Reports of new Covid cases increased statewide and in Marion and Polk Counties this week.
In December, Gov. Kate Brown issued several executive orders intended to provide more resources to health care facilities amid a sustained surge of Covid, flu and RSV cases.
HOSPITAL CAPACITY
As of Friday, Feb. 3, Salem Hospital had 23 inpatients with Covid. Of those, one was in the ICU and none were on a ventilator.
392 of the 415 adult acute and critical care beds were in use, or 94%.
455 total hospital beds were in use on Friday. The hospital recently expanded its licensed bed capacity from 494 to 644 with the addition of a new tower, but that total includes every potential licensed bed at Salem Hospital including those dedicated to specific uses, like pediatrics, inpatient psychiatry, and labor and delivery.
The daily number of hospitalized Covid patients has remained between 18 and 26 over the past week, according to Lisa Wood, Salem Health spokeswoman. Last week, the daily number was between 14 and 21.
Region 2, which is Marion, Polk, Yamhill, Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties, had 34 people hospitalized with Covid as of Feb. 1, compared with 26 the week prior and 43 two weeks ago.
CASES
For the week ending Feb. 1, the average daily number of new Covid cases reported increased statewide and in Marion and Polk Counties, compared to the week prior.
Marion County: 37.9 new Covid cases per day on average, a rate of 76.3 cases per 100,000 residents.
That’s up from 34.1 average daily cases last week and 35.1 two weeks ago.
10.9% of Covid tests this week were positive, up from 10.2% last week and 10.4% two weeks ago.
The Oregon Health Authority reported five newly identified deaths of county residents with Covid in the past week.
Polk County: 8.6 new Covid cases per day on average, a rate of 67.5 cases per 100,000 residents.
That’s up from 8.1 average daily cases last week and down from 10.4 two weeks ago.
10.4% of Covid tests this week were positive, down from 11.7% last week.
The Oregon Health Authority reported two newly identified deaths of a county resident with Covid in the past week.
Oregon: 335 new cases per day on average, up from 290 average daily cases last week and 331 two weeks ago; 8.8% of tests were positive, up from 7.6% last week.
VACCINATION AND BREAKTHROUGH CASES
The Oregon Health Authority has a data dashboard showing trends in cases, hospitalizations and deaths by vaccination status.
The most recent data as of Dec. 25 shows Covid infection, hospitalization and death rates continue to be highest among Oregonians not vaccinated against Covid compared with those vaccinated as recommended, which includes a booster shot.
Hospitalization rates in December were six per 100,000 unvaccinated adults, compared with two per 100,000 vaccinated as recommended.
The data will next be published in mid-February.
Contact reporter Abbey McDonald: [email protected] or 503-704-0355.
SUBSCRIBE TO GET SALEM NEWS – We report on your community with care and depth, fairness and accuracy. Get local news that matters to you. Subscribe today to get our daily newsletters and more. Click I want to subscribe!
Abbey McDonald joined the Salem Reporter in 2022. She previously worked as the business reporter at The Astorian, where she covered labor issues, health care and social services. A University of Oregon grad, she has also reported for the Malheur Enterprise, The News-Review and Willamette Week.
