UPDATE (12:03 p.m. PT) — The Oregon Health Authority Saturday confirmed 64 new coronavirus cases in the state. The state’s total number of known positive and presumptive cases is 3,612.
Presumptive cases are people who have not tested positive but have COVID-19 symptoms and have had close contact with someone confirmed to be infected with the virus.
Officials reported no new coronavirus-related deaths. In Oregon, 137 people are known to have died from COVID-19.
Clark County tops 400 confirmed cases Friday
In Southwest Washington, Clark County Public Health announced two new confirmed cases of the coronavirus Friday, bringing the county’s total number of known cases to 401.
One additional death was reported Friday. In total, 25 people are known to have died of COVID-19 in Clark County.
According to the most recently available data from the Washington Department of Health, the state of Washington has 17,951 confirmed coronavirus cases and 992 known coronavirus-related deaths.
Oregon Chief Justice expands court activities for reopening counties
Oregon Chief Justice Martha L. Walters issued an order Friday relaxing court restrictions for counties that have begun Phase 1 of Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s reopening plan.
Walters also announced some required furlough days due to the expected loss of state revenue.
Starting June 1 in Phase 1 counties, courts may conduct bench trials — or trials with no jury — and other proceedings, including hearings for civil temporary restraining orders and other family-law and child-welfare hearings, as long as social distancing is in place and if sufficient court staff are available.
After July 1, courts can begin conducting jury trials and can begin conducting trials in landlord-tenant trials, if statewide or local eviction moratoriums are lifted.
“Courts have remained open during this emergency but operating under strict limitations,” Walters said. “Safety remains a paramount concern, but now some courts may be able to hold more hearings by remote means and decide more cases as Oregon begins to reopen.”
Current restrictions stand for counties that have not been approved for the first phase of reopening.
Those courts can continue to conduct proceedings defined as “Category 1 and 2 essential proceedings,” including criminal proceedings when a defendant is in custody and grand jury proceedings. Many of those court activities have been taking place over phone or video conferences.
Due to expected revenue reductions from the pandemic, Walters also ordered that all courts close on three Fridays — May 29, June 26 and July 17. Staff will be unpaid on those days.
New rules for summer camps, masks, bus lines, as Oregon starts to reopen
The Oregon Health Authority issued new guidelines Friday on a range of issues related to Oregon's gradual easing of COVID-19 restrictions. The rules and suggestions touch on when face masks are required, restrictions on buses and light rail and guidelines for children's summer programs — which will be allowed to resume.
On face coverings, OHA said:
Adults and children over the age of 2 are encouraged to wear a mask or face cloth when going into grocery stores or other places that vulnerable populations have to visit — though face coverings are not mandatory.
Businesses must require and provide face coverings to employees. They have the option of requiring masks for customers too, but must post clear signs indicating the requirement. Businesses still have to comply with state and federal laws that may require exemptions from face coverings, such as Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.
Masks will be mandatory for passengers on public transit.
Other rules for public transit:
Bus, train and light-rail lines must allow 3 feet of distance between passengers and 6 feet between passengers and the vehicle operator. Vehicle occupancy limits must be clearly posted.
Transit agencies must provide employees with access to sanitation products and they are urged to do the same for passengers.
Many summer camps have been closing — including programs run by Portland Parks and Recreation. But summer camp and summer school programs that wish to meet in person will be allowed starting in June, if they can limit interaction.
Among the new rules:
Programs must be limited to stable groups of 10 or fewer summer campers or students.
Classrooms need to keep desks at least six feet apart, and camps have to ensure each child has 35 square feet of space indoors, and 75 feet outdoors
Staff must collect information on youth in attendance and the adults dropping them off or picking them up, in case contact tracing becomes necessary.
Overnight summer camps are not allowed.
Washington County releases reopening plan
The Washington County Board of Commissioners Friday approved a plan to move toward reopening. The county aims to begin its first phase of reopening by early- to mid-June.
Washington County has met some of the governor's Phase 1 reopening requirements: the number of new COVID-19 diagnoses is declining, and officials said the county has sufficient personal protective equipment and adequate testing. It is still working to hire more contact tracers.
“Although Washington County is now one important step closer to reopening, we will continue to apply public health expertise and science to guide the next steps in our transition," Board Chair Kathryn Harrington said in a statement.
Multnomah County reports new cases among the unhoused population
Multnomah County reported two additional coronavirus cases among the unhoused population Friday, bringing the total to six people.
County officials wouldn't confirm if the people were living in shelters or outside.
Officials said social distancing measures and contact tracing have helped prevent a widespread outbreak among people experiencing homelessness.
In March, the county opened additional shelters to spread out current residents.
Kim Toevs, Multnomah County director of communicable disease, said it seems like the measures they’ve taken are working, but that could change.
Toevs said the city’s shelters are most vulnerable to residents or employees coming in who don’t yet have symptoms but are infected and contagious.
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