem Statesman Journal

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We'll update this story with the latest news about coronavirus and its effects in Oregon on Tuesday, July 27.

State recommends masks indoors

Oregon's health agency is now recommending everyone — including people who have been vaccinated — wear masks when in public indoor spaces.

In late June, Gov. Kate Brown lifted nearly all COVID-19 related restrictions, including executive orders that authorized mask requirements.

But due to a severe rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the state is now saying it's a good idea to mask up.

Health officials say an estimated 80% of new COVID-19 cases in Oregon are associated with the more contagious delta variant. 

"The use of face masks provides significant protection for individuals who are unvaccinated," said state epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger, "As well as an additional level (of) protection from a small but known risk of infection by the virus for persons who have already been vaccinated."

The vaccines greatly reduce risk of hospitalization or death should you contract a "breakthrough" case of COVID-19.

The change comes the same day as the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends universal mask use indoors in response to growing cases.

Oregon's health agency said in a news release that it is "continuing to call on local community and public health leaders, and businesses, to encourage vaccination and masking to prevent new outbreaks in areas of substantial and high transmission."

For more information about where to get vaccinated against COVID-19, you can visit https://getvaccinated.oregon.gov.

Oregon reports 1,032 new COVID-19 case, five new deaths

Oregon has reported 1,032 new cases of COVID-19, the highest daily count since Jan. 16.

There were five new COVID-19 deaths, including one in Marion County and one in Polk County.

That brings the state’s cumulative case count to 216,875, and the death toll to 2,843, according to the Oregon Health Authority.

Marion County reported 112 new cases. Polk County reported 24 new cases.

Other counties’ new cases were: Baker (3), Benton (14), Clackamas (72), Clatsop (13), Columbia (13), Coos (4), Crook (8), Curry (5), Deschutes (35), Douglas (63), Gilliam (1), Grant (1),  Harney (2), Hood River (4), Jackson (107), Jefferson (19), Josephine (19), Klamath (18), Lake (2), Lane (92), Lincoln (13), Linn (27), Malheur (9),  Morrow (4), Multnomah (74), Tillamook (3), Umatilla (112), Union (19), Wallowa (3), Wasco (9), Washington (98) and Yamhill (30).

There were 259 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 Tuesday, which is 52 more than on Monday, and the highest number since May 28.

Of those, 77 were in intensive care and 36 were on ventilators.

“Today’s reported sharp rise in confirmed and presumptive cases and in hospitalizations in Oregon are sobering reminders that the pandemic is not over, especially for Oregonians who remain unvaccinated,” said Dr. Dean Sidelinger, state epidemiologist and state health officer.

“The highly contagious Delta variant has increased tenfold in the past two weeks in Oregon, and it is now estimated to be associated with 80% of the new cases in Oregon," Sidelinger said.

“OHA continues to encourage all Oregonians who are eligible to make a plan to get vaccinated as soon as possible,” he said. “We are also reviewing updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to assess opportunities for alignment in Oregon based on the increased cases and hospitalizations we are facing here in Oregon.”

Oregon has administered an average of 4,594  COVID-19 vaccine doses per day over the past week.

As of Tuesday, 2.3 million people in Oregon had completed a vaccine series, and 174,105 had received at least one dose.

Newly reported deaths were:

  • An 87-year-old woman from Lane County who tested positive on July 22 and died on July 24 at McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.
  • An 84-year-old man from Lane County who tested positive on July 12 and died on July 23 at McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.
  • A 95-year-old woman from Marion County who tested positive on July 16 and died on July 25 at Salem Hospital. She had underlying conditions.
  • A 58-year-old man from Polk County who tested positive on July 15 and died on July 24 at Salem Hospital. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.
  • A 90-year-old man from Josephine County who tested positive on July 15 and died on July 25 at Asante Three Rivers Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

OHA does not report the vaccination status of people in its daily update of COVID-19 related deaths. However, it reports that statewide data show that people who remain unvaccinated are at much greater risk of infection and severe illness.

COVID-19 by the numbers

Here's the most recent data from the Oregon Health Authority, as of Tuesday, July 27.

  • 2,843: People who have died from COVID-19.
  • 216,875: Total cases of COVID-19.
  • 259: COVID-19 patients in hospitals.

Oregon COVID-19 cases by county

Here are the number of cases, both tested positive and presumptive, and deaths as of Tuesday, July 27.

  • Baker: 1,063 cases, 17 deaths.
  • Benton: 3,421 cases, 22 deaths.
  • Clackamas: 19,775 cases, 241 deaths.
  • Clatsop: 1,137 cases, 10 deaths.
  • Columbia: 2,067 cases, 32 deaths.
  • Coos: 2,276 cases, 39 deaths.
  • Crook: 1,379 cases, 24 deaths.
  • Curry: 764 cases, 12 deaths.
  • Deschutes: 10,453 cases, 87 deaths.
  • Douglas: 4,358 cases, 87 deaths.
  • Gilliam: 85 cases, 1 death.
  • Grant: 558 cases, 7 deaths.
  • Harney: 453 cases, 11 deaths.
  • Hood River: 1,253 cases, 34 deaths.
  • Jackson: 12,323 cases, 151 deaths.
  • Jefferson: 2,482 cases, 42 deaths.
  • Josephine: 4,046 cases, 75 deaths.
  • Klamath: 4,924 cases, 79 deaths.
  • Lake: 487 cases, 8 deaths.
  • Lane: 14,645 cases, 173 deaths.
  • Lincoln: 1,526 cases, 22 deaths.
  • Linn: 6,166 cases, 81 deaths.
  • Malheur: 3,657 cases, 67 deaths.
  • Marion: 24,327 cases, 330 deaths.
  • Morrow: 1,213 cases, 17 deaths.
  • Multnomah: 41,554 cases, 618 deaths.
  • Polk: 4,257 cases, 57 deaths.
  • Sherman: 77 cases, 2 deaths.
  • Tillamook: 738 cases, 5 deaths.
  • Umatilla: 9,342 cases, 92 deaths.
  • Union: 1,630 cases, 24 deaths.
  • Wallowa: 218 cases, 6 deaths.
  • Wasco: 1,515 cases, 31 deaths.
  • Washington: 27,645 cases, 257 deaths.
  • Wheeler: 36 cases, 1 death.
  • Yamhill: 5,025 cases, 81 deaths.

Source: Oregon Health Authority