August 27, 2020 3:20 a.m.

COVID-19 cases declined last week in Oregon.

A report from the Oregon Health Authority said there was a 13 percent decline in daily cases for the week of August 16th to August 23rd. During that time, OHA recorded 1,704 new cases of COVID-19, down from the previous week’s tally of 1,963.

The report said 24,177 people were tested which is a slight decrease. That total includes testing done at all locations, including commercial non-hospital-based laboratories, along with hospital labs and the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory.

The rate of positive tests also declined last week to 5.1 percent from 5.4 percent.

OHA said the age group most effected by the virus remains 20-29, although the elderly remained the hardest hit age group. COVID-19 hospitalization and death rates increase with age. Almost half of the COVID-19 deaths in Oregon have been among persons age 80 or older. 75 percent of the deaths have been in persons age 70 and older.