PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Oregon health officials say they are hopeful that the general population will be eligible for the vaccine in July.
Director Patrick Allen said Oregon is averaging about 15,000 shots per day and that they will move onto Phase 1B sooner than expected. He said that vaccine supply is the issue, not their ability to distribute the shots.
Allen said by early April 75% of everyone eligible – Phase 1A, education and childcare employees, adults in custody and seniors will have gotten their vaccine.
There are new online tools available to help seniors figure out where to get vaccinated, Allen said.
Oregon COVID vaccine info
As of Friday, vaccine information by county will be updated on the state’s website, including specific information about where an older adult can access vaccine in their area. For people who live in the metro area, a chat bot can show you links you to local events.
“We’re now at a point where the number of Oregonians who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 is more than double the number of people who’ve been diagnosed with the virus,” Allen said.
“There will still be hiccups in the process,” Governor Brown said.
Watch the full press conference below
The rate of new daily cases of COVID-19 increased last week, OHA said on Wednesday. Oregon reported a 16% increase during the week of Monday, Jan. 25 through Sunday, Jan. 31 compared to the previous week.
The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 also went up from 229 to 252 for an average of 36 hospitalizations a day. Oregon also saw a slight increase in deaths, from 74 to 76, OHA said. The percentage of positive COVID-19 tests went up to 5.4%.
Oregon teetered on the brink of surpassing 2,000 deaths on Thursday with a death toll of 1,998. On that day, Oregon had administered a total of 486,861 first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccines.
People between 20 and 49 make up 52% of all COVID-19 cases in Oregon. People 70 and older account for 77% of all deaths related to the virus, according to OHA.
