PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon saw it's highest-ever coronavirus case count last week, the Oregon Health Authority reported on Wednesday — marking an increase of 34 percent more cases than the week prior.
During the week of Monday, October 26 through Sunday, November 1, OHA recorded 3,542 new cases of COVID-19. That week also marked the second week in a row to set record daily case counts.
While OHA reported that 34,591 Oregonians were tested last week, the test positivity rate continued its sharp rise, reaching 8.4 percent.
A total of 37 deaths were attributed to COVID-19 that week, ten more than the week prior. OHA said that 160 people were hospitalized.
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Cases continue to be most prevalent among younger people who are at a lower risk of serious complications. People between the ages of 20 and 49 accounted for 56 percent of infections, though they only represent 39 percent of the state population. People under 30 made up 38 percent of cases.
Half of the coronavirus-related deaths were among people over the age of 80, with 74 percent of deaths over the age of 70.
"Schools are not major drivers of COVID-19 spread across Oregon," OHA maintained on Wednesday, just days after officials loosened opening requirements for schools. "Cases are appearing at schools because there is more community spread."
Last week, 13 schools that were providing in-person instruction reported at least one case among students or staff that had been on campus while infectious.
OHA reported 597 new cases on Wednesday, alongside four more fatalities — bringing the state totals to 47,049 cases and 705 deaths.
