UPDATE (March 21, 1:07 p.m. PT) — As of Saturday afternoon, Oregon has a total of 137 known cases of the novel coronavirus.
Oregon now has four known deaths related to the virus.
Marion County announced its first coronavirus-related death Friday, a 72-year-old woman who had underlying medical conditions, the Oregon Health Authority said.
The novel coronavirus, a relative of other viruses like SARS, was first identified in Wuhan, China, late last year.
Clark County Announces 3 New COVID-19 Cases
Clark County Public Health Saturday announced three new diagnoses of the novel coronavirus. That brings the total number of known cases in the county to nine.
One is a woman in her 80s. She had contact with another confirmed case and was quarantined when she developed symptoms, the agency said. She did not expose others and is currently hospitalized.
The second new diagnosis is of a woman in her 40s. Clark County said she had no known contact with a confirmed case. She is quarantined and recovering at home.
The third new case is a man in his 80s. Clark County Public Health is still investigating whether he had contact with any confirmed case. He is currently hospitalized.
As of Saturday morning the Washington Department of Health has announced 83 COVID-19 related deaths, and 1,524 cases of the virus in the state.
All Washington counties have at least one confirmed diagnosis.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Friday said that a volunteer campground host working at Bay View State Park in Skagit County tested positive for COVID-19.
The campground host has worked at the park since early March.
They quarantined themselves when they began feeling sick March 14, the recreation commission said.
The host is currently isolated in their RV and in the process of leaving the park.
Health officials said they do not believe visitors or campers were exposed to the virus.
The state parks and recreation commission said it is releasing all other campground hosts from their duties across the state next week, though Washington campgrounds will remain open.
‘Stay At Home, Stay Healthy,’ Say Oregon Leaders
The leaders of Oregon, Portland and Multnomah County are encouraging Oregonians to stay home except for essential functions.
At a Friday night press conference, Gov. Kate Brown, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury announced their “stay home, stay healthy” policy.
The plan was introduced partly as a public information campaign, with a possible order to follow.
“This is not a lockdown,” Wheeler said. “This will be a ‘stay at home unless it’s absolutely necessary’ order.”
While Wheeler said he would like to see a statewide push to enforce social distancing measures, Brown said she’s not in support of a statewide version of the “shelter-in-place” policy California adopted.
Twenty-five Portland area mayors called for a statewide stay at home order Saturday.
Evergreen Public Schools Offer Childcare To Some Workers
Evergreen Public Schools announced Saturday the opening of Camp Evergreen, which will provide free childcare to first responders and health care professionals during the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
Camp Evergreen will be located at Crestline Elementary School in Vancouver.
Beginning Tuesday, it will operate weekdays from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and will be available for children 30 months through 12 years old.
Evergreen Public Schools employees will staff the camp.
Registration information is available here.
Vancouver Suspends On-Street Parking Enforcement
Vancouver Friday suspended enforcement of on-street parking regulations, with the exception of Americans with Disabilities Act violations, prohibited parking in construction work areas and public safety violations.
The parking enforcement suspension will last through April 30, the city said.
Payment is now not required at on-street parking meters or pay stations. Enforcement of on-street parking limits in time-restricted and permit-only locations is also suspended.
Enforcement will still be in effect for other areas, including public parking garages and off-street parking lots.
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