By Nicole Montesano • Staff Writer • February 9, 2024 TweetOregon reports 133 COVID deaths in December, JanuaryThere have been more than 2,000 deaths a week from COVID in the United States for the last five weeks running, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meanwhile, Scientific American reported this week that “Worldwide, there were more than 11,000 reported deaths from COVID between mid-December 2023 and mid-January 2024.”The magazine also reported that more than half of those deaths occurred in the U.S. Oregon Health Authority reported 96 “COVID-related” deaths statewide in December and 37 in January. The CDC reported that 30 residents of Yamhill County were hospitalized for COVID the week of Jan. 27, a 57.9% increase over the previous week. But excess mortality— deaths that would not be expected compared to other years — has also risen, suggesting COVID-19 has a role in those deaths, as well.”The study showed that excess deaths coincided with increases in local COVID-19 rates, according to Centers for Disease Control.