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Oregon At More Than 6,500 Known Coronavirus Cases

<p>There is currently no vaccine to prevent contracting COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.</p>

There is currently no vaccine to prevent contracting COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

UPDATE (12:56 p.m. PT) — Oregon health officials reported 206 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 in the state Friday, bringing the total number of known cases to 6,572.

The bulk of the new cases are in Multnomah County, with 49 new known cases. There are also 31 new cases in Lincoln, 24 in Umatilla, 23 in Clackamas and 20 in Marion counties.

Union County health officials reported six new cases, bringing the county’s total number of cases to 253. The bulk of those cases are from an outbreak linked with Lighthouse Pentecostal Church in Island City, just east of La Grande.

The Oregon Health Authority also reported one new death Friday, bringing the state’s total deaths to 188.

As of Friday, 154 people are hospitalized with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the state, including 29 who are on ventilators. Coronavirus has led to the hospitalization of 946 people over the course of the pandemic.

Clark County at more than 680 confirmed cases

Health officials in Clark County announced Friday that 14 more residents have tested positive for COVID-19.

In total, 685 people have tested positive in Clark County, and 28 people have died.

The most recent available data from the Washington Department of Health show 27,192 confirmed coronavirus cases in the state and 1,245 known deaths.

OHA unveils new face mask guidelines

The Oregon Health Authority Friday unveiled its guidance for mandating face coverings in indoor public spaces for Clackamas, Hood River, Lincoln, Marion, Multnomah, Polk and Washington counties. 

The mandate begins Wednesday, June 24. 

The guidance requires businesses including grocery stores, retail stores, gyms and salons to require customers and employees to wear face coverings with some exemptions. 

For example, face coverings are not required in restaurants or other eateries while eating or drinking. They are also not required during “strenuous physical exercise, singing or playing an instrument” if at least six feet of physical distancing can be maintained. 

Masks are also not required for people with medical conditions that make it hard to breathe when wearing a face covering or children under 12 years old. 

OHA said businesses should, though they are not required to, provide free disposable face coverings to customers who may not have one, post signs about face coverings in commonly spoken languages and educate employees on how to safely work and communicate with people who cannot wear masks. 

Beaverton TriMet bus operator tests positive for COVID-19

A TriMet bus operator has tested positive for coronavirus, TriMet confirmed Friday. 

The operator worked out of the agency’s Merlo garage in Beaverton. Their last day at work was Tuesday and they were non-symptomatic at the time, TriMet said general manager Doug Kelsey told employees in an email Thursday night.

“We do wish the operator well and hope they make a full and quick recovery,” TriMet said. 

The agency made face coverings a requirement May 11 for all employees in public areas where physical distancing cannot be maintained. It instituted the same requirement of riders on May 20. 

Pendleton Round-Up canceled

The Pendleton Round-Up, scheduled for September, has been canceled. 

The East Oregonian reports this year marks the first time since World War II that the annual event has been canceled. 

The Round-Up submitted an operational plan to Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s office outlining health and safety precautions, but the event’s board of directors ultimately decided to cancel the event.

The Round-Up is pivoting to create the Let ’er Buck Cares fund. According to the East Oregonian, it’s an initiative through the Oregon Community Foundation that will raise money for organizations in the community that usually benefit from Round-Up week. The Round-Up is offering refunds and ticket rollovers for next year’s event, but said people can also donate their ticket sale to that fund. 

Multnomah County enters Phase 1

Multnomah County can officially begin Phase 1 of Gov. Kate Brown’s reopening plan Friday. The county, the most populous in the state, is the last to do so. 

That means restaurants in Multnomah County can now begin operating dine-in services, with 6-feet of spacing between tables until 10 p.m. Businesses including hair salons and gyms can also now begin operating again with distancing and sanitation guidelines. People in the county can also have gatherings of up to 25 people. 

Also on Friday, Brown has allowed Marion, Polk and Hood River counties to transition to Phase 2, which includes extended restaurant hours and larger gatherings.

Those transitioning counties, as well as Clackamas, Washington and Lincoln counties, will all be required to mandate that their residents wear face coverings while in indoor public spaces starting June 24.

 

 

Copyright 2020 Oregon Public Broadcasting

OPB Staff
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