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December 9, 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.
If all goes well, you should be getting this newsletter a little earlier than usual. That’s because I’m three hours ahead of you in Washington, D.C., at the moment, here for a conference (bringing together legislators from states working on environmental issues related to plastics reduction, recycling reform, and the benefits of offshore wind projects). It was my first time on a plane since before the pandemic, and I’m happy to report that it went quite well.
Because of the flight and long meetings, I’ve been wearing a mask more than I usually do. (D.C. officially rescinded its indoor masking requirements a couple of weeks ago, but they are having second thoughts now with the potential rise of Omicron and are encouraging people to wear masks, especially if they are not fully vaccinated.) Everyone in my meetings is wearing a mask, even though we all had to be vaccinated to attend. It’s inconvenient, yes, but not a big deal.
As I mentioned in the last newsletter, the Governor has called legislators into a special session next week in order to deal with some emergency business. There was still some question last week as to whether or not we’d have the necessary number of Republicans to have a quorum. It now appears that we do, so “The Second Special Session of 2021” will start first thing Monday and will hopefully finish by the end of the day. You can read more about it below.
In last week’s newsletter I also mentioned the work group that I was convening to address the educator shortfall. We had our first meeting last Friday and broke up into subgroups working on different aspects of the problem (which, as I mentioned last week, was becoming evident prior to COVID but has become particularly acute with COVID). You can read about the problem and the work that’s needed to address it in this PowerPoint that we prepared for the meeting. We’ll be putting the short-term recommendations together in early January and considering proposals for the February session.
You can track the work of the workgroup via the Senate Education Committee website. Just click on “Expand to View: Educator Workforce Work Group.”
On the COVID front, I don’t have good news to report. As you’ll see, nearly all of our COVID indices—reported daily cases, test positivity rates, hospitalizations, and deaths have gone up this week, according to the OHA County Report and Weekly Report. This may be due to the fact that last week's numbers reflected lower-than-expected counts due to Thanksgiving holiday disruptions. So this week's numbers reflected a catching up of those late reports.
Having said that, the numbers are better in my Friday-to-Thursday analyses and graphs, suggesting that the catch-up was more noticeable earlier in the week. (The OHA county and weekly reports close on Sunday.)
We’ll see next week if we’re back on track with the expected reductions for Oregon over the next month. Let’s hope so.
Until the next newsletter, please stay healthy and safe, and let me know if you have any questions about information in today’s newsletter.
Second Special Session Coming This Monday
As I mentioned in the last newsletter, legislators will be returning to Salem on Monday, December 13, to deal with some emergency business related to housing and eviction relief, drought relief, and policy that will help residents of southern Oregon address the virulent consequences of illegal cannabis operations. In last week’s newsletter I provided a brief overview of the issues. You can take another look at that here.
Here is the current list of items to be taken up on Monday. You’ll see that the number of issues and the price tags have increased from last week. In some cases that’s due to a better understanding of the scope of the problems (e.g., we now know that the illegal cannabis operations are not limited to Josephine and Jackson Counties and will require more of a statewide approach). For others, well, this is the price of obtaining a quorum—additional items that were high priorities for Republicans needed to be included. I will say that they’re all worthwhile items and were likely to be funded during the February session anyway—but the same could be said for other priorities out there. As I heard someone say today, “Special sessions give us sausage-making on steroids.”
As we did with the first special session (the redistricting session at the end of September), there will be a meeting of the Special Session Committee on Saturday afternoon to finalize the bills that will be taken up on Monday morning.
You can follow the work of the Second Special Session via its website here. I’ll of course have a report on it for you next week.
OREGON CORONAVIRUS AND CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE UPDATE
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New COVID Cases: OHA reports 901 new COVID cases today, vs. 1,046 last Thursday. That’s an average of 876 per day for the last week (vs. 719 per day the previous week). The cumulative number of cases in Oregon since the beginning of the pandemic is 399,361.
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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 1,085 positive test results today (vs. 1,394 last Thursday). That’s an average of 1,064 per day for the 7 days since the last newsletter (vs. 916 per day the previous week). The cumulative total of positive test results since the beginning of the pandemic is now 542,901.
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Total Tests: OHA reported an additional 23,634 tests today (vs. 19,360 last Thursday). That’s an average of 19,498 per day for the last week (vs. 14,807 for the previous week). Our cumulative total of reported tests is 8,254,688.
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Positivity Rate: The test positivity ratio for Oregon today was 4.8% (vs. 5.6% last Thursday). That’s an average of 5.4% per day for the last week (it was 6.2% per day for the previous week).
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Hospitalization Information:
- Patients Currently with Confirmed COVID-19: 404 (20 more than last newsletter)
- ICU Patients Confirmed w COVID-19: 94 (4 more than last newsletter.)
- Confirmed COVID-19 Patients Currently on Ventilators: 52 (5 more than last newsletter)
- Available Ventilators: 844 (17 fewer than last newsletter).
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Hospital Capacity:
- Available ICU Beds: 56 (7 more than last newsletter)
- Other Available Beds: 247 (100 fewer than last newsletter).
- Here’s a link to more OHA data on hospital capacity.
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Deaths: I’m sorry to report 38 additional COVID deaths today (vs. 42 last Thursday). That’s an average of 18 per day for the week since the last newsletter (vs. 14 the previous week). The total number of COVID deaths in Oregon is 5,356.
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Vaccinations:
- Today, OHA reported that 32,291 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations were added to the state immunization registry Dec. 8. Of that total, 2,136 were initial doses, 2,716 were second doses and 10,986 were third doses and booster doses. The remaining 16,351 were administered on previous days but were entered into the vaccine registry Dec. 8.
- The seven-day running average is now 23,668 doses per day, up by 11,858 per day from last week (more than double).
- Total doses administered: 6,308,460 (up by 176,076 from last week)
- 3,600,843 Pfizer/Comimaty vaccines
- 111,760 Pfizer Pediatric vaccines (up from 75,802 last week)
- 2,341,352 Moderna vaccines
- 247,962 Johnson & Johnson vaccines
- Total Oregonians vaccinated so far: 2,981,287 (up by 26,128 from last week)
- 2,706,196 now fully vaccinated with two doses (up by 38,599)
- 72.3% of all Oregonians have received at least one dose
- 76.5% of those 5 and older
- 81.4% of those 12 and older
- 82.8% of those 18 and older
- 95% of those 65 and older
- 65% of all Oregonians are now fully vaccinated
- 68.7% of those 5 and older
- 74.2% of those 12 and older
- 75.6% of those 18 and older
- 88.8% of those 65 and older
- 29.5% of all Oregonians have received a booster shot
- 31.9% of those 18 and older
- 45.1% of those 50 and older
- 57.9% of those 65 and older
- All these percentages are from the CDC Data Tracker.They include vaccinations administered by the VA and Tribal Health Services.
- 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
- We’re happy to see support for increasing access to home testing, but there's a downside. It means fewer cases will be reported to public health, leaving public health agencies unable to see the whole picture of what’s going on in their regions.
- On the testing front, we’re also facing a new problem: a new “stealth” version of Omicron that is harder to detect via standard PCR tests. Here's more.
- There is much we still need to learn about the new Omicron variant that first surfaced in Southern Africa. One of the big questions out there is whether or not the more infectious, but potentially less severe Omicron, will overtake the more virulent Delta. Here's what we know now. We should know more soon.
- Meanwhile, Nature looks at what the future COVID mutations and variants could look like.
- Boosters may offer important protection against Omicron, while two doses alone do not. Meanwhile, with the potential for Omicron to overtake Delta and becoming the dominant form of COVID, the search is on for an eventual vaccine specifically targeting Omicron. Here's more.
- A new study from Israel shows real-world evidence that boosters make a difference for people of all ages.
- On the Politics-of-COVID front, the Senate just passed legislation this morning that would curb the President's vaccine and testing policy. It was supported by Democratic Senator Manchin appears to be on board with it. It is unlikely to pass the House and would certainly elicit a presidential veto if it did.
- While the media is full of news about Omicron, the most recent Axios survey suggests that this concern hasn’t yet penetrated for most Americans. Aside from ongoing support for masking, most Americans aren't ready to change their behavior.
- A demographic analysis by the Washington Post shows that the most-vaccinated big counties in America are beating the worst of the coronavirus. In those dense counties where people are living in close proximity and where one would expect much higher rates of infection, the correlation between high vaccination rates and low infection/death rates is particularly striking.
- An analysis by NPR shows a parallel result: counties that voted for Trump in 2020 had much higher COVID death rates than those that went for Biden. The explanation: low vaccination rates fueled by COVID misinformation.
- With concerns about the new omicron variant growing, we’re seeing record numbers of people choosing to be boosted right away.
- From a public health perspective, that’s a positive development. However, with record numbers of vaccinations comes the inevitable vaccine shortages. and more and more people are experiencing longer waiting periods.
- And for pharmacies that are experiencing more demand, there is an added complication: a growing workforce shortage forcing them to reduce hours of operation.
- So what is the latest thinking on how immune a person who has been infected with COVID will be to reinfection? This is an excellent podcast (with a transcript that you can read) that goes into this question and the latest findings in detail.
- And here are the results of a scientific study that reinforces our understanding that a vaccine given to someone who has previously been infected can provide a big increase in protection. However, a second dose does not show much benefit.
- Although the new antiviral drugs may not be as effective as was once hoped, they can make a difference in keeping COVID cases from becoming serious in 30% of cases. So it’s important to make sure that they are universally available and not restricted to wealthier, well-insured Americans. Here's more on that.
- There is a controversy raging over whether or not vaccine doses should be used for boosters in the developed world or initial vaccines in the developing world. Here's an opinion piece from two medical experts, arguing that this is a false either-or.
- And here's an opposing view, from a physician who believes we should be focusing much more on getting vaccines to those in poor nations.
- Our neighboring state of Nevada is now requiring its unvaccinated state workers to pay an extra insurance premium.
- Axios has a story on the disproportionate financial impacts of COVID on women.
- There's some initial research showing that COVID especially attacks fat cells, which could help understand the particular vulnerability of overweight/obese individuals to severe COVID consequences.
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This VOX piece makes some very good arguments around the need to come up with clear endgame metrics for ending COVID restrictions that are tied to some combination of case, hospitalization, death, and vaccination rate thresholds.
 Message from OHA: COVID Boosters Authorized for 16- and 17-Year-Olds
Today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) authorized the use of booster doses of Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 vaccines for persons 16 and 17 years of age who have already completed their vaccination series.
Shortly after the boosters were authorized for the new age group, the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, including Oregon, Washington, California and Nevada, released a statement supporting the CDC’s recommendation.
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) released updated guidance for providers so that Oregonians aged 16 and 17 who have completed their initial Pfizer vaccination series at least six months earlier can immediately begin receiving a booster dose.
Boosters were authorized last month for all persons in the United States 18 years and older by the two federal agencies and by the workgroup for eligible adults in the four Western states.
A booster is a vaccine dose given to a person whose immune response from the primary vaccine series has waned over time. Booster doses help people maintain strong immunity to disease longer. The first vaccine series builds up the immune system to make the antibodies needed to fight the disease. Over time, the immune response weakens. A booster dose stimulates the initial response and tends to result in higher antibody levels that help people maintain their immunity longer.
"The scientists, medical experts and health officials who reviewed studies on the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines have determined that the benefits provided by a booster merit their use for this group,” said Dr. Dean Sidelinger, state health officer and state epidemiologist. “We already know that protection can wane over time, and the boosters will continue to provide younger Oregonians continued protection, just as boosters are doing for Oregonians 18 years and older.”
There are an estimated 100,000 Oregonians ages 16 and 17. Of this group, approximately 25,000 are now eligible for boosters following today’s approvals. Another 25,000 persons in this age group will be eligible by the end of this month, and up to 7,000 persons who are 16 and 17 years of age will become eligible for boosters through first part of 2022.
“This is another step in expanding the numbers of persons who are protected, as we continue to deal with the Delta variant in our communities and plan for the arrival of the Omicron variant, which is already found in more than a third of states,” said Sidelinger.
All COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and free. They are available throughout the state at pharmacies, health providers, Tribal clinics and community vaccination clinics.
Because of the recent expansion of booster eligibility to those 18 years and older and the authorization of pediatric vaccine for persons ages 5 to 11, residents may experience temporary delays scheduling an appointment.
OHA asks everyone to be patient as the state’s vaccine providers work to address the increased demand for vaccinations. Anyone who is eligible to receive their primary, booster or third doses will be able to receive one.
Visit our boosters and third doses webpage for more information.
Wastewater Analysis Applied to Omicron
I’ve written before about the groundbreaking work by OSU to use wastewater samples to detect and monitor the spread of COVID in communities.
The program launched in September 2020 tests wastewater for COVID-19 in more than 40 communities throughout the state, covering more than 60 percent of Oregon’s population. You can read more about the state’s wastewater surveillance here.
This technique has now been applied all over the country. And now there’s a further wrinkle.
This week, scientists in Oregon will begin testing wastewater for the Omicron variant. Wastewater surveillance has previously identified emerging variants, including Delta. When samples in wastewater test negative, it means the level of the virus is too low to be detected in the sample provided.
I’ll keep you abreast of what they learn.
Weekly County Report: County and Statewide Numbers Move Back Up
The latest OHA county report, showing weekly increases/decreases in COVID spread for each county and for the state as a whole, was released on Monday. It shows case counts and rates for the last four weeks, including the week that ended Sunday, December 5.
The news is not good this week.
This report shows that the statewide infection and test positivity rates have bounced back upwards in the Oregon as a whole has now moved back up, well into the High Risk category.
Nearly all of Oregon’s 36 counties showed increases, nearly all of them now in the High Risk or Extreme Risk categories. All of the Portland Metro counties are again in the High Risk category, with Multnomah County slightly leading the pack.
Interestingly, two of the rural counties most affected by COVID—Malheur and Umatilla—are now among the lowest. Malheur is now in the Low Risk category, with a test positivity rate of 3.4%. We’ll see if it continues, but for now it’s a remarkable turnaround.
OHA’s Weekly COVID Data and Outbreaks Reports Released: Increases Across the Board This Week (Likely Due to Holiday Catch-Up)
OHA’s COVID-19 Weekly Report released today shows an increase in daily cases, positivity rate, hospitalizations, and deaths.
- OHA reported 6,435 new cases of COVID-19 during the week of Monday, Nov. 29, through Sunday, Dec. 5. That is a 50% increase from the previous week. The rise is likely a rebound from Thanksgiving weekend, which saw a significant reduction in reported tests.
- There were 134,705 tests for COVID-19 for the week of Nov. 28 through Dec. 4, a large increase from the previous week’s 95,882 (and likely the primary reason for the big increase in positive case numbers).
- The percentage of positive tests rose slightly to 5.9%, up from 5.6% the previous week.
- There were 362 new COVID-19 hospitalizations, up from 226 last week. This also likely reflects a rebound in reporting after Thanksgiving weekend.
- There were 126 reported COVID-19-related deaths, one more than the 125 reported the previous week. These are for the most part deaths that are actually current (as opposed to the inflated numbers in recent weeks due to catching up on late reports
Today’s COVID-19 Weekly Outbreak Report again shows 54 active COVID-19 outbreaks in senior living communities and congregate living settings, the same as last week.
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
10/6/21 163 facilities
11/3/21 87 facilities
12/1/21 54 facilities
12/8/21 54 facilities
As the number of cases go down, combined with the proliferation of booster vaccines among the elderly, we’re seeing the number of deaths in congregate care go down.
8/4 1,374 (pandemic total)
8/11 1,385 (pandemic total) +11
9/1 1,441 (pandemic total) +22
10/6 1,574 (pandemic total) +27
11/03 1,701 (pandemic total) +29
11/24 1,826 (pandemic total) +36
12/1 1,847 (pandemic total) +21
12/8 1,863 (pandemic total) +16
The Outbreak Report also includes the latest data on COVID in workplaces, childcare centers, and public and private K-12 schools.
Share of Breakthrough COVID Cases Increases Again
OHA’s most recent update on COVID-19 breakthrough cases, released today, found that 1,989 (30.6%) of the 6,496 reported COVID-19 cases between Nov. 28 and Dec. 4 were breakthrough cases, occurring in fully vaccinated people. This is an increase from last week’s 28.7%.
The latest breakthrough report, including a number of details, can be found here.
Forty-four breakthrough cases involved residents of care facilities, senior living communities or other congregate care settings—an increase from last week’s reported 28.
Cases of COVID-19 remain far more common in unvaccinated people, though the difference is narrowing somewhat. The report shows that the rate of COVID-19 in unvaccinated people is 3.5 times higher than in vaccinated people, down from a four-time differnce. To date, there have been 47,687 COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough cases in Oregon out of a total of 399,361..
Where the vaccines really make a difference is in preventing serious COVID cases. Nearly all breakthrough cases show no symptoms, or symptoms that are relatively mild. Once again, just 4.4% of the relatively small number of vaccine breakthrough cases have been hospitalized and just 1.2% have died.
Serious breakthrough cases are generally found in people who are aged and infirm, and who are not as responsive to the vaccine as younger people are. The average age of vaccinated people who died remains 81.
OHSU Forecast:
Sorry, for some reason this week's report/forecast from OHSU isn't available yet. I'll include its findings next week.
And the Deaths:
Here is information about the 128 additional deaths that have been reported since last Thursday, up from 112 the previous week. Information on the 38 reported today won’t be available until tomorrow, but I am now able to include the information from last Thursday.
Thursday, December 2
Oregon’s 5,187th COVID-19 related death is a 66-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive Aug. 7 and died Aug. 15 at Portland VA Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,188th COVID-19 related death is an 82-year-old woman from Tillamook County who tested positive Sept. 30 and died Sept. 29 at her residence.
Oregon’s 5,189th COVID-19 related death is a 57-year-old woman from Clackama
Oregon’s 5,190th COVID-19 related death is an 83-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive Sept. 25 and died Oct. 4 at Adventist Health Portland.
Oregon’s 5,191st COVID-19 related death is a 59-year-old man from Marion County who tested positive Sept. 22 and died Oct. 4 at Santiam Hospital.
Oregon’s 5,192nd COVID-19 related death is an 80-year-old woman from Multnomah County who tested positive Sept. 22 and died Oct. 5 at Adventist Health Portland.
Oregon’s 5,193rd COVID-19 related death is an 82-year-old man from Deschutes County who tested positive Sept. 29 and died Oct. 5 at St. Charles Bend.
Oregon’s 5,194th COVID-19 related death is an 86-year-old man from Deschutes County who tested positive Sept. 24 and died Oct. 6 at St. Charles Bend.
Oregon’s 5,195th COVID-19 related death is a 67-year-old woman from Deschutes County who tested positive Sept. 30 and died Oct. 6 at St. Charles Bend.
Oregon’s 5,196th COVID-19 related death is a 78-year-old man from Malheur County who tested positive Sept. 23 and died Oct. 7 at his residence.
Oregon’s 5,197th COVID-19 related death is an 82-year-old man from Deschutes County who tested positive Oct. 7 and died Oct. 7 at St. Charles Bend.
Oregon’s 5,198th COVID-19 related death is a 77-year-old woman from Marion County who tested positive Sept. 26 and died Oct. 7 at Samaritan Albany General Hospital.
Oregon’s 5,199th COVID-19 related death is an 85-year-old woman from Lane County who tested positive Sept. 29 and died Oct. 7 at her residence.
Oregon’s 5,200th COVID-19 related death is an 85-year-old woman from Lane County who tested positive Sept. 29 and died Oct. 7 at her residence.
Oregon’s 5,201st COVID-19 related death is an 82-year-old man from Malheur County who tested positive Sept. 17 and died Oct. 8 at his residence.
Oregon’s 5,202nd COVID-19 related death is a 74-year-old man from Douglas County who tested positive Oct. 4 and died Oct. 8 at Bay Area Hospital.
Oregon’s 5,203rd COVID-19 related death is an 84-year-old man from Clackamas County who tested positive Sept. 21 and died Oct. 9 at his residence.
Oregon’s 5,204th COVID-19 related death is a 69-year-old woman from Lane County who tested positive Oct. 6 and died Oct. 9 at her residence.
Oregon’s 5,205th COVID-19 related death is a 74-year-old man from Lake County who tested positive Sept. 20 and died Oct. 8 at Providence Medford Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,206th COVID-19 related death is a 64-year-old woman from Clackamas County who tested positive Sept. 27 and died Oct. 8 at Providence Portland Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,207th COVID-19 related death is a 42-year-old woman from Jackson County who tested positive Sept. 5 and died Oct. 7 at her residence.
Oregon’s 5,208th COVID-19 related death is a 64-year-old man from Washington County who tested positive Sept. 17 and died Oct. 5 at Kaiser Westside Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,209th COVID-19 related death is an 86-year-old woman from Coos County who tested positive Oct. 1 and died Oct. 5 at Coquille Valley Hospital.
Oregon’s 5,210th COVID-19 related death is an 82-year-old woman from Linn County who tested positive Aug. 30 and died Oct. 4 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 5,211th COVID-19 related death is an 84-year-old woman from Klamath County who tested positive Sept. 22 and died Sept. 26 at Sky Lakes Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,212th COVID-19 related death is a 79-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive Nov. 2 and died Nov. 17 at Providence Portland Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,213th COVID-19 related death is an 80-year-old man from Clackamas County who tested positive Oct. 20 and died Nov. 18 at his residence.
Oregon’s 5,214th COVID-19 related death is a 73-year-old man from Marion County who tested positive Sept. 18 and died Oct. 1 at Samaritan Albany General Hospital.
Oregon’s 5,215th COVID-19 related death is a 64-year-old woman from Marion County who tested positive Oct. 27 and died Nov. 27 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,216th COVID-19 related death is a 58-year-old man from Marion County who tested positive Oct. 13 and died Nov. 10 at Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,217th COVID-19 related death is an 88-year-old man from Linn County who tested positive Nov. 22 and died Nov. 27 at his residence.
Oregon’s 5,218th COVID-19 related death is a 56-year-old man from Klamath County who died Oct. 23 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 5,219th COVID-19 related death is an 86-year-old woman from Clackamas County who died Nov. 21 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,220th COVID-19 related death is a 37-year-old man from Clackamas County who tested positive Oct. 25 and died Nov. 20 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,221st COVID-19 related death is a 51-year-old woman from Multnomah County who tested positive Sept. 14 and died Oct. 17 at her residence.
Oregon’s 5,222nd COVID-19 related death is a 76-year-old man from Marion County who died Aug. 30 at his residence.
Oregon’s 5,223rd COVID-19 related death is a 79-year-old man from Marion County who tested positive Nov. 18 and died Nov. 30 at Salem Hospital.
Oregon’s 5,224th COVID-19 related death is a 54-year-old woman from Marion County who tested positive Nov. 17 and died Nov. 28 at Salem Hospital.
Oregon’s 5,225th COVID-19 related death is a 76-year-old woman from Marion County who tested positive Oct. 30 and died Nov. 23 at Salem Hospital.
Oregon’s 5,226th COVID-19 related death is a 95-year-old man from Washington County who died Sept. 19 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 5,227th COVID-19 related death is a 76-year-old woman from Umatilla County who tested positive Nov. 23 and died Nov. 30 at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,228th COVID-19 related COVID-19 related death is a 90-year-old man from Washington County who tested positive Nov. 22 and died Nov. 25 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center.
Friday, December 3
Note: Updated information is known about Oregon’s 5,171st death, a 90-year-old man from Clackamas County. It was determined that he does not meet Oregon’s COVID-19 death definition and will not be counted as a COVID-19 death. Because of this update, we are renumbering our reports to start with 5,228 today.
Oregon’s 5,228th COVID-19 related death is an 82-year-old woman from Multnomah County who tested positive Oct. 1 and died Oct. 10 at her residence.
Oregon’s 5,229th COVID-19 related death is a 69-year-old man from Lane County who tested positive Oct. 12 and died Oct. 24 at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend.
Oregon’s 5,230th COVID-19 related death is a 45-year-old woman from Washington County who tested positive Oct. 2 and died Oct. 4 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,231st COVID-19 related death is an 88-year-old woman from Washington County who tested positive Oct. 3 and died Oct. 19 at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital.
Oregon’s 5,232nd COVID-19 related death is a 72-year-old woman from Josephine County who tested positive Sept. 2 and died Oct. 25 at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,233rd COVID-19 related death is a 75-year-old man from Washington County who tested positive Sept. 5 and died Oct. 26 at Portland VA Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,234th COVID-19 related death is a 61-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive Sept. 21 and died Oct. 15 at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,235th COVID-19 related death is an 85-year-old man from Crook County who tested positive Nov. 2 and died Oct. 27 at his residence.
Oregon’s 5,236th COVID-19 related death is a 66-year-old man from Union County who tested positive Nov. 30 and died Nov. 30 at his residence.
Oregon’s 5,237th COVID-19 related death is a 96-year-old woman from Umatilla County who tested positive Nov. 3 and died Nov. 21 at her residence.
Oregon’s 5,238th COVID-19 related death is a 79-year-old woman from Multnomah County who tested positive Nov. 22 and died Nov. 22 at Adventist Health Portland.
Oregon’s 5,239th COVID-19 related death is a 75-year-old woman from Linn County who tested positive Nov. 23 and died Dec. 1 at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital.
Oregon’s 5,240th COVID-19 related death is a 77-year-old woman from Jackson County who tested positive Nov. 22 and died Dec. 1 at Providence Medford Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,241st COVID-19 related death is a 71-year-old man from Grant County who tested positive Nov. 25 and died Nov. 28 at his residence.
Oregon’s 5,242nd COVID-19 related death is a 58-year-old woman from Coos County who died Dec. 2 at her residence.
Monday, December 6
Oregon’s 5,244th COVID-19 related death is an 80-year-old man from Lane County who died Oct. 14 at his residence.
Oregon’s 5,245th COVID-19 related death is an 88-year-old man from Lane County who tested positive Oct. 23 and died Oct. 28 at his residence.
Oregon’s 5,246th COVID-19 related death is a 94-year-old woman from Multnomah County who tested positive Aug. 23 and died Oct. 9 at her residence.
Oregon’s 5,247th COVID-19 related death is an 82-year-old man from Clackamas County who tested positive Oct. 19 and died Oct. 28 at Salem Hospital.
Oregon’s 5,248th COVID-19 related death is a 66-year-old man from Benton County who tested positive July 19 and died Oct. 25 at his residence.
Oregon’s 5,249th COVID-19 related death is a 69-year-old man from Yamhill County who tested positive Oct. 14 and died Oct. 22 at his residence. He had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 5,250th COVID-19 related death is a 65-year-old woman from Multnomah County who tested positive Oct. 16 and died Nov. 4 at Providence Portland Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,251st COVID-19 related death is an 89-year-old man from Deschutes County who tested positive Oct. 18 and died Nov. 4 at his residence.
Oregon’s 5,252nd COVID-19 related death is a 71-year-old woman from Deschutes County who tested positive Oct. 15 and died Nov. 3 at her residence. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.
Oregon’s 5,253rd COVID-19 related death is a 93-year-old man from Douglas County who tested positive Sept. 28 and died Oct. 29 at his residence.
Oregon’s 5,254th COVID-19 related death is a 90-year-old woman from Marion County who tested positive Sept. 30 and died Nov. 1 at her residence.
Oregon’s 5,255th COVID-19 related death is a 62-year-old man from Klamath County who tested positive Oct. 7 and died Oct. 30 at Sky Lakes Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,256th COVID-19 related death is a 94-year-old woman from Lake County who tested positive Oct. 29 and died Nov. 5 at her residence.
Oregon’s 5,257th COVID-19 related death is a 76-year-old man from Linn County who tested positive Sept. 7 and died Nov. 7 at his residence. He had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 5,258th COVID-19 related death is a 67-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive Oct. 9 and died Oct. 25 at his residence.
Oregon’s 5,259th COVID-19 related death is an 87-year-old woman from Deschutes County who tested positive Oct. 18 and died Nov. 1 at her residence.
Oregon’s 5,260th COVID-19 related death is an 84-year-old man from Klamath County who tested positive Nov. 22 and died Dec. 3 at Sky Lakes Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,261st COVID-19 related death is an 80-year-old woman from Josephine County who tested positive Nov. 29 and died Dec. 2 at Providence Medford Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,262nd COVID-19 related death is an 81-year-old man from Douglas County who tested positive Dec. 1 and died Dec. 2 at Mercy Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,263rd COVID-19 related death is a 54-year-old man from Crook County who tested positive Nov. 14 and died Dec. 3 at St. Charles Bend.
Oregon’s 5,264th COVID-19 related death is a 58-year-old man from Benton County who tested positive Nov. 22 and died Nov. 22 at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,265th COVID-19 related death is a 53-year-old woman from Yamhill County who tested positive Nov. 23 and died Nov. 24 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,266th COVID-19 related death is a 69-year-old man from Washington County who tested positive Oct. 31 and died Nov. 27.
Oregon’s 5,267th COVID-19 related death is a 71-year-old man from Polk County who tested positive Nov. 8 and died Dec. 2 at Salem Hospital.
Oregon’s 5,268th COVID-19 related death is a 93-year-old woman from Josephine County who tested positive Nov. 24 and died Nov. 26 at Sky Lakes Medical Center.
Updated information is known about Oregon’s 5,232nd COVID-19 related death, a 72-year-old woman from Josephine County who tested positive Sept. 4 and died Oct. 25.
Note from OHA: Oregon’s 5,243rd COVID-19 related death is an 85-year-old woman from Linn County who tested positive Oct. 8 and died Oct. 21 at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital.
Tuesday, December 7
Oregon’s 5,269th COVID-19 related death is a 61-year-old woman from Clackamas County who tested positive Sept. 21 and died Sept. 30 at Providence Portland Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,270th COVID-19 related death is a 70-year-old woman from Klamath County who tested positive Sept. 14 and died Oct. 1 at Sky Lakes Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,271st COVID-19 related death is an 89-year-old man from Marion County who tested positive on Sept. 14 and died Oct. 1 at his residence.
Oregon’s 5,272nd death is a 78-year-old woman from Multnomah County who tested positive Sept. 8 and died Oct. 23 at her residence.
Oregon’s 5,273rd COVID-19 related death is a 62-year-old man from Deschutes County who tested positive Oct. 12 and died Oct. 26 at St. Charles Bend.
Oregon’s 5,274th COVID-19 related death is a 50-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive Oct. 21 and died Nov. 7 at his residence.
Oregon’s 5,275th COVID-19 related death is a 98-year-old woman from Multnomah County who tested positive Oct. 4 and died Oct. 18 at her residence.
Oregon’s 5,276th COVID-19 related death is a 95-year-old woman from Wasco County who tested positive Oct. 1 and died Nov. 3 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,277th COVID-19 related death is a 64-year-old man from Marion County who tested positive Oct. 9 and died Oct. 23 at Kaiser Westside Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,278th COVID-19 related death is an 83-year-old woman from Washington County who tested positive Oct. 20 and died Nov. 2 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,279th COVID-19 related death is a 75-year-old man from Jefferson County who tested positive Oct. 28 and died Oct. 27 at his residence.
Oregon’s 5,280th COVID-19 related death is an 84-year-old woman from Deschutes County who tested positive Nov. 1 and died Nov. 10 at her residence.
Oregon’s 5,281st COVID-19 related death is a 59-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive Oct. 7 and died Oct. 29 at Adventist Health Portland.
Oregon’s 5,282nd COVID-19 related death is an 88-year-old man from Clackamas County who tested positive Oct. 22 and died Oct. 29 at his residence.
Oregon’s 5,283rd COVID-19 related death is a 59-year-old man from Deschutes County who tested positive Oct. 25 and died Oct. 26 at St. Charles Bend.
Oregon’s 5,284th COVID-19 related death is a 47-year-old man from Deschutes County who tested positive Oct. 10 and died Oct. 10 at St. Charles Bend.
Oregon’s 5,285th COVID-19 related death is a 96-year-old woman from Lincoln County who tested positive Oct. 4 and died Oct. 18 at her residence.
Oregon’s 5,286th COVID-19 related death is a 48-year-old man from Lincoln County who tested positive Nov. 3 and died Dec. 3 at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,287th COVID-19 related death is a 94-year-old man from Lane County who died Sept. 22 at his residence
Oregon’s 5,288th COVID-19 related death is an 81-year-old woman from Josephine County who tested positive Nov. 19 and died Dec. 5 at Asante Three Rivers Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,289th COVID-19 related death is a 75-year-old man from Jefferson County who died Sept. 18 at St. Charles Bend.
Oregon’s 5,290th COVID-19 related death is a 72-year-old woman from Deschutes County who tested positive Sept. 28 and died Oct. 11 at St. Charles Bend.
Oregon’s 5,291st COVID-19 related death is an 85-year-old woman from Deschutes County who died Sept. 3 at St. Charles Bend. 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 5,292nd COVID-19 related death is a 78-year-old woman from Clackamas County who tested positive Sept. 24 and died Oct. 15 at Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,293rd COVID-19 related death is an 87-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive Sept. 22 and died Oct. 26 at his residence.
Oregon’s 5,294th COVID-19 related death is an 85-year-old man from Marion County who tested positive Oct. 21 and died Nov. 19 at his residence.
Oregon’s 5,295th COVID-19 related death is a 58-year-old man from Malheur County who died on Aug. 26 at his residence.
Oregon’s 5,296th COVID-19 related death is a 72-year-old woman from Lincoln County who tested positive Nov. 22 and died Dec. 5.
Oregon’s 5,297th COVID-19 related death is a 45-year-old man from Washington County who tested positive Dec. 2 and died Nov. 30 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. \
Oregon’s 5,298th COVID-19 related death is a 60-year-old man from Union County who tested positive Nov. 20 and died Dec. 5 at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,299th COVID-19 related death is a 69-year-old man from Multnomah County who died Oct. 18 at his residence.
From OHA: Updated information is known about Oregon’s 5,244th COVID-19 related death, a 69-year-old man from Lane County who tested positive Oct. 12 and died Oct. 24 at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend. He was originally reported as an 80-year-old man who died Oct. 14 at his residence.
Updated information is known about Oregon’s 5,268th COVID-19 related death, a 93-year-old woman from Klamath County. She was originally reported as a Josephine County resident.
Wednesday, December 8
Oregon’s 5,300th COVID-19 related death is a 62-year-old woman from Multnomah County who tested positive Aug. 28 and died Oct. 25 at Providence Portland Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,301st COVID-19 related death is a 62-year-old woman from Clackamas County who tested positive Sept. 20 and died Oct. 27 at Providence Portland Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,302nd COVID-19 related death is an 80-year-old woman from Washington County who tested positive Oct. 16 and died Oct. 24 at her residence.
Oregon’s 5,303rd COVID-19 related death is an 81-year-old man from Linn County who tested positive Aug. 11 and died Oct. 10 at his residence.
Oregon’s 5,304th COVID-19 related death is a 72-year-old man from Polk County who tested positive Nov. 7 and died Nov. 24 at his residence.
Oregon’s 5,305th COVID-19 related death is a 78-year-old woman from Multnomah County who tested positive Nov. 12 and died Nov. 28 at Adventist Health Portland.
Oregon’s 5,306th COVID-19 related death is a 66-year-old man from Linn County who tested positive Nov. 19 and died Nov. 29 at Samaritan Albany General Hospital.
Oregon’s 5,307th COVID-19 related death is a 90-year-old man from Linn County who tested positive Sept. 6 and died Oct. 11 at his residence.
Oregon’s 5,308th COVID-19 related death is a 62-year-old man from Jackson County who tested positive Nov. 12 and died Dec. 6 at Ashland Community Hospital.
Oregon’s 5,309th COVID-19 related death is a 71-year-old woman from Douglas County who tested positive Dec. 4 and died Dec. 5 at Stanford Medical Center, in San Jose, California.
Oregon’s 5,310th COVID-19 related death is a 73-year-old man from Douglas County who tested positive Nov. 26 and died Dec. 6 at Mercy Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,311th COVID-19 related death is a 96-year-old woman from Douglas County who tested positive Nov. 17 and died Nov. 25 at her residence.
Oregon’s 5,312th COVID-19 related death is an 83-year-old woman from Clackamas County who died Dec. 6 at Mercy Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,313th COVID-19 related death is a 62-year-old woman from Baker County who tested positive Nov. 16 and died Dec. 1.
Oregon’s 5,314th COVID-19 related death is a 74-year-old woman from Jackson County who tested positive Dec. 5 and died Dec. 7 at Providence Medford Medical Center.
Oregon’s 5,315th COVID-19 related death is a 57-year-old woman from Josephine County who died Nov. 28 at her residence. \
Oregon’s 5,316th COVID-19 related death is a 77-year-old man from Tillamook County who tested positive Oct. 26 and died Dec. 6 at Adventist Health Portland.
Oregon’s 5,317th COVID-19 related death is a 47-year-old woman from Marion County who died Nov. 11 at Santiam Hospital. 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 5,318th COVID-19 related death is a 78-year-old man from Lake County who tested positive Oct. 13 and died Oct.19 at St. Charles Bend.
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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