UPDATE (7:08 p.m. PT) — The Oregon Health Authority reported 68 new coronavirus diagnoses in Oregon Thursday. That brings Oregon’s confirmed case total to 2,127.
OHA Thursday also reported five new coronavirus-related deaths bringing the state’s total known deaths to 83.
OHA details the new deaths as:
A 94-year-old woman in Multnomah County who tested positive on April 3 and died on April 22 at her home. She had underlying medical conditions.
A 78-year-old man in Multnomah County who tested positive on March 30 and died on April 19 at his home. He had underlying medical conditions.
An 87-year-old man in Multnomah County who tested positive on April 20 and died on April 22 at Providence Portland Medical Center. He had underlying medical conditions.
A 74-year-old man in Multnomah County who tested positive on April 9 and died on April 21 at Adventist Medical Center. He had underlying medical conditions.
A 70-year-old man in Clackamas County who tested positive on April 1 and died on April 21 at Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center. He had underlying medical conditions.
Washington state cases continue to climb
Clark County Public Health said Thursday that there were eight new confirmed cases of coronavirus in Southwest Washington. There are now 321 confirmed cases there.
The agency also announced one new coronavirus-related death Thursday — a man in his 80s.
To date, 17 people in Clark County are known to have died of COVID-19.
The latest available data from the Washington Department of Health indicated the state had reported 12,753 diagnosed cases of the coronavirus and 711 related deaths.
Oregon initial unemployment claims continue to grow
The Oregon Employment Department reported Thursday that during the week of April 12 to April 18 it received 36,700 initial claims for unemployment benefits.
Since coronavirus-related public health measures began the week of March 15, the department said it has received about 333,700 initial unemployment claims.
The greatest number of initial claims last week continued to come from the leisure and hospitality sector, which includes hotels and restaurants, the department said.
The department said it has detailed information for 31,700 of the claims filed last week and 8,000 came from that sector.
Oregon Employment Department announces new claims center for gig workers
The Oregon Employment Department Wednesday announced it is working to streamline unemployment claims for gig workers and small business owners through a new processing claims center.
Workforce and labor policy adviser Christian Gaston said Wednesday that the system will be in place within the next two weeks.
Gaston said that the employment department is “basically up to date” with “simple” claims, but “complex” claims continue to bog down the system.
Claims for gig workers and small business owners will start going through the new system in about a week and a half, he said.
Scenic highway barricades keep Gorge closed
The Columbia River Scenic Highway had remained open even after parks along the route were closed. But a handful of people violated the park bans, forcing the Oregon State Parks to close the highway to any traffic whatsoever. Now, park employees at barricades are keeping drivers, cyclists and hikers away.
Copyright 2020 Oregon Public Broadcasting
