Oregon coronavirus updates, March 11: Indoor mask mandate ends Saturday

Masks will no longer be required in indoor public spaces in Oregon starting Saturday, a step that marks an end to the state's emergency response to COVID-19, state health officials said.

The statewide mask requirement in schools also ends Saturday, though some districts have elected to continue local mask requirements for longer.

New cases and hospitalizations have fallen dramatically since the omicron variant peak in mid-January and officials believe there is low enough risk of significant spread to pull back on these mandates.

"With omicron waning and so few Oregonians susceptible to new infections, we can close the emergency phase of Oregon's COVID-19 response and open a new one," Oregon Health Authority Director Pat Allen said.

This new phase will include the RISE initiative, within which the health authority will focus on monitoring COVID-19, shielding people at highest risk, restoring communities and "repairing the state’s social fabric."

Based on average death rates nationwide, health officials estimate Oregonians saved upward of 5,700 lives by adhering to mask-wearing and physical distancing and by getting vaccinated at greater rates than other states.

Oregon has the third-lowest per capita case rate, seventh-lowest death rate and ranks 12th in percentage of population vaccinated.

“We believe the firewall of immunity we currently have will keep the virus at bay,” Dr. Dean Sidelinger, state health officer and epidemiologist, said.

Taking these steps particularly helped blunt the omicron surge, Sidelinger said, which was initially predicted to overwhelm hospitals.

The Oregon Health Authority still recommends mask-wearing for certain individuals, including those who are: unvaccinated, immunocompromised, at higher risk of severe illness, 65 or older and anyone who lives with a person in these categories.

Sidelinger added that many in the state may choose to continue wearing masks at certain times and Oregonians should respect their decision.

“Mask-wearing was common in many countries before the pandemic," he said. "My hope is that it becomes an unremarkable occurrence here in Oregon. As someone who chooses to wear a jacket or carry an umbrella on a rainy day, they may choose to wear a mask during flu season.”

Health officials also warned the pandemic is not over — cases will continue to develop and new variants are expected to emerge. Oregon could revert to statewide mandates and away from local health authority control if risk of widespread impacts to the state's health infrastructure reappears.

411 new cases, 15 deaths

The Oregon Health Authority reported 411 new cases of COVID-19 Friday along with 15 additional deaths.

Of those who died, three were from Marion County:

• An 80-year-old man who died Jan. 30 at his residence.
• A 69-year-old woman who died Feb. 14 at Salem Hospital.
• A 73-year-old man who died March 7 at Salem Hospital.

Marion County reported 27 new cases, while Polk County had eight.

Hospitals statewide are treating 261 patients with COVID-19, including 40 in intensive care unit beds.

The state's adult ICU bed capacity is 86% and non-ICU bed capacity is 92%.

COVID-19 by the numbers statewide

Here's the most recent data from the Oregon Health Authority, as of Friday, March 11:

• 6,869: People who have died from COVID-19.
• 699,362: Total cases of COVID-19.
• 261: COVID-19 patients in hospitals.

Oregon COVID-19 cases by county

Here are the number of cases, both tested positive and presumptive, and deaths as of Friday, March 11:

• Baker : 3,200 cases, 46 deaths.
• Benton : 14,946 cases, 64 deaths.
• Clackamas : 59,482 cases, 549 deaths.
• Clatsop : 4,545 cases, 38 deaths.
• Columbia : 7,499 cases, 76 deaths.
• Coos : 10,557 cases, 145 deaths.
• Crook : 6,019 cases, 77 deaths.
• Curry : 3,311 cases, 45 deaths.
• Deschutes : 45,531 cases, 254 deaths.
• Douglas : 19,599 cases, 373 deaths.
• Gilliam : 283 cases, 5 deaths.
• Grant : 1,609 cases, 18 deaths.
• Harney : 1,594 cases, 37 deaths.
• Hood River : 3,506 cases, 42 deaths.
• Jackson : 42,356 cases, 500 deaths.
• Jefferson : 7,178 cases, 85 deaths.
• Josephine : 16,178 cases, 315 deaths.
• Klamath : 14,012 cases, 200 deaths.
• Lake : 1,388 cases, 25 deaths.
• Lane : 56,677 cases, 480 deaths.
• Lincoln : 6,969 cases, 78 deaths.
• Linn : 26,253 cases, 239 deaths.
• Malheur : 8,190 cases, 101 deaths.
• Marion : 68,578 cases, 673 deaths.
• Morrow : 2,946 cases, 32 deaths.
• Multnomah : 111,747 cases, 1098 deaths.
• Polk : 15,164 cases, 127 deaths.
• Sherman : 316 cases, 4 deaths.
• Tillamook : 3,606 cases, 58 deaths.
• Umatilla : 22,270 cases, 205 deaths.
• Union : 5,007 cases, 74 deaths.
• Wallowa : 1,241 cases, 15 deaths.
• Wasco : 5,086 cases, 57 deaths.
• Washington : 84,650 cases, 531 deaths.
• Wheeler : 243 cases, 3 death.
• Yamhill : 17,626 cases, 200 deaths.

Source: Oregon Health Authority