Thread by @OHAOregon

OHA Director Patrick Allen speaking during today’s media availability: "As I speak to you today, we are at a dire point in the pandemic in Oregon. #COVID19 is spreading dangerously fast. Over the past week we have established new daily records for daily cases and deaths."

"But I want to underscore one vital point. The virus doesn’t set the timeline for anything: we do. You have the power to end this nightmare: wear a mask, keep your get-togethers small and limit your social interactions to one other household at a time."

"Let me give you an overview on where things stand in Oregon: In total, Oregon has recorded 62,175 cases, including 1,306 today, and now, 812 tragic and preventable deaths, including 4 today."

"The virus is spreading faster: Three weeks ago, we recorded 3,500 weekly cases for the first time. The following week we exceeded 5,000 and this past week we eclipsed 6,000 cases."

"People are dying at a faster rate: This week we surpassed another sad milestone in the pandemic – our 800th death only 16 days after we crossed the threshold of 700 deaths."

"Weekly hospitalizations also hit a record high at 212. Our hospital numbers should be sounding alarms for all of us. We’ve experienced a 142% increase in hospitalizations since Nov. 1, in patients who have tested positive for #COVID19, and a 234% increase over the past month."

"Our level of test positivity remains stubbornly high, even as more Oregonians are being tested. There’s been a lot of discussion about COVID-19 testing in Oregon this week. Let me preview a few of the points Dr. Sutton will cover."

"Oregon tests for COVID-19 at a rate that’s comparable to most other states in the US. When the pandemic started, we measured the number of new people tested, so we could be as transparent as possible."

"Now, there are a lot more ways for people to get tested, so we’re moving to a test-based reporting system. When we look at the total number of tests performed in Oregon each week, we’re right in line with other states on a per capita basis."

"Oregon’s test positivity rate is too high right now and tells us COVID-19 is spreading too fast, even when we shift from a person-based testing calculation to a total test-based calculation."

"When we recalculate our historic positivity rates using the new method, Oregon’s test positivity rate drops significantly. It goes from a shockingly high rate of almost 13% to an alarmingly high rate of nearly 7%. But still above the level that would indicate declining spread."

"Testing is a vital part of Oregon’s strategy to suppress COVID-19. Oregon has increased testing by 60% since the beginning of October. We’re sending tens of thousands of BinaxNOW tests per week to hard-hit local providers and organizing mass testing events across Oregon."

"But testing isn’t enough. The most effective strategies to save lives are: Wear a mask, limit your get-togethers to one other household and keep your gatherings small (ideally 6 people of fewer)."