Oregon reports 2 more COVID-19 deaths, 151 new cases

(Update: Adding weekly testing summary)

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ)  — COVID-19 has claimed two more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 511, the Oregon Health Authority reported Monday.

Oregon Health Authority reported 151 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. Monday, bringing the state total to 29,484 cases, along with 585,320 negative test results.

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported Monday are in the following counties: Clackamas (18), Columbia (1), Coos (1), Deschutes (3), Douglas (3), Jackson (4), Jefferson (1), Klamath (1), Lane (19), Malheur (13), Marion (11), Morrow (2), Multnomah (27), Polk (1), Umatilla (23), Union (1), Wasco (1), Washington (18), and Yamhill (3).

Crook County has reported 59 COVID-19 cases, one deaths and 2,404 negative test results. Deschutes County has had 726 cases, 12 deaths and 27,075 negative test results. Jefferson County has had 488 cases, eight deaths and 4,419 negative test results.

St. Charles Health System reported two COVID-19 patients as of 8:30 a.m. Monday. One is in the ICU on a ventilator.

Oregon’s 510th COVID-19 death is an 87-year-old man in Lane County who tested positive on Sept. 1 and died on Sept. 13, in his residence. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 511th COVID-19 death is a 92-year-old woman in Washington County who tested positive on Aug. 20. More details about her death are pending. She had underlying conditions.

TESTING NOTE: Wildfires and hazardous air conditions have affected COVID-19 testing in Oregon. Over the past several days statewide testing numbers appear to have dipped. This is a lagging data point as tests are often reported several days after specimen collection. However, due to widespread hazardous conditions, people seeking testing may have declined. OHA will continue to monitor the situation.

The Oregon State Public Health Laboratory (OSPHL) is closed today Monday, Sept. 14, due to indoor air quality which is too hazardous to safely use appropriate air safety equipment including hoods. No specimens will be accepted or tested. Specimens already received at OSPHL are being held at appropriate temperatures pending testing. OSPHL will reopen as soon as air safety standards can be met.

OHA Releases Weekly Testing Summary

OHA’s most recent Weekly Testing Summary showed that as of Sept. 12, Oregon’s cumulative positivity rate is 4.6 percent of people tested. This is considerably lower than the national average of 8 percent. Of the 17,365 test results reported so far for the week of Sept. 6-12, 965 or 5.6 percent were positive. The total for that week is likely to rise as test results continue to be reported to OHA. Test positivity had been declining since a peak in late July; however, current results indicate a lower number of tests and a higher test positivity for the most recent week. OHA will continue to monitor the situation

Stay informed about COVID-19:

Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Office of Emergency Management lead the state response 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.