Another Benton County life was lost to the coronavirus in the first week of January. According to the Oregon Health Authority, a 100-year-old woman who tested positive for COVID-19 Dec. 14 died Thursday, Jan. 7, at home. She had underlying medical conditions.
As of Sunday, Jan. 10, there have been 12 Benton County deaths attributed to the coronavirus and nearly 1,600 cases. Oregon’s coronavirus death toll stood at 1,605 Sunday, and more than 400 people are currently hospitalized in the state, 84 of which are in intensive care units.
Coronavirus cases have been trending upwards since the Christmas holiday, including large spikes in Benton County, though state officials have not declared a post-holiday surge yet. Statewide this past two weeks, new daily cases increased 24% and deaths 14%. Nationally, experts say a post-holiday surge boosted new cases by 34% and deaths by 43% over the past two weeks, according to The Oregonian.
Vaccines have begun to roll out in Oregon, with 97,010 first and second doses already administered. 2.2% of Oregonians have been vaccinated to-date. 37% of Oregon’s current allocation of vaccine doses have been used. OHA had hoped to reach 100,000 full vaccinations by Dec. 31.
By Cody Mann
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