Oregon’s COVID-19 death toll passes the 900 mark

By David Steves (OPB)
Nov. 29, 2020 9:15 p.m.

Sunday’s nine fatalities reported in Oregon from COVID-19 brings the state’s pandemic death toll to 905, a grim, new milestone amidst a surge of cases.

The Oregon Health Authority’s daily figures include 1,599 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19, setting Oregon on pace to pass the 75,000 mark early this week.

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“As we hit this somber milestone of 900 deaths in Oregon, we want to express our deepest sympathies to all the families that have lost a loved one to this virus,” the OHA said in a statement that accompanied its daily update.

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The agency called on Oregonians to honor the deceased “by redoubling our efforts to protect one another: Wear a mask, limit social gatherings, keep 6 feet between you and other people who don’t live in your home, and wash hands often.”

Oregon’s total number of cases since the pandemic began reached 74,120. At the same time, hospitalizations continued to rise. OHA reported 539 COVID-19 patients, 10 more than Saturday. Hospital intensive care units statewide were tending to 107 patients.

The Oregonians whose COVID-19 deaths were reported Sunday ranged in age from 69 to 88 years old.

Sunday’s case count followed a single-day record of 1,669 cases Saturday — a figure that reflected both the continued surge and a delay in capturing some counties’ figures because of the Thanksgiving holiday.

The pace of new cases does not bode well for those hoping that Oregon would curtail some of its restrictions. The latest limitations imposed by Gov. Kate Brown are set to expire Thursday. However, Brown said on the day before Thanksgiving that limits on the kind of activities associated with the disease’s transmission will continue in most counties. These limits have curtailed indoor dining, private gatherings and capacity at grocery stores and churches and have closed gyms.

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