The number of new daily coronavirus cases rocketed to record heights for the second consecutive day on Thursday with 375 cases, surpassing 281 on Wednesday.
Disclosure of cases occurs as outbreaks continue throughout central and eastern Oregon. Umatilla County, with a population of just under 78,000 residents, had the highest case count on Thursday at 88. The county in eastern Oregon averaged 40 cases per day in the past week for the second-highest count in the state behind Multnomah County and just ahead of Washington County, which has 500,000 more residents.
The record case count underscores the need for Oregon residents to continue to practice physical distancing and wear masks as infections spread in both rural and urban areas, the Oregon Health Authority said on Twitter. The increase becomes even more problematic before the July 4 weekend, when social gatherings and travel could increase the spread of the infection.
When asked at a press conference Thursday whether people should cancel their holiday weekend plans, Dr. Paul Cieslak, the state’s medical director for communicable diseases, replied, “Absolutely.”
Where cases are by county: Clackamas (22), Columbia (1), Crook (1), Deschutes (9), Douglas (2), Jackson (15), Jefferson (8), Josephine (8), Lane (15), Lincoln (3) , Linn (3), Malheur (16), Marion (32), Morrow (8), Multnomah (64), Tillamook (1), Umatilla (88), Union (5), Wasco (2), Washington (67) and Yamhill (5).
New fatalities: A 73-year-old woman in Klamath County was Oregon’s 209th victim of COVID-19, state officials reported. She had underlying health conditions. The location of her death is still being confirmed.
Infection prevalence.: State officials reported 7,683 people had been tested since Wednesday, with 352 testing positive. That is a positivity rate of 4.6%.
Who got infected: State officials reported 361 new cases since yesterday between the following ages: 0-9 (13); 10-19 (37); 20-29 (93); 30-39 (74); 40-49 (55); 50-59 (47); 60-69 (17); 70-79 (15); 80 and older (8); unknown (2).
Who’s in the hospital: The state reported Thursday that 116 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in Oregon, two fewer than on Wednesday. However, hospitalizations continue to increase on average across the state. Hundreds of ICU beds and fans are still available.
Since she began: Oregon has now reported 9,264 confirmed or suspected coronavirus cases and 209 deaths since the pandemic began. In total, 250,657 people have been evaluated in the state.
