Oregon COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations Both Drop Slightly

PORTLAND, OR — It's far too early to say that it's cause for celebration or that the omicron-driven surge that's gripped the state since late last year is over. But Oregon definitely hit a welcome milestone.

On Wednesday, the Oregon Health Authority reported that the total number of COVD-19 cases reported in the state dropped for a third straight day. Also, for the time in weeks, the number of people hospitalized also dropped.

The OHA reported that there were 5,143 cases reported and 1,104 people in the hospital.

There were also 39 more deaths reported, tempering the positive news.

Overall, Oregon had 43,606 new cases reported the week that ended Sunday. That's 22 percent lower than the previous week and the lowest weekly total this year.

Hospitalizations saw an almost 14 percent week. Officials say that's expected since hospitalizations are a lagging indicator, meaning the numbers follow cases by a week or two.

The 5,143 new cases were spread among 35 of the state's 36 counties.

Here's the county by county breakdown of new cases:

Baker (30), Benton (197), Clackamas (332), Clatsop (37), Columbia (52), Coos (93), Crook (64), Curry (19), Deschutes (305), Douglas (143), Gilliam (4), Grant (6), Harney (22), Hood River (24), Jackson (389), Jefferson (29), Josephine (125), Klamath (83), Lake (16), Lane (449), Lincoln (98), Linn (289), Malheur (15), Marion (561), Morrow (11), Multnomah (628), Polk (144), Sherman (2), Tillamook (28), Umatilla (114), Union (43), Wallowa (12), Wasco (30), Washington (511), and Yamhill (268).