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September 30, 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 during this past week.
As you’ll see from the reports, graphs, and linked articles in tonight’s newsletter, COVID cases continue to decline in Oregon, though more slowly than before. Hospitalizations fortunately are continuing to decline in nearly every part of the state, especially in the hard-hit region of Southern Oregon (especially Jackson and Josephine counties), reflecting the decline in new cases that began a couple of weeks ago there. Deaths, unfortunately continue to be high. As a lagging indicator of the disease trajectory, deaths will continue at high levels for quite some time.
That’s particularly the case among unvaccinated middle-aged and younger Oregonians, who are now the majority of those dying of COVID in Oregon. I took a look at the ages of those whose COVID deaths were reported in the past week. The results are both interesting and sad.
You may remember that in the period before vaccines were available, the great majority (generally around 75%) of COVID deaths were among those 70 and above. Vaccines have made a huge difference now that approximately 90% of those in that age range have been vaccinated. While 80% of breakthrough deaths (i.e., among those who have been fully vaccinated) are among those age 70 and above, this age group constituted just 45% of all COVID deaths last week. 55% of those who died were Oregonians in their 60s and younger. As you’ll see at the end of the newsletter, the largest single age group for COVID deaths last week were those in their 60s (4/5s of whom were not vaccinated).
By the way, it’s not entirely clear why the declines have slowed. According to last week’s OHA COVID Forecast, we’re seeing “a slow increase in high-risk behaviors and protocol fatigue.” That may be the reason. Events like the Pendleton Roundup and those related to return to college and school (especially where athletics are involved apparently) may also be contributing.
Though Oregonians in general are actually continuing to do a better job of masking and social distancing than most, we are starting to see “fatigue” with these precautions. Today’s OHSU report (also discussed and linked below) is seeing the same thing. Let’s hope that people can remain cautious and careful as the cold weather and rain return.
The biggest piece of COVID news in the last week was the decision on Friday to allow Pfizer boosters not only for seniors and those with serious medical conditions, but also for those working in front-line occupations that put them at higher risk of infection. If you’re wondering which specific workers that means, we’ve been told to think back to those in Groups 1a and 1b when vaccines were first rolled out in the winter. It’s been six months or more since they had their second doses of the Pfizer vaccine. Here’s more info about boosters in Oregon: https://covidvaccine.oregon.gov/
In tonight’s newsletter, you’ll also find my comments on the final days of the redistricting process—both my perspective and what it means for me.
And a link to this Saturday morning’s monthly Constituent Coffee!
Until next week, please stay healthy and safe, and let me know if you have any questions about information in tonight’s newsletter.
It's Constituent Coffee Time!!!
Saturday is the first Saturday of the month, so October 2, 9:00-10:30 a.m., will be our next zoom coffee.
It’ll be a chance to hear my take (and your take) on redistricting, the latest on COVID and the state’s response, and the latest on the 2022 session and the bills that are already in preparation, and of course a chance for you to share your priorities and questions.
Hope to see you there! You can register here.
TODAY’S CORONAVIRUS AND CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE UPDATE
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New COVID Cases: OHA reports 1,896 new COVID cases today (vs. 1,836 last Thursday). That’s an average of 1,591 per day for the 7 days since the last newsletter (vs. 1,592 per day the previous week). The cumulative number of cases in Oregon since the beginning of the pandemic is 330,054.
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Variant COVID Cases:
- OHA is now showing us not only this week’s variant cases but the growth of the different variants in Oregon over time. You can see in the graph above just how the Delta variant has come to dominate cases here in Oregon. It is updated every Wednesday.
- OHA’s Variant Dashboard provides current and new variant case numbers for the state as a whole but also for different parts of the state. It too is updated each Wednesday.
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Positive Test Results: OHA reported 2,370 positive test results today (vs. 2,193 a week ago). That’s an average of 1,986 per day for the seven days since the last newsletter (vs. 1,984 per day the previous week). The cumulative total of positive test results since the beginning of the pandemic is now 454,433.
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Total Tests: OHA reported an additional 26,632 tests today (vs. 27,407 a week ago). That’s an average of 22,049 per day for the seven days since the last newsletter (vs. 21,920 for the previous week). Our cumulative total of reported tests is 6,959,106.
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Positivity Rate: The test positivity ratio for Oregon today was 8.9% (vs. 8.0% a week ago). That’s again an average of 9.1% per day for the seven days since the last newsletter (it was 9.1% per day for the previous week).
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Hospitalization Information:
- Patients Currently with Confirmed COVID-19: 816 (69 fewer than last newsletter)
- ICU Patients Confirmed w COVID-19: 231 (32 fewer than last newsletter.)
- Confirmed COVID-19 Patients Currently on Ventilators: 131 (32 fewer than last newsletter)
- Available Ventilators: 798 (27 more than last newsletter).
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Hospital Capacity:
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Deaths: I’m sorry to report 20 additional COVID deaths today (vs. 12 last Thursday). That’s an average of 18.5 per day for the week since the last newsletter (vs. 16 per day the previous week). The total number of COVID deaths in Oregon is 3,791.
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Vaccinations:
- Today’s seven-day running average is 7,270 doses per day (unfortunately, down from 7,714).
- Total First and Second Doses Administered So Far: 5,109,202
- 2,985,884 Pfizer/Comimaty vaccines
- 1,904,960 Moderna vaccines
- 215,138 Johnson & Johnson vaccines
- Total Oregonians vaccinated so far: 2,737,724 (up by 19,806)
- 2,508,807 now fully vaccinated with two doses (up by 50,631)
- 66.6% of all Oregonians have received at least one dose (78.2% of those 18 and older, 76.7% of those 12 and older, 90.9% of those 65 and older).***
- 60.8% of all Oregonians are now fully vaccinated (71.7% of those 18 and older, 70.1% of those 12 and older, 86.2% of those 65 and older).***
- For more details, including the demographics of those receiving the vaccine and the number of vaccinations by county, go to the OHA vaccinations dashboard.
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Bloomberg News provides a wealth of easy-to-read information on the trajectory of vaccinations—by state, nationally, and internationally.
Additional Brief Updates and Links
Redistricting Special Session Concludes with Compromise Maps—What It Means for Me
When I last wrote, the redistricting special session was still in process, delayed by COVID and a lack of agreement on the Congressional map. The two sides were publicly very far apart at that point, though discussions about a possible compromise were going on behind the scenes. It appeared that there was going to agreement over what was posted Saturday morning as the -3 amendments to SB 881, but in the end the House Republican caucus was not supportive and refused to attend the floor session on Saturday afternoon. The Oregon Constitution requires us to have 2/3 of our body on the floor to convene a session, and without some Republicans that wouldn’t be possible. In short, we were faced with another walkout.
We in the Senate spent the day ready to convene a floor session on Saturday, first at noon, then at 3 pm, then at 5 pm. Although we had already passed SB 881 and SB 882, if there were amendments to SB 881, we would need to come in and concur with them. However, there would not be a vote that day. The Speaker of the House called it quits for the day and set the next floor session for Monday, the last day that the Legislature could act on redistricting. If a vote could not be held and bills passed in both chambers by the end of Monday, the legislative map would go to the Secretary of State for action, and the congressional map would go to a panel of judges appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
By the time Monday morning arrived, it became clear that Republicans preferred to go with the compromise congressional map and the legislative map that had been passed by the Senate rather than take their chances with the Secretary of State and the panel of judges. They weren’t what the Republicans would have proposed themselves (or did propose), but they were responsive to public concerns about the earlier maps, and analysts rated them fair overall. After many speeches on the House floor, the congressional map was passed and sent over to the Senate for concurrence. We did that in short order. The House eventually passed the legislative map as well, and both were promptly signed by the Governor.
Despite the angst and the drama, at the end of the day, the Legislature was able to do its job and vote out maps for the second time in a row and only the third time in our state’s history. As it turned out, Oregon was the first state in the nation to complete its redistricting.
Anyone can bring a legal challenge against the maps, and they have till the end of October to do so. But I think it’s extremely unlikely that any challenges will be upheld. I believe that if there is a challenge, the courts will find that the maps comply with all the legal requirements for redistricting.
One of the effects of the new legislative maps is that the new boundaries remove some of us from the districts that we currently represent. In some cases two current members from the same party will now live in the same district, in others two current members from different parties. They’ll have to decide if they want to run against each other or move their residence, or decide not to run again. I suspect we’ll see all three happening.
House members will have to decide relatively soon what they want to do. They have two-year terms and are all up for reelection in 2022, and they will be running for seats in the new districts. They’ll need to file for election in March for the May primary.
Senators have four-year terms Half of them are up for reelection in 2022 and the other half in 2024. The former face the same choices as House members; the latter will continue to represent their current districts until the end of 2024, even if they no longer live in that district.
I myself am in this latter situation. SB 882 moves my street from HD 23 to HD 22 (represented by Senator Lew Frederick, who was also just reelected in 2020 and will continue to represent HD 22 until the end of 2024). For me, the choice is an easy one: I already announced last year that my 2020 campaign would be my last. For others, the decisions will be more difficult.
The good news is that I get to finish my career representing the good people of SD 23—and being represented by Lew Frederick!
OHA Releases Latest County Metrics: Declines Overall, with Exceptions
Though it’s no longer assigning risk levels to counties, OHA is still reporting weekly increases/decreases in COVID spread for each county and for the state as a whole.
The report shows our statewide infection rate and test positivity rates continuing to decline, though more slowly, and most counties remain at the Extreme Risk levels. Only tiny Wheeler County is not showing High rates.
Whereas last week we saw the rates in nearly every county declining, this week many are showing increases. This trend is most dramatic in our “frontier” counties of Grant, Harney, Umatilla, and Wallowa. (There is some speculation that the recent Pendleton Roundup is the cause of many of these new infections.)
Aside from Wheeler County, Washington County is the county with the lowest infection rate, followed by Multnomah County. Benton County has seen an increase in transmission, but that may be due to an increase in testing—their test positivity rate is very low (3.1%), the lowest in the state (aside from Wheeler with 0%).
I’m pleased to report that the rates in Douglas, Josephine, and Jackson Counties have continued their declines.
Weekly COVID Data and Outbreaks Report Released: Case Declines Continue
The Oregon Health Authority’s COVID-19 Weekly Report, released today, shows decreases in daily cases, hospitalizations and deaths.
- OHA reported 11,410 new cases of COVID-19 during the week of Monday, Sept. 20 through Sunday, Sept. 26. That represents a 2.1% decrease from the previous week, despite a 13% increase in testing. This seems to reflect a slowing down of reductions.
- Newly reported cases have now fallen for four consecutive weeks. The incidence of reported COVID-19 continues to be higher in Oregon counties with lower vaccination rates.
- There were 512 new COVID-19 hospitalizations, down from 579 last week, which marks a 12% reduction and the third consecutive week of declines.
- There were 115 reported COVID-19 related deaths, down from 148 reported the previous week.
- There were 159,442 tests for COVID-19 for the week of Sept. 19 through Sept. 25.
- The percentage of positive tests was 8.9%, down from 10.5% the previous week.
Today’s COVID-19 Weekly Outbreak Report shows 186 active COVID-19 outbreaks in senior living communities and congregate living settings. As you can see, the number of outbreaks has pretty much stabilized over the last four weeks after having surged from where we had been in early August.
1/13/21 202 facilities
2/10/21 116 facilities
3/10/21 44 facilities
4/14/21 24 facilities
5/12/21 42 facilities
6/09/21 19 facilities
7/8/21 22 facilities
8/4/21 33 facilities
9/1/21 144 facilities
9/9/21 188 facilities
9/16/21 182 facilities
9/22/21 187 facilities
9/29/21 186 facilities
Statewide, these outbreaks have unfortunately resulted in an increasing number of deaths of residents (though fortunately nothing like what we were seeing pre-vaccination):
8/4 1,374 (pandemic total)
8/11 1,385 (pandemic total) +11
8/18 1,401 (pandemic total) +16
8/25 1,419 (pandemic total) +18
9/1 1,441 (pandemic total) +22
9/9 1,468 (pandemic total) +27
9/15 1,492 (pandemic total) +24
9/22 1,521 (Pandemic total) +29
9/29 1,547 (Pandemic total) +26
The Outbreak Report also includes the latest data on COVID in workplaces, childcare centers, and public and private K-12 schools. As you’ll see in the report, the number of cases in schools has increased substantially since school reopened. You’ll find more details about this increase in the linked news articles above.
COVID Pediatric Dashboard Updated
OHA released its latest dashboard report of pediatric COVID-19 case data in Oregon this afternoon.
Here are some key findings:
- Pediatric COVID rates have risen dramatically since July.
- The rates among children under the age of six are much smaller than those ages 6-17.
- Rates among children of color are disproportionately higher than among White Oregonians.
 Weekly Breakthrough Case Report: Fewer Cases Are Breakthroughs, More Among the Unvaccinated
OHA’s most recent update on COVID-19 breakthrough cases, released today, found that 79.2% of the 11,567 reported COVID-19 cases between Sept. 19 through Sept. 25 occurred in people who were unvaccinated. There were 2,401 breakthrough cases, accounting for 20.8% of all cases. That’s a reduction of 2.4% from last week’s 23.2% breakthrough rate.
The latest breakthrough report can be found here.
Sixty-eight breakthrough cases involved residents of care facilities, senior living communities or other congregate care settings. There were 85 breakthrough cases in people aged 12 to 17.
To date, there have been 25,347 COVID-19 cases among those who’ve been fully vaccinated here in Oregon. That’s less than 1% of the 330,054 cases of COVID in this state.
The report shows that the rate of COVID-19 in unvaccinated people is currently approximately five times higher than in vaccinated people (up from four times in previous reports).
To date, 4.6% of all vaccine breakthrough cases have been hospitalized and 0.9% have died.
The average age of vaccinated people who died was 80.5. More than 80% of vaccine breakthrough deaths have occurred in patients 70 years and older.
OHA reports that the proportion of vaccine breakthrough cases who died with COVID-19 has increased over time. They provide several potential explanations for this increase: increased COVID-19 transmission in our communities, increased disease severity associated with infection caused by the Delta variant, and waning immunity over time in elderly populations.
As you’ll see in the section of the newsletter focusing on death over the last week, the majority of deaths that we’re seeing from COVID now are among those under the age of 70, nearly all of whom were unvaccinated when they died. Vaccines continue to make a real difference.
Last Friday’s OHA Forecast Shows Ongoing Decrease in Transmission, But Less So
Last Friday the Oregon Health Authority released its latest COVID-19 forecast, which projects a slowing in the decline in daily cases and hospitalizations through mid-October.
According to the report, the effective reproduction rate – the expected number of secondary cases that a single case generates – was estimated at 0.91 on Sept. 8, which is higher than last week’s projection (0.79 on September 1). But the model still projects a decline in the estimated growth of new cases and hospitalizations over last week’s modeling scenario.
At that level of transmission, the report estimates 495 cases per 100,000 people, or an average of 1,480 daily cases and 81 hospitalizations for the two-week period between Sept. 29 and Oct. 12.
The modeling report also estimated the potential impact of a 20% increase in transmission.
Under that scenario, there would be an increase in newly diagnosed cases and hospitalizations, with an estimated average of 685 per 100,000 people, projecting an estimated average of 2,050 new cases and 118 hospitalizations over the same period.
Our current case rate, as reported in yesterday’s OHA weekly report, is between those two scenarios—1,630 per day.
The report also indicates that hospitals across the state are seeing declines in COVID-19 hospitalizations. However, COVID-19 bed occupancy levels remain higher than during previous surges.
The report also notes a slow increase in high-risk behaviors and protocol fatigue (i.e., less social distancing and masking).
You’ll find more details about this trend and our current situation in this week’s OHSU Forecast, led by Dr. Peter Graven.
New Graph Shows Running Vaccination Averages Since Beginning of Vaccination Effort
The overview tab of the Oregon COVID-19 Vaccine Daily Update dashboard includes tables which show the current 7-day running averages for total doses administered and people initiated. A new graph has been added to show these running averages over time since the beginning of the vaccination effort.
The running average for total doses administered accounts for all doses administered in Oregon, regardless of dose number (dose one versus dose two versus dose three, etc.). The running average for “people initiated” accounts for any person who received at least one shot of any COVID-19 vaccine.
The new graph will look like this example below:
From OHA: New Variant Classification Added to OHA Daily Data Update and Variant Counts Dashboards
Starting this week, OHA’s COVID-19 Daily Data Update and Variant Counts dashboards will include the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s new classification of SARS-CoV-2 variants, designated as “Variants Being Monitored (VBM).”
This classification includes variants previously designated as Variants of Interest (VOIs) or Variants of Concern (VOCs) that are no longer detected or are circulating at very low levels in the U.S., and do not pose a significant or imminent risk to public health in this country.
Variant classification scheme defines four classes of SARS-CoV-2 variants:
There has been some recent movement of variants among classifications, including:
- Alpha (B.1.1.7, Q.1-Q.8), Beta (B.1.351, B.1.351.2, B.1.351.3), and Gamma (P.1, P.1.1, P.1.2) have been downgraded from Variants of Concern to Variants Being Monitored based on significant and sustained reduction in national and regional proportions.
- Eta (B.1.525), Iota (B.1.526), Kappa (B.1.617.1) and B.1.617.3 have been downgraded from Variants of Interest to Variants Being Monitored based on significant and sustained reduction in national and regional proportions.
- Additional Variants Being Monitored include Epsilon (B.1.427 and B.1.429) and Zeta (P.2) based on their previous classification as Variants of Concern or Variants of Interest.
To date, no Variants of High Consequence have been identified in the United States
And the Deaths:
Here is information about all of the 130 deaths (up from 114) that OHA has reported for the week since September 23:
Friday, September 24
Oregon’s 3,662nd COVID-19 related death is a 67-year-old man from Douglas County who tested positive on Sept. 18 and died on Sept. 21 at his residence.
Oregon’s 3,663rd COVID-19 related death is a 45-year-old woman from Douglas County who tested positive on Sept.12 and died on Sept. 23 at Oregon Health and Science University Hospital.
Oregon’s 3,664th COVID-19 related death is a 94-year-old woman from Douglas County who tested positive on Sept. 1 and died on Sept. 9 at her residence.
Oregon’s 3,665th COVID-19 related death is an 86-year-old woman from Douglas County who tested positive on Aug. 30 and died on Sept. 17 at her residence.
Oregon’s 3,666th COVID-19 related death is an 89-year-old man from Douglas County who tested positive on Aug. 2 and died on Sept. 4 at his residence.
Oregon’s 3,667th COVID-19 related death is a 45-year-old man from Douglas County who tested positive on Aug. 21 and died on Sept. 22 at Mercy Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,668th COVID-19 related death is a 67-year-old woman from Douglas County who tested positive on Aug. 20 and died on Sept. 1 at her residence.
Oregon’s 3,669th COVID-19 related death is a 62-year-old woman from Wallowa County who tested positive on Sept. 21 and died on Sept. 20 her residence. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.
Oregon’s 3,670th COVID-19 related death is a 71-year-old woman from Umatilla County who tested positive on Sept. 14 and died on Sept.16 at Good Shepherd Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,671st COVID-19 related death is an 86-year-old man from Umatilla County who tested positive on Sept. 13 and died on Sept. 16 at Good Shepherd Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,672nd COVID-19 related death is a 63-year-old woman from Multnomah County who tested positive on Sept. 14 and died on Sept. 18 at Adventist Health Portland.
Oregon’s 3,673rd COVID-19 related death is a 63-year-old woman from Lane County who tested positive on Sept. 14 and died on Sept. 22 PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend.
Oregon’s 3,674th COVID-19 related death is a 60-year-old man from Lane County who tested positive on Sept. 12 and died on Sept. 11 at McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,675th COVID-19 related death is a 73-year-old woman from Josephine County who tested positive on Sept. 15 and died on Sept. 22 at Asante Three Rivers Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,676th COVID-19 related death is a 67-year-old woman from Josephine County who tested positive on Aug. 13 and died on Sept. 18 at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,677th COVID-19 related death is a 58-year-old man from Jackson County who tested positive on Aug. 22 and died on Sept. 17 at Providence Medford Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,678th COVID-19 related death is a 58-year-old man from Jackson County who tested positive on Aug. 17 and died on Sept. 22 at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,679th COVID-19 related death is an 85-year-old man from Yamhill County who tested positive on Sept. 9 and died on Sept. 22 at Willamette Valley Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,680th COVID-19 related death is a 46-year-old woman from Yamhill County who tested positive on Aug. 26 and died on Sept. 22 at Willamette Valley Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,681st COVID-19 related death is a 30-year-old man from Washington County who tested positive on Sept. 10 and died on Sept. 22 at his residence.
Oregon’s 3,682nd COVID-19 related death is a 50-year-old woman from Washington County who tested positive on Aug. 30 and died on Sept. 22 at McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center.
Saturday-Monday, September 25-27
Oregon’s 3,683rd COVID-19 related death is a 70-year-old man from Douglas County who tested positive on Sept. 13 and died on Sept. 24 at Mercy Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3.684th COVID-19 related death is a 72-year-old man from Douglas County who tested positive on Sept. 5 and died on Sept. 24.
Oregon’s 3,685th COVID-19 related death is a 77-year-old man from Clackamas County who tested positive on Sept. 8 and died on Sept. 23 at his residence.
Oregon’s 3,686th COVID-19 related death is an 82-year-old woman from Clackamas County who tested positive on Aug. 16 and died on Sept. 18 at her residence.
Oregon’s 3,687th COVID-19 related death is a 63-year-old woman from Benton County who tested positive on Sept. 12 and died on Sept. 24 at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,688th COVID-19 related death is a 69-year-old man from Benton County who tested positive on Sept. 3 and died on Sept. 24 at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,689th COVID-19 related death is a 72-year-old woman from Douglas County who tested positive on Sept. 15 and died on Sept. 23 at Mercy Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,690th COVID-19 related death is a 71-year-old woman from Douglas County who tested positive on Sept. 13 and died on Sept. 23 at Mercy Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,691st COVID-19 related death is a 73-year-old man from Douglas County who tested positive on Sept. 19 and died on Sept. 23 at Mercy Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,692nd COVID-19 related death is a 57-year-old woman from Grant County who tested positive on Sept. 13.
Oregon’s 3,693rd COVID-19 related death is a 61-year-old man from Yamhill County who tested positive on Sept. 18 and died on Sept. 22 at his residence.
Oregon’s 3,694th COVID-19 related death is a 61-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive on Sept. 15 and died on Sept. 21 at Adventist Health Portland.
Oregon’s 3,695th COVID-19 related death is an 86-year-old woman from Marion County who tested positive on Sept. 12 and died on Sept. 22 at Salem Hospital.
Oregon’s 3,696th COVID-19 related death is a 64-year-old woman from Marion County who tested positive on Aug. 27 and died on Sept. 22 at Salem Hospital.
Oregon’s 3,697th COVID-19 related death is a 70-year-old woman from Malheur County who tested positive on Sept. 10 and died on Sept. 24 at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise.
Oregon’s 3,698th COVID-19 related death is a 76-year-old man from Malheur County who tested positive on Sept. 6 and died on Sept. 22 at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise.
Oregon’s 3,699th COVID-19 related death is a 74-year-old man from Linn County who tested positive on Sept. 17 and died on Sept. 22.
Oregon’s 3,700th COVID-19 related death is a 61-year-old woman from Linn County who tested positive on Aug. 2 and died on Aug. 27.
Oregon’s 3,701st COVID-19 related death is a 72-year-old man from Klamath County who tested positive on Sept. 17 and died on Sept. 24 at Sky Lakes Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,702nd COVID-19 related death is a 92-year-old woman from Klamath County who tested positive on Sept. 15 and died on Sept. 23 at Sky Lakes Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,703rd COVID-19 related death is a 69-year-old man from Josephine County who tested positive on Sept. 10 and died on Sept. 23 at Asante Three Rivers Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,704th COVID-19 related death is a 32-year-old woman from Josephine County who tested positive on Aug. 16 and died on Sept. 16 at Oregon Health & Science University Hospital.
Oregon’s 3,705th COVID-19 related death is a 49-year-old man from Jefferson County who tested positive on Aug. 28 and died on Sept. 23 at St. Charles Bend Hospital.
Oregon’s 3,706th COVID-19 related death is a 60-year-old woman from Jackson County who tested positive on Sept. 23 and died on Sept. 23.
Oregon’s 3,707th COVID-19 related death is a 60-year-old man from Jackson County who tested positive on Sept. 12 and died on Sept. 23 at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,708th COVID-19 related death is a 69-year-old man from Jackson County who tested positive on Sept. 11 and died on Sept. 24 at Providence Medford Medical Center. \
Oregon’s 3,709th COVID-19 related death is an 84-year-old man from Jackson County who tested positive on Sept. 4 and died on Sept. 16 his residence.
Tuesday, September 28
Oregon’s 3,710th COVID-19 related death is a 35-year-old man from Jackson County who tested positive on Aug. 18 and died on Sept. 26 at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,711th COVID-19 related death is a 64-year-old man from Harney County who tested positive on Sept. 27 and died on Sept. 27 at his residence.
Oregon’s 3,712th COVID-19 related death is a 65-year-old man from Harney County who tested positive on Sept. 17 and died on Sept. 23 at St. Charles Bend Hospital.
Oregon’s 3,713th COVID-19 related death is a 66-year-old woman from Harney County who tested positive on Sept. 2 and died on Sept. 23 at St. Charles Bend Hospital.
Oregon’s 3,714th COVID-19 related death is an 81-year-old man from Douglas County who tested positive on Sept. 13 and died on Sept. 20 at Portland VA Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,715th COVID-19 related death is a 69-year-old man from Douglas County who tested positive on Sept. 13 and died on Sept. 23 at Portland VA Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,716th COVID-19 related death is a 51-year-old man from Douglas County who tested positive on Aug. 15 and died on Sept. 26 at Mercy Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,717th COVID-19 related death is a 64-year-old man from Curry County who tested positive on Sept. 24 and died on Sept. 24 at Salem Hospital.
Oregon’s 3,718th COVID-19 related death is an 84-year-old man from Coos County who died on Sept. 26 at his residence; date of positive test is being confirmed.
Oregon’s 3,719th COVID-19 related death is a 58-year-old woman from Coos County who tested positive on Sept. 15 and died on Sept. 16 at Bay Area Hospital.
Oregon’s 3,720th COVID-19 related death is an 85-year-old woman from Coos County who tested positive on Sept. 9 and died on Sept. 24 at Bay Area Hospital.
Oregon’s 3,721st COVID-19 related death is a 69-year-old man from Coos County who tested positive on Aug. 28 and died on Sept. 11 at Roseburg VA Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,722nd COVID-19 related death is a 67-year-old man from Jackson County who tested positive on Sept. 10 and died on Sept. 25 at Providence Medford Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,723rd COVID-19 related death is a 70-year-old woman from Jackson County who tested positive on Sept. 6 and died on Sept. 25 at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,724th COVID-19 related death is a 51-year-old woman from Jackson County who tested positive on Sept. 6 and died on Sept. 24 at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,725th COVID-19 related death is a 41-year-old man from Jackson County who tested positive on Aug. 20 and died on Sept. 25 at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,726th COVID-19 related death is an 88-year-old woman from Jefferson County who tested positive on Nov. 25 and died on May 3 at her residence.
Oregon’s 3,727th COVID-19 related death is an 82-year-old woman from Klamath County who tested positive on Sept. 7 and died on Sept. 18 at her residence.
Oregon’s 3,728th COVID-19 related death is a 44-year-old woman from Josephine County who tested positive on Sept. 23 and died on Sept. 25 at Asante Three Rivers Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,729th COVID-19 related death is an 83-year-old woman from Josephine County who tested positive on Sept. 8 and died on Sept. 21 at her residence.
Oregon’s 3,730th COVID-19 related death is a 34-year-old man from Klamath County who tested positive on Sept. 19 and died on Sept. 24 at Sky Lakes Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,731st COVID-19 related death is a 70-year-old man from Lane County who died on May 1 at his residence.
Oregon’s 3,732nd COVID-19 related death is a 58-year-old man from Lane County who tested positive on Sept. 21 and died on Sept. 26 at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend.
Oregon’s 3,733rd COVID-19 related death is a 72-year-old woman from Lane County who tested positive on Sept. 20 and died on Sept. 26 at McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,734th COVID-19 related death is a 97-year-old man from Lane County who tested positive on Sept. 16 and died on Sept. 22 at his residence.
Oregon’s 3,735th COVID-19 related death is an 80-year-old man from Lane County who first became symptomatic on Sept. 16 and died on Sept. 25 at his residence.
Oregon’s 3,736th COVID-19 related death is an 82-year-old woman from Linn County who tested positive on Sept. 10 and died on Sept. 23 at Salem Hospital.
Oregon’s 3,737th COVID-19 related death is a 63-year-old man from Marion County who tested positive on Sept. 7 and died on Sept. 25 at Salem Hospital.
Oregon’s 3,738th COVID-19 related death is a 61-year-old man from Marion County who tested positive on Sept. 22 and died on Sept. 21 at his residence.
Oregon’s 3,739th COVID-19 related death is an 89-year-old woman from Marion County who tested positive on Sept. 7 and died on Sept. 22 at Salem Hospital.
Oregon’s 3,740th COVID-19 related death is a 65-year-old man from Marion County who tested positive on Aug. 31 and died on Sept. 23 at Salem Hospital.
Oregon’s 3,741st COVID-19 related death is a 37-year-old man from Marion County who tested positive on Aug. 31 and died on Sept. 25 at Salem Hospital.
Oregon’s 3,742nd COVID-19 related death is a 43-year-old woman from Morrow County who tested positive on Aug. 15 and died on Sept. 8 at Providence Portland Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,743rd COVID-19 related death is a 45-year-old woman from Multnomah County who tested positive on Jan. 28 and died on May 1 at Providence Portland Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,744th COVID-19 related death is a 77-year-old woman from Multnomah County who tested positive on Sept. 21 and died on Sept. 24 at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,745th COVID-19 related death is a 36-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive on Aug. 25 and died at Oregon Health & Science University Hospital.
Oregon’s 3,746th COVID-19 related death is a 58-year-old woman from Polk County who tested positive on Aug. 22 and died on Sept. 24 at Salem Hospital.
Oregon’s 3,747th COVID-19 related death is an 82-year-old man from Yamhill County who tested positive on Jan. 17 and died on May 3 at his residence.
Oregon’s 3,748th COVID-19 related death is a 71-year-old woman from Washington County who tested positive on Sept. 10 and died on Sept. 27 at Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,749th COVID-19 related death is a 41-year-old man from Union County who tested positive on Sept. 5 and died on Sept. 27 at Oregon Health & Science University Hospital.
Oregon’s 3,750th COVID-19 related death is a 74-year-old woman from Yamhill County who tested positive on Sept. 13 and died on Sept. 13 at Salem Hospital.
Wednesday, September 29
Oregon’s 3,751st COVID-19 related death is a 58-year-old woman from Douglas County who tested positive on Aug. 30 and died on Sept. 27 at Mercy Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,752nd COVID-19 related death is a 43-year-old man from Douglas County who tested positive on Aug. 30 and died on Sept. 24 at Mercy Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,753rd COVID-19 related death is a 93-year-old woman from Douglas County who tested positive on Aug. 25 and died on Sept. 3 at her residence.
Oregon’s 3,754th COVID-19 related death is a 95-year-old woman from Douglas County who tested positive on Aug. 20 and died on Sept. 8 at her residence.
Oregon’s 3,755th COVID-19 related death is an 83-year-old woman from Douglas County who tested positive on March 1 and died on May 5 at Mercy Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,756th COVID-19 related death is a 73-year-old man from Clatsop County who tested positive on Aug. 16 and died on Sept. 12.
Oregon’s 3,757th COVID-19 related death is a 63-year-old man from Baker County who tested positive on Sept. 3 and died on Sept. 24 at Boise VA Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,758th COVID-19 related death is a 64-year-old man from Hood River County who tested positive on Sept. 15 and died on Sept. 28 at Providence Hood River Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,759th COVID-19 related death is a 69-year-old man from Harney County who tested positive on Sept. 5 and died on Sept. 26 at Harney District Hospital.
Oregon’s 3,760th COVID-19 related death is a 47-year-old woman from Grant County who tested positive on Sept. 10 and died on Sept. 28 at St Charles Bend Hospital.
Oregon’s 3,761st COVID-19 related death is a 53-year-old man from Lane County who tested positive on Sept. 13 and died on Sept. 25 at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend.
Oregon’s 3,762nd COVID-19 related death is a 60-year-old woman from Lane County who tested positive on Sept. 9 and died on Sept. 25 at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend.
Oregon’s 3,763rd COVID-19 related death is a 68-year-old man from Lane County who tested positive on Sept. 7 and died on Sept. 26 at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend.
Oregon’s 3,764th COVID-19 related death is an 85-year-old man from Lane County who tested positive on Jan. 22 and died on May 5 at his residence. -CoV-2 as a cause of death or a significant condition contributing to death.
Oregon’s 3,765th COVID-19 related death is a 69-year-old man from Linn County who first became symptomatic on Sept. 10 and died on Sept. 27 at Albany Hospital.
Oregon’s 3,766th COVID-19 related death is an 85-year-old man from Linn County who tested positive on Sept. 9 and died on Sept. 14 his residence.
Oregon’s 3,767th COVID-19 related death is a 76-year-old man from Linn County who tested positive on Sept. 4 and died on Sept. 27 at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,768th COVID-19 related death is a 75-year-old man from Malheur County who tested positive on Sept. 19 and died on Sept. 24 at St Luke’s Boise Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,769th COVID-19 related death is a 79-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive on July 25 and died on Aug. 31 at Adventist Health Portland.
Oregon’s 3,770th COVID-19 related death is a 66-year-old man from Polk County who tested positive on Aug. 22 and died on Sept. 24 at Salem Hospital.
Oregon’s 3,771st COVID-19 related death is a 66-year-old man from Tillamook County who tested positive on Sept. 18 and died on Sept. 26 at his residence.
Thursday, September 30
Oregon’s 3,772nd COVID-19 related death is a 93-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive on Aug. 29 and died on Sept. 2 at Adventist Health Portland.
Oregon’s 3,773rd COVID-19 related death is a 97-year-old woman from Linn County who tested positive on Aug. 29 and died on Sept. 4; location of death is being confirmed.
Oregon’s 3,774th COVID-19 related death is an 80-year-old man from Lincoln County who tested positive on Sept. 7 and died on Sept. 12 at his residence.
Oregon’s 3,775th COVID-19 related death is a 58-year-old man from Josephine County who tested positive on Sept. 7 and died on Sept. 28 at Asante Three Rivers Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,776th COVID-19 related death is a 46-year-old man from Jackson County who tested positive on Aug. 23 and died on Sept. 28 at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,777th COVID-19 related death is a 51-year-old man from Jackson County who tested positive on Sept. 20 and died on Sept. 22 at his residence.
Oregon’s 3,778th COVID-19 related death is a 69-year-old man from Jackson County who died on Sept. 15 at his residence. The death certificate listed COVID-19 disease or SARS-CoV-2 as a cause of death or a significant condition contributing to death.
Oregon’s 3,779th COVID-19 related death is a 77-year-old woman from Deschutes County who tested positive on Sept. 14 and died on Sept. 24 at St. Charles Bend Hospital.
Oregon’s 3,780th COVID-19 related death is a 44-year-old man from Clackamas County who tested positive on Sept. 9 and died on Sept. 16 at Providence Portland Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,781st COVID-19 related death is a 97-year-old woman from Linn County who tested positive on Aug. 29 and died on Sept. 3; location of death is being confirmed.
Oregon’s 3,782nd COVID-19 related death is a 72-year-old man from Linn County who tested positive on Aug. 29 and died on Sept. 9.
Oregon’s 3,783rd COVID-19 related death is an 87-year-old man from Polk County who tested positive on Sept. 21 and died on Sept. 28 at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,784th COVID-19 related death is a 50-year-old man from Marion County who tested positive on Sept. 13 and died on Sept. 29 at Salem Hospital.
Oregon’s 3,785th COVID-19 related death is a 55-year-old man from Marion County who tested positive on Sept. 9 and died on Sept. 26 at Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,786th COVID-19 related death is an 86-year-old man from Marion County who tested positive on Aug. 29 and died on Sept. 28 at Salem Hospital.
Oregon’s 3,787th COVID-19 related death is a 64-year-old man from Marion County who tested positive on Aug. 27 and died on Sept. 20 at Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center.
Oregon’s 3,788th COVID-19 related death is a 92-year-old man from Washington County who tested positive on Sept. 10 and died on Sept. 19 at his residence.
Oregon’s 3,789th COVID-19 related death is a 77-year-old woman from Washington County who tested positive on Sept. 10 and died on Sept. 19 at her residence.
Oregon’s 3,790th COVID-19 related death is an 87-year-old woman from Washington County who tested positive on Sept. 12 and died on Sept. 23 at her residence.
Oregon’s 3,791st COVID-19 related death is an 86-year-old man from Washington County who tested positive on Sept. 10 and died on Sept. 24 at his residence.
Sadly, Those Dying of COVID Are Younger and Younger
You may remember that in the period before vaccines were available, the great majority (generally around 75%) of COVID deaths were among those 70 and above. Vaccines have made a huge difference now that approximately 90% of those in that age range have been vaccinated. While 80% of breakthrough deaths (i.e., among those who have been vaccinated) are among those age 70 and above, this age group now constitutes just 45% of all COVID deaths last week. 55% are among those in their 60s and younger. As you’ll see below, the largest single age group for COVID deaths last week were those in their 60s (4/5s of whom were not vaccinated):
30s 6
40s 13
50s 15
60s 37
70s 25
80s 25
90s 9
And here’s another breakdown of last week’s 130 deaths by county.
You’ll see that only 13 percent were from the Portland Tri-County area, far fewer than their population would predict. More than twice that number were from Jackson, Josephine, and Douglas Counties, with Douglas County recording a record high 21 deaths.
Baker (1)
Benton (2)
Clackamas (3)
Clatsop (1)
Coos (4)
Curry (1)
Deschutes (1)
Douglas (21)
Grant (2)
Harney (4)
Hood River (1)
Jackson (14)
Jefferson (2)
Josephine (5)
Klamath (3)
Lane (11)
Lincoln (1)
Linn (9)
Malheur (3)
Marion (11)
Morrow (1)
Multnomah (7)
Polk (3)
Tillamook (1)
Umatilla (2)
Union (1)
Wallowa (1)
Washington (7)
Yamhill (5)
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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