The Oregon Health Authority reported 5,143 new known cases of COVID-19 and 39 new deaths Wednesday, as the state continues on a swift path of declining infections.

The seven-day average of cases in Oregon has fallen by about one third since Jan. 23, registering at about 5,500 as of Wednesday, the lowest level in more than three weeks.

Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 decreased slightly to 1,104, although officials still expect the omicron variant could lead to a peak just over 1,200 in coming days. If reached, that would be slightly above the pandemic high of 1,178 on Sept. 1 during the delta wave, although estimates suggest a far higher share of people hospitalized now are for incidental reasons rather than specifically because of COVID-19.

Even if hospitalizations don’t break a record, cases have and the virus is still circulating at high levels – just over 900 new cases per 100,000 residents over the past week. That compares with an average of about 500 per 100,000 during the height of the delta wave.

Health experts expect the number to continue to drop rapidly in the next few weeks.

Where the cases are by county: Baker (30), Benton (197), Clackamas (332), Clatsop (37), Columbia (52), Coos (93), Crook (64), Curry (19), Deschutes (305), Douglas (143), Gilliam (4), Grant (6), Harney (22), Hood River (24), Jackson (389), Jefferson (29), Josephine (125), Klamath (83), Lake (16), Lane (449), Lincoln (98), Linn (289), Malheur (15), Marion (561), Morrow (11), Multnomah (628), Polk (144), Sherman (2), Tillamook (28), Umatilla (114), Union (43), Wallowa (12), Wasco (30), Washington (511) and Yamhill (238).

Deaths: The state hasn’t released details yet about the ages and locations of those who died, or the dates of death.

Hospitalizations: 1,104 people with confirmed cases of COVID-19 are hospitalized, down nine from Tuesday. That includes 193 people in intensive care, up 15 from the previous day.

Since it began: Oregon has reported 643,973 confirmed or presumed infections and 6,163 deaths, among the lowest per capita numbers in the nation. To date, the state has reported 7,213,020 vaccine doses administered, fully vaccinating 2,829,796 people and partially vaccinating 300,511.

— Aimee Green; agreen@oregonian.com; @o_aimee