Oregon Omicron Fuels Surge, State Hits More Than 2,400 Cases/Day

PORTLAND, OR — If there was anyone left with doubt about whether omicron has arrived in Oregon, the report from the Oregon Health Authority released Monday should take care of that. The report says that from Thursday through Sunday, the state record 9,701 cases for an average of more than 2,400 each day.

The state also recorded its largest single-day number of new COVID-19 cases – 3,534 – since the pandemic began. That record was set on Thursday, December 30.

There have now been a total of 430,931 cases recorded in Oregon. There were also 11 new deaths, bringing the number of Oregonians who have died to 5,666.

"We already have seen the impacts of the highly transmissible omicron variant across the country since late December," Deputy State Health Officer and Epidemiologist Dr. Tom Jeanne said.

"Our data show the Omicron variant is here and now fueling the surge in cases. It will likely lead to a rise in hospitalizations and, sadly, deaths."

The surge is also hurting hospitals around the state.

There are 498 people hospitalized – 104 in intensive care – across the state because of COVID-19, an increase of 36 since yesterday. Overall, less than 10 percent of adult beds around the state are available.

Jeanne says that the surge is a good reminder that everyone should get a booster shot – or vaccinated if they haven't already.

He says that you can find a place to get booster here.

Meanwhile, OHA says the new cases were spread across 34 of Oregon's 36 counties.

Here's the county by county breakdown:

Baker (16), Benton (243), Clackamas (1057), Clatsop (50), Columbia (58), Coos (44), Crook (22), Curry (27), Deschutes (881), Douglas (119), Gilliam (5), Grant (3), Harney (7), Hood River (7), Jackson (572), Jefferson (71), Josephine (161), Klamath (27), Lane (696), Lincoln (96), Linn (280), Malheur (11), Marion (231), Morrow (16), Multnomah (2565), Polk (66), Tillamook (69), Umatilla (61), Union (41), Wallowa (6), Wasco (21), Washington (2079), Wheeler (2) and Yamhill (91).

Here's what the state has released about the 11 people who died over the 11 new reported deaths:

Oregon’s 5,656th COVID-19-related death is a 69-year-old man from Washington County who tested positive Nov. 26 and died Dec. 23 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 5,657th COVID-19-related death is a 69-year-old man from Yamhill County who tested positive Dec. 20 and died Dec. 26 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 5,658th COVID-19-related death is a 70-year-old man from Yamhill County who tested positive Dec. 10 and died Dec. 30 at Willamette Valley Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 5,659th COVID-19-related death is a 65-year-old man from Clackamas County who tested positive Dec. 24 and died Dec. 30 at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center. He had no underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 5,660th COVID-19-related death is a 51-year-old woman from Multnomah County who tested positive Dec. 22 and died Dec. 24 at Adventist Health Portland. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 5,661st COVID-19-related death is a 66-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive Dec. 15 and died Dec. 16 at Adventist Health Portland. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 5,662nd COVID-19-related death is a 75-year-old man from Josephine County who tested positive Dec. 6 and died Dec. 29 at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 5,663rd COVID-19-related death is a 75-year-old man from Jackson County who tested positive Dec. 19 and died Dec. 31 at Providence Medford Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 5,664th COVID-19-related death is a 61-year-old man from Jackson County who tested positive Nov. 13 and died Dec. 29 at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 5,665th COVID-19-related death is a 93-year-old woman from Jackson County who tested positive Sept. 14 and died Dec. 24 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 5,666th COVID-19-related death is a 66-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive Dec. 29 and died Dec. 30 at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

This article originally appeared on the Portland Patch