Oregon coronavirus updates, March 23: State passes 7,000 COVID-19 deaths

Connor Radnovich, Salem Statesman Journal
·3 min read

To provide our community with important public safety information, the Statesman Journal is making this daily update related to the coronavirus free to read.

We'll update this story throughout the day with the latest news about coronavirus and its effects in Oregon on Wednesday, March 23.

State passes 7,000 COVID-19 deaths

The Oregon Health Authority reported 30 additional deaths from COVID-19 Wednesday, pushing the state above 7,000 total coronavirus deaths since the pandemic began two years ago.

The state's death toll is 7,013.

While cases and hospitalizations continue to decline, public health officials noted this milestone as indicative of the impact the pandemic has had on Oregonians.

“We again are reminded that COVID-19 continues to impact families and communities in Oregon, and we recognize each person represents a tremendous loss to those closest to them,” said Dr. Dean Sidelinger, health officer and state epidemiologist.

The age and county of residence of those whose deaths were reported will be released at a later date.

OHA also reported 314 new cases of COVID-19, including 25 from Marion County and two from Polk County.

Hospitals statewide are treating 165 patients with COVID-19, including 27 in intensive care unit beds. The state's adult ICU bed capacity is 87% and non-ICU bed capacity is 92%.

According to OHA's weekly report, all key COVID-19 metrics declined during the week of March 14-17 from the previous week. New cases declined by 19% and new hospitalizations declined by 31% to their lowest weekly total since late July.

Ninety COVID-19 deaths were reported last week, down from 142 the week prior.

COVID-19 by the numbers statewide

Here's the most recent data from the Oregon Health Authority, as of Wednesday, March 23:

  • 7,013: People who have died from COVID-19.

  • 702,288: Total cases of COVID-19.

  • 165: COVID-19 patients in hospitals.

Oregon COVID-19 cases by county

Here are the number of cases, both for tested positive and presumptive, and deaths as of Wednesday, March 23:

  • Baker: 3,204 cases, 46 deaths.

  • Benton: 15,003 cases, 66 deaths.

  • Clackamas: 59,747 cases, 569 deaths.

  • Clatsop: 4,573 cases, 42 deaths.

  • Columbia: 7,536 cases, 78 deaths.

  • Coos: 10,614 cases, 147 deaths.

  • Crook: 6,031 cases, 77 deaths.

  • Curry: 3,324 cases, 49 deaths.

  • Deschutes: 45,758 cases, 260 deaths.

  • Douglas: 19,672 cases, 379 deaths.

  • Gilliam: 283 cases, 5 deaths.

  • Grant: 1,655 cases, 20 deaths.

  • Harney: 1,599 cases, 37 deaths.

  • Hood River: 3,530 cases, 42 deaths.

  • Jackson: 42,520 cases, 505 deaths.

  • Jefferson: 7,200 cases, 86 deaths.

  • Josephine: 16,276 cases, 318 deaths.

  • Klamath: 14,072 cases, 207 deaths.

  • Lake: 1,399 cases, 25 deaths.

  • Lane: 56,995 cases, 495 deaths.

  • Lincoln: 6,988 cases, 79 deaths.

  • Linn: 26,340 cases, 247 deaths.

  • Malheur: 8,198 cases, 105 deaths.

  • Marion: 68,650 cases, 689 deaths.

  • Morrow: 2,950 cases, 32 deaths.

  • Multnomah: 112,471 cases, 1116 deaths.

  • Polk: 15,214 cases, 127 deaths.

  • Sherman: 317 cases, 4 deaths.

  • Tillamook: 3,631 cases, 60 deaths.

  • Umatilla: 22,296 cases, 206 deaths.

  • Union: 5,012 cases, 74 deaths.

  • Wallowa: 1,249 cases, 15 deaths.

  • Wasco: 5,106 cases, 58 deaths.

  • Washington: 84,952 cases, 540 deaths.

  • Wheeler: 242 cases, 3 death.

  • Yamhill: 17,681 cases, 205 deaths.

Source: Oregon Health Authority

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon COVID-19 updates: State passes 7,000 coronavirus deaths