Omicron Surge Appears To Have Peaked In Oregon; Schools To Being Making Masking Decisions March 31st

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Authorities say the surge of the omicron variant appears to have peaked in Oregon.

State Health Officer  Dr. Dean Sidelinger said Friday new COVID-19 cases have fallen 71% from the peak three weeks ago.

The Statesman-Journal reports daily COVID-19 related hospitalizations appear to have crested in late January, at a level just below the peak of the delta variant surge.

On Friday, hospitalizations fell below 1,000 for the first time in three weeks.

On Monday, OHA announced the state will lift mask requirements for schools on March 31, and general indoor mask requirements for public places no later than March 31.

Those requirements need to stay in place for now, Sidelinger said, because the state’s health care system is under strain.

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (13), Benton (53), Clackamas (226), Clatsop (19), Columbia (39), Coos (59), Crook (31), Curry (25), Deschutes (155), Douglas (52), Grant (3), Harney (4), Hood River (11), Jackson (186), Jefferson (21), Josephine (113), Klamath (93), Lake (5), Lane (266), Lincoln (39), Linn (169), Malheur (6), Marion (207), Morrow (8), Multnomah (310), Polk (81), Sherman (1), Tillamook (14), Umatilla (40), Union (15), Wallowa (3), Wasco (9), Washington (310), Wheeler (1), Yamhill (66).

Oregon’s 1,968th COVID-19-related death was identified to be an out-of-state resident. As a result, the deaths are renumbered starting from 6,344.

Oregon’s 6,344th COVID-19-related death is an 86-year-old woman from Multnomah County who became symptomatic Dec. 5, 2021, and died Dec. 27, 2021, at her residence. The death certificate listed COVID-19 disease or SARS-CoV-2 as a cause of death or a significant condition contributing to death. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 6,345th COVID-19-related death is a 41-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive Feb. 2 and died Feb. 7 at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 6,346th COVID-19-related death is a 94-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive Jan. 24 and died Feb. 10 at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 6,347th COVID-19-related death is a 46-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive Jan. 21 and died Feb. 9 at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 6,348th COVID-19-related death is a 99-year-old woman from Union County who tested positive Feb. 2 and died Feb. 9 at Grande Ronde Hospital. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 6,349th COVID-19-related death is a 93-year-old man from Clackamas County who tested positive Feb. 6 and died Feb. 7 at Kaiser Permanente Sunnyside Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 6,350th COVID-19-related death is a 71-year-old woman from Clackamas County who tested positive Jan. 21 and died Feb. 10 at Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 6,351st COVID-19-related death is an 82-year-old woman from Baker County who tested positive Jan. 11 and died Jan. 29 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 6,352nd COVID-19-related death is an 83-year-old woman from Jackson County who tested positive Jan. 25 and died Jan. 29 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 6,353rd COVID-19-related death is a 79-year-old woman from Jackson County who tested positive Jan. 19 and died Feb. 9 at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 6,354th COVID-19-related death is an 84-year-old man from Crook County who tested positive Jan. 19 and died Feb. 5 at his residence. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 6,355th COVID-19-related death is an 81-year-old man from Crook County who tested positive Oct. 5 and died Jan. 26 at his residence. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

More information is known about Oregon’s 2,551st COVID-19-related death, a 25-year-old man from Clackamas County. He was originally reported May 12 as a Jackson County resident.

–SCHOOLS TO BEGIN Making MASKING DECISIONS MARCH 31st–

Oregon Department of Education Director Colt Gill says school districts will be given the power to begin making masking decisions on March 31st, “Independent decisions will be based on their COVID experiences and their communities.”

He says before a decision is made, districts will need to consult with families, communities, public health officials, and school employees.