CORONAVIRUS

Oregon coronavirus update, April 14: New variants exploding in Oregon

Tracy Loew
Salem Statesman Journal

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We'll update this story throughout the day with the latest news about coronavirus and its effects in Oregon on Wednesday, April 14.

COVID-19 variants exploding in Oregon

Reports of COVID-19 variants of concern have exploded in Oregon.

On Wednesday, the state reported eight cases of the B.1.351 variant, first identified in South Africa. It previously was unreported in Oregon.

The state reported four cases of the P.1 variant, first identified in Brazil. That’s up from one case last week.

It reported 69 cases of the B.1.1.7 variant, first reported in the U.K., up from 22 last week.

And it reported 598 combined cases of the two California variants (B.1.427 and B.1.429), up from 271 last week.

All of the variants are worrisome because health officials say they spread more easily and may cause more severe disease.

The Oregon Health Authority has not updated its variant data dashboard, which shows which in which region of the state the variants were identified.

Last week, the dashboard showed the majority of variants were identified in the region comprising Marion, Polk, Yamhill, Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties.

Oregon reports 816 new cases, three new deaths

Oregon has reported 816 new COVID-19 cases, and three new deaths.

That brings the state’s cumulative case total to 172,206 and the death toll to 2,449.

Marion County reported 83 new cases. Polk County reported 18 new cases.

Other counties’ new cases are: Baker (14), Benton (25), Clackamas (97), Clatsop (2), Columbia (13), Coos (4), Crook (2), Curry (3), Deschutes (84), Douglas (8), Grant (32), Harney (1), Hood River (8), Jackson (50), Jefferson (3), Josephine (19), Klamath (27), Lane (49), Lincoln (6), Linn (23), Malheur (2), Morrow (1), Multnomah (126), Sherman (1), Tillamook (1), Umatilla (9), Union (2), Wasco (8), Washington (86) and Yamhill (9).

There were 200 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 Wednesday. Of those, 52 were in intensive care and 20 were on ventilators.

Oregon has now administered 2,354,634 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. That’s 78% of the 3,004,755 doses the state has received.

Newly reported deaths are:

  • A 66-year-old woman in Tillamook County who tested positive on March 17 and died on April 13 at Oregon Health & Science University Hospital. She had no underlying conditions.
  • An 88-year-old woman in Union County who tested positive on February 22 and died on March 15. Location of death is being confirmed. She had underlying conditions.
  • A 56-year-old man in Klamath County who tested positive on March 1 and died on April 7 at Sky Lakes Medical Center. He had no underlying conditions.

Oregon coronavirus cases by the numbers

Here's the most recent data from the Oregon Health Authority, as of Wednesday, April 14.

  •  2,449: Deaths from COVID-19.
  • 172,206: Total cases.
  • 200: Patients hospitalized.

Oregon COVID-19 cases by county

Here are the number of cases, both tested positive and presumptive, and deaths as of Wednesday, April 14.

  • Baker: 826 cases, 13 deaths.
  • Benton: 2,698 cases, 18 deaths.
  • Clackamas: 15,074 cases, 202 deaths.
  • Clatsop: 877 cases, 8 deaths.
  • Columbia: 1,518 cases, 25 deaths.
  • Coos: 1,951 cases, 31 deaths.
  • Crook: 848 cases, 19 deaths.
  • Curry: 585 cases, 9 deaths.
  • Deschutes: 6,877 cases, 72 deaths.
  • Douglas: 3,014 cases, 65 deaths.
  • Gilliam: 55 cases.1 death.
  • Grant: 378 cases, 4 deaths.
  • Harney: 304 cases, 6 deaths.
  • Hood River: 1,115 cases, 29 deaths.
  • Jackson: 9,760 cases, 126 deaths.
  • Jefferson: 2,051 cases, 32 deaths.
  • Josephine: 3,000 cases, 62 deaths.
  • Klamath: 3,319 cases, 58 deaths.
  • Lake: 412 cases, 7 deaths.
  • Lane: 11,346 cases, 144 deaths.
  • Lincoln: 1,287 cases, 20 deaths.
  • Linn: 4,062 cases, 62 deaths.
  • Malheur: 3,423 cases, 58 deaths.
  • Marion: 19,919 cases, 299 deaths.
  • Morrow: 1,072 cases, 15 deaths.
  • Multnomah: 34,438 cases, 566 deaths.
  • Polk: 3383 cases, 51 deaths.
  • Sherman: 57 cases. 
  • Tillamook: 570 cases, 3 deaths.
  • Umatilla: 7,935 cases, 83 deaths.
  • Union: 1406 cases, 24 deaths.
  • Wallowa: 156 cases, 5 deaths.
  • Wasco: 1,272 cases, 28 deaths.
  • Washington: 23145 cases, 229 deaths.
  • Wheeler: 25 cases, 1 death.
  • Yamhill: 4048 cases, 74 deaths.

Source: Oregon Health Authority