Reports of new Covid cases increased slightly this week in Marion and Polk Counties, and decreased statewide.
HOSPITAL CAPACITY
As of Friday, April 14, Salem Hospital had four inpatients with Covid. Of those, two were in the ICU and one was on a ventilator.
370 of the 415 adult acute and critical care beds were in use, or 90%.
448 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 four and seven over the past week, according to Lisa Wood, Salem Health spokeswoman. Last week, the daily number was between six and nine.
Region 2, which is Marion, Polk, Yamhill, Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties, had 12 people hospitalized with Covid as of April 11, compared with 19 last week and 32 two weeks ago.
CASES
For the week ending April 12, the average daily number of new Covid cases reported increased in Marion and Polk Counties and decreased statewide compared to the previous week.
Marion County: 10.7 new Covid cases per day on average, a rate of 21.6 cases per 100,000 residents.
That’s up from 9.3 average daily cases last week and down from 16.3 two weeks ago.
5.6% of Covid tests this week were positive, down from 7.8% last week and 7.9% two weeks ago.
The Oregon Health Authority reported one newly identified death of a county resident with Covid in the past week.
Polk County: 3.9 new Covid cases per day on average, a rate of 30.4 cases per 100,000 residents.
That’s up from two average daily cases last week and 3.4 two weeks ago.
4.2% of Covid tests this week were positive, up slightly from 4.1% last week.
The Oregon Health Authority reported one newly identified death of a county resident with Covid in the past week.
Oregon: 192 new cases per day on average, down from 203 average daily cases last week and 250 two weeks ago; 12.2% of tests were positive, up from 8.1% 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.
