UPDATE (3:15 p.m. PT) — The Oregon Health Authority on Tuesday reported the state's total number of known coronavirus cases at 3,726.
The OHA also totaled the state's coronavirus-related deaths at 140, after listing two new deaths.
Clark County has tallied 25 deaths
The public health agency in Clark County, Washington announced Tuesday that six more residents have tested positive for COVID-19. In total, 412 people have tested positive and 25 people have died.
TriMet to receive nearly $185 million in federal funding
President Trump announced on Twitter Tuesday that more than $184 million in federal funding would go toward Portland’s TriMet transit system. The news follows a string of tweets from the president, highlighting grant funding for city transit systems throughout the country.
“This will keep workers on the job and help the economic recovery by ensuring reliable transportation!” Trump said.
TriMet public information officer Roberta Altstadt said the funding is part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by Congress in March. The federal aid includes some $25 billion for public transportation agencies throughout the country. TriMet learned from the Federal Transit Administration last month that the agency would receive nearly $185 million in grant funding.
“This funding will help TriMet bridge the current funding gap due to losses in fare revenue with ridership down by nearly 70%. It also helps us stave off additional service cuts and potential layoffs, for now,” Altstadt said in a statement.
Altstadt said that with payroll tax revenue expected to be down significantly — which makes up roughly two-thirds of TriMet’s annual revenue — the full economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak on TriMet remains to be seen.
According to U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao, the funds will cover expenses such as driver salaries, administrative leave for employees due to reductions in service, personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies. The FTA has issued a Safety Advisory that calls on transit agencies to implement policies and procedures regarding face coverings, PPE and sanitizing protocols consistent with guidance from health authorities.
CARES Act funding is provided on a reimbursement basis. According to Altstadt, once the grant is processed and reviewed by the FTA, TriMet will be able to draw down the funds for eligible expenses.
Oregon unemployment rate tops 14% amid coronavirus crisis
The Oregon Employment Department announced Tuesday that public health measures initiated in March to combat the spread of coronavirus are having an unprecedented economic impact in Oregon.
An estimated 266,600 jobs were lost in March and April, with the unemployment rate reaching 14.2%.
Oregon’s unemployment rate had been at a near-record low of 3.5% prior to the job losses associated with the pandemic.
In April, one of every eight jobs in Oregon was idled or lost, according to the Oregon Employment Department.
The leisure and hospitality industry saw the most significant downturn, with more than half of its jobs lost in one month.
No sector in Oregon has gained jobs during the pandemic.
Oregon Supreme Court order maintains restrictions
Oregon's restrictions on business activity and social gatherings remain in place after a judge threw them out Monday, and the state Supreme Court later stepped in to keep them in place — for now.
Monday morning, a Baker County judge invalidated more than 20 executive orders Brown has issued since early March. In the evening, the Oregon Supreme Court put the new ruling from Baker County Circuit Court Judge Matt Shirtcliff on hold. The high court appeared to agree with the state's view that abruptly ending the emergency orders could further the pandemic, and should only happen after a more thorough consideration of the law.
Attorneys on both sides have been asked to submit their arguments by Friday.
Rent relief available amid the pandemic
Oregon announced Monday that the state has $8.5 million to distribute to tenants for rent aid during the pandemic.
The funds came to the state through the federal coronavirus relief package and has been divided among 18 local agencies. Each group has the job of distributing the funds to renters. Under the statewide eviction moratorium, they can delay rent but have to pay it back once the moratorium ends.
Anyone who makes up to 50% of the area median income can apply for rent relief. But applicants will be prioritized based on need, according to Kenny LaPoint, public affairs director for Oregon Housing and Community Services. Those who’ve been hit financially by the pandemic will be higher on the list.
Bryan M. Vance
/A TriMet Yellow Line MAX train car is mostly empty as it makes its way through downtown Portland, Ore., on Friday, March 20, 2020. TriMet's ridership numbers have decreased significantly as the region deals with the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
Copyright 2020 Oregon Public Broadcasting
