Document text
COVID-19 peaks statewide, local risk level dips By Kevin Opsahl Updated: Jun 17, 2022 05:08 PM A A The number of coronavirus patients reached the state’s projected peak this week, while health officials downgraded risk levels locally. The Oregon Health Authority reported 1,596 cases and six deaths statewide Friday. Jackson County’s COVID-19 numbers fluctuated each day of the week, moving between 100 and 110 Monday and Wednesday, but fell Tuesday and Thursday to below 80. In Josephine County, cases throughout the week saw a downward trend, with one large spike, from 26 cases Monday to 42 Tuesday. Josephine County hasn’t seen any COVID-19 deaths since June 8, and Jackson County since June 6 has recorded only one death. There were 309 people with COVID-19 in Oregon hospitals Friday, including 43 in intensive care. In Jackson and Josephine counties, 53 ICU beds were occupied, leaving five vacant. In a Friday news conference, state Epidemiologist Dean Sidelinger showed data pointing to hospitalizations for COVID-19-positive patients hitting the peak projected by current modeling, adding that the state still continues to have a high level of community spread. Despite that, Jackson County moved Thursday down to the “medium” risk category as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Josephine County fell even farther, to the “low” risk category. Both places had been in the CDC’s “high” risk category just days earlier. Some local entities continue to take precautions. In Ashland, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival started requiring patrons and staff to wear masks again. The festival said it would make an announcement when masks are no longer required. Reach reporter Kevin Opsahl at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @KevJourno.