Reports of new Covid cases decreased statewide and in Marion and Polk Counties this week.
HOSPITAL CAPACITY
As of Friday, March 17, Salem Hospital had 19 inpatients with Covid. Of those, two were in the ICU and two were on a ventilator.
394 of the 415 adult acute and critical care beds were in use, or 95%.
459 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 ranged between 15 and 21 over the past week, according to Lisa Wood, Salem Health spokeswoman. Last week, the daily number was between 18 and 24.
Region 2, which is Marion, Polk, Yamhill, Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties, had 28 people hospitalized with Covid as of March 15, compared with 30 last week and 39 two weeks ago.
CASES
For the week ending March 15, the average daily number of new Covid cases reported decreased statewide and in Marion and Polk Counties compared to the previous week.
Marion County: 23.4 new Covid cases per day on average, a rate of 47.2 cases per 100,000 residents.
That’s down from 28.9 average daily cases last week and 26 two weeks ago.
8.1% of Covid tests this week were positive, down from 9.8% last week and 8.1% two weeks ago.
The Oregon Health Authority reported four newly identified deaths of a county resident with Covid in the past week.
Polk County: 6.7 new Covid cases per day on average, a rate of 52.9 cases per 100,000 residents.
That’s down from 7.6 average daily cases last week and 7.3 two weeks ago.
7.2% of Covid tests this week were positive, down from 9.1% last week.
The Oregon Health Authority reported zero newly identified deaths of a county resident with Covid in the past week.
Oregon: 289 new cases per day on average, down from 305 average daily cases last week and 315 two weeks ago; 8% of tests were positive, down from 9.4% 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.
