Oregon’s COVID-19 Cases Increased From Prior Week but Are Still Lower Than Two Weeks Ago

Experts have warned that there is a potential for another surge as the country races to get vaccinations to as many people as possible.

Vaccinations at Oregon Convention Center. (Jeff Andersen / OHSU)
By Rachel Monahan

New COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths increased in Oregon in the week ending Feb. 28. But those numbers were still down from two weeks prior.

There were 2,652 new cases, 164 new hospitalizations, and 57 deaths in the last week of February. That ended three straight weeks of declining cases.

Oregon has made strides in its race to contain the pandemic this spring, delivering the one-millionth dose of COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday. But the virus isn’t conceding.

From Feb. 22 to 28, Oregon saw a 17% increase in cases over the previous week. The state increased the number of tests it administered after a low number the prior week, which may have been kept down due to winter weather. But even as the number of tests increased, the percentage coming back positive also rose—from 3.5% to 3.7%.

The number of new hospitalizations was also slightly higher than the previous week, by five people.

The number of deaths was the lowest number since the week of Nov. 9-15, other than the previous week, according to Oregon Health Authority's weekly report.

At the same time, documented cases of more contagious variants continued to grow. Yesterday, OHA announced a case of the Brazilian variant, the first in the state, had been identified, and there are now 11 identified cases of the British variant.

Experts have warned there is a potential for another surge as the nation races to get vaccinations to as many people as possible.

Related: Whether the Pandemic Goes Out With a Bang or a Whimper Depends on Whether Oregon Can Outrace the Virus Variants

Statewide, there are now 56 active outbreaks in nursing homes and other senior living facilities, which is notable because Oregon (and other states) prioritized them for vaccinations beginning in December.

But the vaccination drive appears to have had an impact: Oregon saw a sharp decline in ongoing outbreaks as the state passed its millionth COVID-19 vaccine dose, administered Wednesday. We've seen a drop every week since Jan. 21, when there were 208 outbreaks at facilities for seniors.

Related: Face Masks Aren't Going Out of Style. Maybe You Should Wear Two.

Unlike the state as a whole, Multnomah County continued to see a drop in new cases this week.

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