April
1, 2020
PORTLAND, Ore. — COVID-19 has
claimed one more life in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 19, the
Oregon Health Authority reported at 8 a.m. today.
Oregon Health
Authority also reported 47 new cases of COVID-19 as of 8 a.m. today. The new
COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Benton (1),
Clackamas (6), Deschutes (3), Douglas (1), Jackson (1), Lane (2), Lincoln (1),
Marion (10), Multnomah (18), Washington (3), and Yamhill (1). One case
previously reported in Hood River County was identified as a resident of
another state; thus, today’s statewide case count is 736. Oregon Health
Authority reports new cases once a day on its website: www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus.
Oregon’s nineteenth
COVID-19 death is a 70-year-old woman in Multnomah County, who tested positive
on March 27, 2020, and died on March 29, 2020 at her residence. She had
underlying medical conditions.
Update: The COVID-19 case
data OHA publishes once a day on its website and shares once a day with the
media are provisional and subject to change. A case reported yesterday as a
Hood River County case was later determined to be a Washington State case. The
total number of new cases reported as of yesterday has changed from 690 to 689.
Latest COVID-19 projections show
social distancing can cut coronavirus infections if Oregonians keep current
measures in place into May
Updated projections from health researchers show that there is “strong evidence that measures
currently in place in Oregon are reducing transmission,” according to the
latest models. The most recent data suggest that current social
distancing measures could cut transmission rates between 50%-70% if Oregonians
maintain these limitations on virus-spreading interactions into early May.
If Oregonians can
maintain current social distancing efforts and the current projections hold
true, the state could meet the likely demand for hospital beds under current
strategies.
According to the
latest report, researchers estimate that Oregon has slightly higher numbers of
current infections than previously assessed, based on an increase in reported
cases from earlier time points.
- COVID-19
infections: Under current social
distancing conditions with the cooperation of most Oregonians to Stay Home, Save Lives,
it is estimated that in early May Oregon would have over 4,000 cumulative
infections and 200-1,200 active infections. However, if the state were to
reopen non-essential businesses (while keeping schools closed), the number
of new infections would spike to as many as 3,500 active infections by
early May
- Hospital
beds needed: Researchers found “expected
demand for hospital beds is predicted to remain relatively constant before
decreasing, assuming current or strengthened interventions and continued
high compliance
- Uncertainty: Researchers highlighted that the projections remain
uncertain. In coming weeks, state public health officials and researchers
will get a better picture of current actual infections and how they affect
the projections, as well as more data on the public’s continued adherence
to social distancing measures.
The models state
health officials released today were prepared by the Institute for Disease
Modeling, based in Washington.
Oregon’s emergency
response continues to focus on strengthening the health care system’s ability to meet
the coming surge. State health officials are working with hospitals
and other health care partners to mobilize the health care workforce and keep
workers safe, expand bed capacity and secure more ventilators. However, the
public’s ability to maintain social distancing will be the most important
factor in determining whether Oregon prevents local hospitals from becoming
overwhelmed by COVID-19 admissions.
Dr. Dean
Sidelinger, state health officer at OHA, said: “We know coronavirus has brought
painful disruption and distress for Oregonians. However, these numbers tell us
that what we’re doing can work. We know social distancing is tough and comes
with incredible sacrifices. But steps we’re all taking to maintain social
distancing could save the lives of people we know and people who are important
to us. As Oregonians, we all must continue to put Stay Home, Save Lives into practice.”
Stay informed about COVID-19:
Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority leads the state response.
United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.
Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.