COVID-19 cases are going up again in Oregon, as the number of people getting vaccinated in the state continues to drop.
Since last Friday, the Oregon Health Authority has reported 15 new deaths in the state and 1,372 new cases.
Of those new cases, 595 were reported on Tuesday alone. It was the highest daily case count reported since May 11.
Positivity rates continue going up in rural Oregon counties. In Wallowa, Sherman and Morrow counties, at least 1 in 5 people tested early this week tested positive for the coronavirus.
Meanwhile, the 7-day average for new COVID cases in Oregon is up by about 27 percent this week compared to a month ago, from 237 cases to 326. And the running average for new vaccine doses is down by about 75 percent from a month ago, from nearly 11,000 to about 2,500.
Health officials put out a statement Tuesday reminding Oregonians that vaccination remains the safest and most effective way to prevent serious illness from COVID-19. That includes protection from the widespread delta variant.