After declines, Oregon sees increase in COVID-19 cases again

As the highly transmissible delta variant sweeps across the country – fueling an increase in COVID-19 cases – Oregon is no exception.

For at least 11 straight weeks, COVID-19 cases had declined in Oregon, until last week. Health experts point to the highly contagious delta variant, first detected in India, as a factor as state and federal authorities continue to warn of an “unvaccinated pandemic”.

“The cases are increasing and this is certainly due to the increasing percentage of the delta variant in Oregon. This has been observed in communities around the world, ”Oregon Health Authority spokesperson Tim Heider said on Friday. “If you are fully vaccinated, you are well protected against COVID, including the delta variant. If you are not vaccinated, make a plan to do so and take precautions like wearing a mask indoors and in crowded places outdoors until you are vaccinated. “

Last week, the Oregon Health Authority reported 1,318 new cases of COVID-19, an 11% increase from the previous week. Hospitalizations went from 66 to 104.

While data from Oregon shows the delta variant only accounts for 5% of the state’s COVID-19 cases, officials say it is likely undercount because sequencing data can take weeks to be reported, and not all coronavirus cases are tested for the variant.

“The (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) estimate that the delta variant will continue to spread in the coming weeks and this increase will also be seen in Oregon,” read a statement from the health authority of the State.

The contagious variant has further heightened authorities’ concerns for unvaccinated people.

The outbreak in the United States is becoming “an unvaccinated pandemic” as nearly all hospital admissions and deaths are among those who had not been immunized, the CDC director warned on Friday, Dr Rochelle Walensky.

In Oregon, more than 70% of adults in Oregon have been fully or partially vaccinated. But in some rural counties, a significant portion of the population has still not received a vaccine.

In Multnomah County – the most populous county in the state and home to Portland – 74% of adults are fully or partially vaccinated. In Lake County, southern Oregon, only 36% of adults are partially or fully immunized. In 12 of the state’s 36 counties, less than 50% of adults in those counties have been vaccinated.

“It is not a question for unvaccinated people if they are going to catch the virus,” said Dr Jon Hitzman, public health official for Umatilla County – where 42% of adults are fully or partially vaccinated. – at The Oregonian / Oregon Live this week. “That’s when they’re going to get it and how sick they’re going to get.”

In addition, this week, the Oregon Health Authority announced a new target of 80% of adults of color receiving the COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the summer – in an effort to close the equity gap .

Officials say vaccination rates for Hispanic, Native American and black communities hover between 40 and 40 percent.

The possibility of increasing the persistence of coronavirus cases has some questioning whether the state will re-enforce the restrictions – including mask warrants, capacity limits, county risk levels that dictate the restrictions and requirements for distancing – which were lifted by Gov. Kate Brown on June 30.

That possibility became a reality for Los Angeles County when authorities announced that starting Saturday night, residents will again be required to wear masks in indoor public spaces – regardless of their immunization status.

As for Oregon, if cases, hospitalizations and deaths increase, then “nothing is ruled out” regarding the possibility of reinstating restrictions, said state epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger , in a public question-and-answer session this week.

“If disease increases significantly in Oregon or the United States, and hospitalizations increase – to such an extent that people may not have access to the quality care they deserve – then we’ll definitely talk if we need additional measures in place, ”Sidelinger said.

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Sara Cline is a member of the Associated Press / Report for America Statehouse News Initiative body. Report for America is a national, nonprofit service program that places reporters in local newsrooms to cover undercover issues.