(Update: More details on Deschutes County health services)
PORTLAND, Oregon (KTVZ) – COVID-19 has claimed two more lives in Oregon, bringing the state’s death toll to 249, along with a record 437 new cases, including 34 in central Oregon, the Thursday reported. Oregon Health Authority.
The OHA reported 437 new confirmed and suspected cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 am Thursday, bringing the state total to 13,509 cases and 305,437 negative test results.
New cases reported Thursday are in the following counties: Benton (4), Clackamas (28), Clatsop (2), Coos (2), Deschutes (28), Douglas (4), Hood River (5), Jackson ( 8)), Jefferson (6), Josephine (1), Klamath (3), Lane (12), Lincoln (3), Linn (4), Malheur (17), Marion (53), Morrow (8), Multnomah (108), Polk (7), Tillamook (2), Umatilla (50), Union (1), Wasco (2), Washington (76), and Yamhill (3).
Deschutes County has had 316 cases, one death and 13,267 negative results. Crook County has had 20 cases, one death and 1,257 negative results. Jefferson County has had 177 cases, no deaths, and 2,443 negative results.
Morgan Emerson of Deschutes County Health Services said 21 of the 28 county record cases in the OHA report Thursday were associated with the outbreak announced Wednesday at Mt. Bachelor of Memory Care in Bend.
Emerson noted that 106 of the county’s 316 cases are currently active.
Deschutes County reports that 203 of its cases have been recovered and that nearly 200 had no history of recent travel. Only 34 have been hospitalized.
St. Charles Bend reported eight patients with COVID-19 as of Thursday morning, with three in the intensive care unit, two of whom are on a ventilator.
Thursday’s case count is the highest since the start of the pandemic. OHA said the increase in cases is attributed to the spread of COVID-19 from social gatherings and sporadic spread. Outbreaks in the workplace and in long-term care facilities are also contributing to the daily count cases, OHA said.
Since Oregon began reopening, we have seen outbreaks when people gather to celebrate with family and friends. Some examples include:
- Graduations
- birthday
- Wedding
- Holidays
COVID-19 is spreading more among social activities involving groups of younger people. OHA has recorded outbreaks related to:
- An exercise class
- A fraternity party
- A bachelor party
While it is difficult not to celebrate these events as we have in the past, COVID-19 is spreading in our communities and people must give a lot of thought to altering daily routines that can put people at risk.
OHA recommends that everyone:
- Limit the size of our meetings.
- Keep our distance
- Cover our faces
- Find alternative ways for those who are vulnerable to participate.
The 248th death of Oregon COVID-19 is a 97-year-old man in Malheur County who tested positive on June 29 and died on July 15 at his residence. It had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s COVID-19 death 249 is a 58-year-old woman in Malheur County who tested positive on July 6 and died on July 13. The place of death and the presence of underlying conditions are being confirmed.
Note: Oregon’s 244 death date was inaccurately reported yesterday. Oregon’s COVID-19 death number 244 is a 63-year-old man in Deschutes County who tested positive on July 13 and died July 14 at St. Charles Medical Center. It had underlying conditions.
Stay informed about COVID-19:
Oregon Response: The Oregon Health Authority leads the state response.
United States Response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the United States’ response.
Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.
