Oregon coronavirus update, Dec. 15: 907 new cases, 39 deaths

Connor Radnovich, Salem Statesman Journal
·3 min read

To provide our community with important public safety information, the Statesman Journal is making this daily update related to the coronavirus free to read.

We'll update this story with the latest news about coronavirus and its effects in Oregon on Wednesday, Dec. 15.

907 new cases, 39 deaths

The Oregon Health Authority reported 907 new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday, along with 39 deaths.

Marion County accounted for 90 cases, while Polk County had 28.

Of those whose deaths were reported, seven lived in Marion County:

  • An 81-year-old man who died Oct. 21 at his residence.

  • A 58-year-old man who died Oct. 22 at his residence.

  • A 91-year-old woman who died Oct. 27 at her residence.

  • A 41-year-old man who died Dec. 9 at Oregon Health & University Hospital.

  • An 88-year-old woman who died Dec. 9 at Salem Hospital.

  • An 80-year-old man who died Dec. 11 at Salem Hospital.

  • A 70-year-old man who died Dec. 12 at Salem Hospital.

Hospitals statewide were treating 380 patients with COVID-19, including 94 in intensive care unit beds.

The state's adult ICU bed capacity is at 90% and non-ICU bed capacity is at 95%.

New cases, hospitalizations decline

New coronavirus cases and hospitalizations declined last week compared to the previous week, according to the Oregon Health Authority's weekly report released Wednesday.

From Dec. 6-12, the state recorded 5,063 new cases, a 21% week-over-week decrease. The percentage of positive tests fell to 5% from 5.9%.

Hospitalizations decreased slightly to 360 from 362 the previous week.

However, recorded deaths increased by 17%, up to 152 last week from 126.

COVID-19 patients at Salem Health

Coronavirus patient numbers at Salem Health on Wednesday, Dec. 15:

  • 51: Total COVID-19 inpatients, 59% unvaccinated.

  • 5: COVID-19 patients in the ICU.

  • 0: COVID-19 patients on a ventilator.

COVID-19 by the numbers statewide

Here's the most recent data from the Oregon Health Authority, as of Wednesday, Dec. 15:

  • 5,508: People who have died from COVID-19.

  • 403,329: Total cases of COVID-19.

  • 380: COVID-19 patients in hospitals.

Oregon COVID-19 cases by county

Here are the number of cases, both tested positive and presumptive, and deaths as of Wednesday, Dec. 15.

  • Baker: 2,257 cases, 36 deaths.

  • Benton: 6,351 cases, 42 deaths.

  • Clackamas: 33,814 cases, 415 deaths.

  • Clatsop: 2,727 cases, 35 deaths.

  • Columbia: 4,514 cases, 60 deaths.

  • Coos: 6,058 cases, 114 deaths.

  • Crook: 3,526 cases, 60 deaths.

  • Curry: 1,961 cases, 39 deaths.

  • Deschutes: 24,399 cases, 207 deaths.

  • Douglas: 13,911 cases, 309 deaths.

  • Gilliam: 190 cases, 4 deaths.

  • Grant: 1,108 cases, 17 deaths.

  • Harney: 1,234 cases, 33 deaths.

  • Hood River: 2,214 cases, 37 deaths.

  • Jackson: 25,615 cases, 374 deaths.

  • Jefferson: 4,315 cases, 69 deaths.

  • Josephine: 10,562 cases, 257 deaths.

  • Klamath: 9,211 cases, 162 deaths.

  • Lake: 1,068 cases, 21 deaths.

  • Lane: 30,962 cases, 369 deaths.

  • Lincoln: 3,761 cases, 57 deaths.

  • Linn: 15,322 cases, 201 deaths.

  • Malheur: 5,961 cases, 94 deaths.

  • Marion: 40,895 cases, 538 deaths.

  • Morrow: 2,003 cases, 25 deaths.

  • Multnomah: 62,042 cases, 890 deaths.

  • Polk: 8,540 cases, 108 deaths.

  • Sherman: 195 cases, 3 deaths.

  • Tillamook: 2,286 cases, 48 deaths.

  • Umatilla: 15,254 cases, 185 deaths.

  • Union: 3,467 cases, 59 deaths.

  • Wallowa: 768 cases, 13 deaths.

  • Wasco: 3,240 cases, 47 deaths.

  • Washington: 43,352 cases, 427 deaths.

  • Wheeler: 138 cases, 1 death.

  • Yamhill: 10,106 cases, 152 deaths.

Source: Oregon Health Authority

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon COVID-19 update: 907 new cases, 39 deaths