Thread by @OHAOregon

OHA State Health Officer Dean Sidelinger at today's press conference: "Daily cases, COVID-19 related hospitalizations & the % of people testing positive continue to decline. Over the past week, we reported 1,725 new cases, a 26% drop. That’s the lowest weekly total since Sept."

"Thankfully we are also seeing a steady downturn in #COVID19 related hospitalizations, which has greatly lessened the pressure on our emergency rooms and local hospitals. In the past week, new COVID-19 related hospitalizations dropped 24% over the previous week."

"And in yet another encouraging trend: #COVID19 deaths – always a lagging indicator – are also declining. OHA reported 20 deaths in our most recent COVID-19 Weekly Report, a 60% drop from the previous week."

"In summary, the landscape of the virus has shifted dramatically, creating what we described last week as two pandemics. As our breakthrough data shows – the virus is overwhelmingly impacting those who are not fully vaccinated – while those vaccinated are safe from the virus."

"The data, as well as our new modeling, clearly shows that the surging virus has more than met its match in the rising tide of Oregonians who are getting vaccinated every day."

"Getting vaccinated is the best protection against contracting the virus, or from passing it along to someone else who may wind up in the hospital or die. More than 2.3M Oregonians have received at least one dose and nearly 2M have completed a vaccine series."

"Thank you for taking that critically important step to protect your families, your loved ones and your communities. But, in order to decisively defeat the virus and prevent future outbreaks, more people must take that important step."

"Let me speak to the issue of vaccine-induced immunity versus natural immunity. If you had #COVID19 and recovered, you may not have the same level of immunity as someone who has not been infected and has been fully vaccinated. It is unknown how long protection will last."

"Individuals who have recovered from the disease have a robust response to the vaccine. It is recommended that they get the vaccine to increase their protection. In all cases, it is better to have immunity from COVID-19 without being sickened by it."

"Finally, let me turn to the latest modeling. The modeling shows that estimated immunity from vaccination is present in 4x more people than those who have naturally acquired immunity."

"The model shows that transmission of the virus has slowed considerably. The statewide reproductive rate was estimated at .66 as of 5/26. At that rate, we would see a significant decline in daily cases to ~100 and 5 daily hospitalizations for the rest of the month."

"If, we were to realize the more pessimistic scenario, with transmission rising by 20% we would still see a decline in daily cases – albeit a more gradual one – to 135 with 7 hospitalizations."

"We can protect ourselves, our families and our communities and return to normalcy more quickly by getting vaccinated. Thank you to everyone who has stepped up to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and if you haven't, please make a plan - and get vaccinated."