Reports of new Covid cases decreased 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. 24, Salem Hospital had 25 inpatients with Covid. Of those, four were in the ICU and two were on a ventilator.
403 of the 415 adult acute and critical care beds were in use, or 97%.
480 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 23 and 37 over the past week, according to Lisa Wood, Salem Health spokeswoman. Last week, the daily number was between 17 and 22.
Region 2, which is Marion, Polk, Yamhill, Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties, had 33 people hospitalized with Covid as of Feb. 22, compared with 28 the week prior and 36 two weeks ago.
CASES
For the week ending Feb. 22, the average daily number of new Covid cases reported decreased statewide and in Marion and Polk Counties, compared to the week prior.
Marion County: 34.85 new Covid cases per day on average, a rate of 70.3 cases per 100,000 residents.
That’s down from 47.29 average daily cases last week and 39.4 two weeks ago.
9.1% of Covid tests this week were positive, down from 13.5% last week and 12.5% two weeks ago
The Oregon Health Authority reported four newly identified deaths of a county resident with Covid in the past week.
Polk County: 7.8 new Covid cases per day on average, a rate of 61.9 cases per 100,000 residents.
That’s down from 11 average daily cases last week and 9.2 two weeks ago.
11.2% of Covid tests this week were positive, down from 11.4% last week.
The Oregon Health Authority reported zero newly identified deaths of a county resident with Covid in the past week.
Oregon: 368 new cases per day on average, down from 408 average daily cases last week and 385 two weeks ago; 10% of tests were positive, unchanged from 10% 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.
Contact reporter Abbey McDonald: [email protected] or 503-704-0355.
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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.
