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May 26, 2021
Dear Neighbors and Friends,
I hope that you and your loved ones are doing well, staying healthy, and looking out for your neighbors and friends in these difficult times.
The newly-released Weekly COVID Data and Outbreak Reports show that the recent declines in cases and positivity that we’ve been experiencing here in Oregon are continuing. We see them in today’s reported metrics as well.
However, we’re also seeing big jumps in reported COVID variants over the last week. They are believed to be the sources of many of the new, more virulent infections in younger people. We’re also seeing the number of new vaccinations each day continuing to slip somewhat.
On the good-news front, you’ll see a link to a story about new studies showing that the power of the antibodies generated both by infection and by vaccination live on longer than had first been thought. We may not need boosters as soon as had earlier been thought.
Please stay safe and let me know if you have any questions about information in today’s newsletter.
TODAY’S CORONAVIRUS AND CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE UPDATE
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New COVID Cases: OHA reports 399 new COVID cases today. The cumulative number of cases in Oregon since the beginning of the pandemic is 199,784.
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Variant COVID Cases: OHA has just released updated variant case counts: 983 (up from 716) cases of the B.1.1.7 (UK) variant, 142 cases (up from 78) of the P.1 (Brazilian) variant, and 80 (up from 56) cases of the B.1.351 (South African) variant. In addition, we are now seeing 257 (up from 237) cases of the B.1.427 variant, and 688 (up from 631) of the B.1.429 variant. OHA is now producing a Variant Tableau dashboard providing current variant case numbers for the state as a whole and for various parts of the state.
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Positive Test Results: OHA reported 580 positive tests today. The cumulative total of positive test results since the beginning of the pandemic is now 289,885.
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Total Tests: OHA reported an additional 13,629 tests today. Our cumulative total of reported tests is now 5,084,865.
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Positivity Rate: The test positivity ratio for Oregon today is 4.3%.
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Hospitalization Information:
- Patients Currently with Confirmed COVID-19: 273 (1 fewer than yesterday)
- ICU Patients Confirmed w COVID-19: 77 (2 more than yesterday).
- Available ICU Beds: 146 (2 more than yesterday)
- Other Available Beds: 467 (27 fewer than yesterday).
- Confirmed COVID-19 Patients Currently on Ventilators: 38 (1 more than yesterday).
- Available Ventilators: 781 (3 fewer than yesterday).
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Deaths: I’m sorry to report 11 additional COVID deaths today. The total number of COVID deaths in Oregon is now 2,639.
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Vaccinations:
- As of the end of yesterday, here are the latest numbers:
- New Immunizations Reported Today: 27,555
- 14,972 were conducted and reported yesterday
- 12,583 were conducted earlier, but the reports were received yesterday (there can potentially be a three-day window for reporting)
- The 7-day running average is now 29,993 doses per day.
- Total First and Second Doses Administered So Far: 3,837,817
- 2,138,048 Pfizer doses
- 1,561,197 Moderna doses
- 136,794 Johnson & Johnson doses
- Total Oregonians vaccinated so far: 2,194,351
- 1,771,880 now fully vaccinated with two doses
- To date, 4,996,365 doses of vaccine have been delivered to sites across Oregon. (That’s 37,600 more than yesterday, for a total of 250,130 additional doses so far week.)
- 77.8% of these doses have been administered so far. The national average is now 80.4%.
- 53.6% of Oregonians have received at least one dose (61.2% of those 16 and older, 64.4% of those 18+, which is the CDC standard).
- 43.3% of Oregonians are now fully vaccinated (50.6% of those 16 and older).
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Additional Brief Updates:
- Two newly-released studies are indicating that immunity to COVID both from having had the disease and from vaccination may be long-lasting and boosters may not be needed. There are obviously many people who have been in recovery from the disease for well over a year and some many who were involved in trials beginning nine months ago who are continuing to display disease-fighting antibodies. Here's more.
- The Oregonian’s Doug Perry takes a close look at the social-media assertions that thousands have died from having been given the COVID vaccine. In fact, we have yet to see a single death proven to have been caused by the vaccine.
- The Associated Press has a story on strategies some schools are taking to motivate their students to get vaccinated.
- According to the CDC, half of all adults are now fully vaccinated. More than 60% have received at least one shot. (That’s true of nearly 65% here in Oregon.)
- The McKinsey American Opportunity Survey reveals 10 insights into the unequal nature of economic opportunity today.It looks at the effects of the pandemic but also deeper-seated manifestations. It’s long but quite interesting.
- We received word this afternoon that the Governor was about to veto a bill that I chief-sponsored, SB 574, the bill to allow motorcyclists to “lane filter” (i.e., move between lanes) under limited circumstances when traffic had stopped or nearly stopped. I’ve explained in earlier newsletters why this practice would improve safety and reduce congestion, but the Governor decided to follow other advice. This was a bill that was widely supported (3/5 support in the Senate, more than 2/3 in the House), with legislative leaders coming from different parties, ideologies, and parts of the state. The Governor obviously has the responsibility of acting to promote public safety, and I generally agree with her actions towards that end. This time I think she’s making a mistake. Here's more from OPB.
Weekly COVID Data and Outbreak Reports Released: More Declines
The Oregon Health Authority’s COVID-19 Weekly Report, released today, shows decreases in daily cases, hospitalizations and deaths from the previous week.
- OHA reported 3,090 new daily cases of COVID-19 during the week of Monday, May 17, through Sunday, May 23. That’s a 25% decrease from the previous week.
- New COVID-19 related hospitalizations fell to 224, down from 265 last week and the lowest figure in five weeks. (However, those numbers have risen again in the last few days.)
- Reported COVID-19 related deaths fell to 34, down from 57 last week.
- There were 107,233 tests for COVID-19 for the week of May 16 through May 22 — a 4% increase from last week.
- The percentage of positive tests fell from 6.4% to 5.4%.
Today’s COVID-19 Weekly Outbreak Report shows 32 active COVID-19 outbreaks in senior living communities and congregate living settings, another small reduction from previous weeks and much, much lower than was the case in the year.
12/9/20 191 facilities
1/13/21 202 facilities
2/10/21 116 facilities
3/10/21 44 facilities
4/14/21 24 facilities
4/21/21 24 facilities
4/28/21 34 facilities
5/5/21 42 facilities
5/12/21 42 facilities
5/19/21 40 facilities
5/26/21 32 facilities
The Outbreak Report also includes the latest data on COVID in workplaces, childcare centers, and public and private K-12 schools.
OHA Releases More Information About “Vaccine Sections”
For counties in Lower Risk, vaccinated sections at businesses, venues and faith institutions will now see the following changes:
- Fully vaccinated individuals ages 16 and older who have proof that they are fully vaccinated will not have to worry about capacity limits or physically distance if the facility chooses to create designated vaccinated sections.
- Businesses, venues and faith institutions retain the ability to require additional safety protocols within their vaccinated sections.
- All children up to age 15 wearing a face covering will be permitted in vaccinated sections if they are accompanied by a fully vaccinated parent or guardian.
- Unvaccinated sections must continue to use masks, physically distance, and abide by capacity limits.
Unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or individuals whose vaccination status has not been confirmed will continue to count towards the capacity limits identified in the guidance.
Fully vaccinated individuals in areas designated only for fully vaccinated individuals do not count toward capacity limits. To be eligible for this allowance, establishments must confirm the vaccination status of fully vaccinated individuals.
You can see more on Risk Levels on the updated chart. Read more about this in the Oregon Vaccine News blog.
Where Are Today’s Cases?
If we put together the positive test results and new “presumptive cases” reported today, the overall number of new cases reported is 399. Here is today’s breakdown by county:
Baker (3)
Benton (11)
Clackamas (60)
Columbia (4)
Coos (1)
Crook (3)
Crook (5)
Curry (2)
Deschutes (38)
Douglas (20)
Harney (4)
Hood River (2)
Jackson (29)
Jefferson (4)
Josephine (13)
Klamath (9)
Lake (1)
Lane (24)
Lincoln (1)
Linn (18)
Malheur (4)
Marion (43)
Morrow (2)
Multnomah (58)
Polk (2)
Tillamook (1)
Umatilla (6)
Wasco (3)
Washington (28)
Yamhill (5)
And the Deaths:
OHA reported 11 COVID deaths today, but many of them were likely from earlier times. They are now being researched and should be available tomorrow morning for individual reporting.
Want to See Past Newsletters?
If there was COVID-related information in a past newsletter that you want to go back to, but find you’ve deleted it, you can always go to my legislative website (senatordembrow.com), click on “News and Information,” and you’ll find them all there. Also, if someone forwarded you this newsletter and you’d like to get it directly, you can sign up for it there.
AND FINALLY,
Here again are some resources that you will find useful
If the above links are not providing you with answers to your questions or directing you to the help that you need, please consider me and my office to be a resource. We’ll do our best to assist you or steer you in the right direction.
Best,
 Senator Michael Dembrow
District 23
email: Sen.MichaelDembrow@oregonlegislature.gov
web: www.senatordembrow.com
phone: 503-281-0608
mail: 900 Court St NE, S-407, Salem, OR, 97301
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