New information released this week shows the number of adults hospitalized with COVID-19 in Oregon at its lowest point since June 2020, dropping about 34% in April.
Additionally, the number of COVID-19 patients in hospital intensive care units is at its lowest point since April 2020.
Oregon Health Authority data shows 82 adults were hospitalized with COVID-19 on April 30th, six of whom were in the ICU. Test percentage positivity was also at its lowest point (2.4%) since June 2020.
OHA officials said COVID-19 is still out there and they expect case numbers to rise again, likely this fall and winter. However, overall community transmission is currently low.
Dr. Paul Cieslak, medical director for OHA's communicable diseases and immunizations, said COVID-19 is still with us and will always be with us. But he thinks there is substantial immunity to a number of variants within our population, and many of us have been vaccinated repeatedly with different variations of the virus. The virus is also far less likely to cause death than it once was.
OHA recommends everyone be up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccination. That includes people ages 65 and over getting a second dose of the 2023-24 vaccine.
