Oregon reports 2 new COVID-19 deaths, 238 new cases in past 3 days

(OHA on recent rise in cases; 238 in past 3 days; Jefferson County comment)

Deschutes County has one new case, Jefferson County/Warm Springs nine

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- COVID-19 has claimed two more lives in Oregon, raising the death toll to 161, the Oregon Health Authority reported Friday. It said a surge of nearly 240 new cases counted in the past three days shows more extensive testing and contact tracing.

There were 97 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. Friday, bring the state total to 4,570, along with 138,676 negative test results, OHA said.

Oregon Health Authority reported 97 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 4,570.

The new cases reported today are in the following counties: Benton (5), Clackamas (6), Deschutes (1), Douglas (1), Hood River (9), Jefferson (9), Klamath (1), Lincoln (4), Linn (3), Malheur (1), Marion (17), Multnomah (12), Umatilla (1), Wasco (3), Washington (20), Yamhill (4).

Deschutes County had one new COVID-19 case, for a total of 134, along with 6,222 negative test results.

Jefferson County, whose count includes the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, had nine new cases, for a total of 55. Late Thursday, the Warm Springs tribes reported a total of 46 positive cases, also up nine cases from the previous day, with two hospitalized.

Tami Kepa'a, Jefferson County's public information officer, said, "We truly are in this together with Warm Springs."

In fact, she said, "Warm Springs is testing like we'd like to see all of Jefferson County testing. We're actively working to provide more community event testing, with all providers."

Kepa'a noted that 25 of the total 55 cases in the county and on the reservation have since recovered.

Crook County had no new cases Friday and a total of six -- one fewer than in Thursday's state tally. OHA said they reduced the total by one each for Deschutes and Crook counties after a reported case turned out not to be one.

Oregon’s 160th COVID-19 death is a 63-year-old man in Multnomah County, who tested positive on April 29 and died June 3, at the Portland VA Medical Center. He had underlying medical conditions.

Oregon’s 161st COVID-19 death is a 96-year-old woman in Marion County, who tested positive on May 31 and died June 3, at Salem Hospital. She had underlying medical conditions.

Notes:

• One case previously reported in Crook County was determined not to be a case. The county case count has been appropriately adjusted.
• One case previously reported in Deschutes County was determined not to be a case. The county case count has been appropriately adjusted.

Daily case count is higher

Friday’s COVID-19 case count marked the third-highest daily count since the onset of the pandemic in Oregon, with 97 presumptive and confirmed cases reported to OHA. That brings the total for the past three days to 238 reported cases.

The higher numbers are tied to several factors, including the availability of more widespread testing, increased contact tracing, and active monitoring of close contacts of cases. There has been an increase in the number of household cases associated with a confirmed case.

Workplace outbreaks are another source of the higher numbers. Many of these are seasonal facilities, and many are following public health recommendations by offering testing to their employees.

Although the case numbers are higher, the overall rate of infection remains among the lowest in the U.S., OHA reported.

"But higher case counts serve as a reminder that Oregonians need to continue to maintain physical distancing, wear face coverings where physical distancing cannot be maintained, avoid large gatherings, and follow good hand hygiene," the agency said

OHA to institute weekend reporting changes to COVID-19 daily update

Beginning this weekend, Saturday, June 6, OHA will no longer include a link to the Oregon COVID-19 Daily Update in the daily news release. The updates will be published Mondays through Fridays.

Relevant data collected during the weekends will be included in each Monday’s update. The daily news release for weekend days also will no longer include the county case count of new confirmed or presumed COVID-19 cases.

To see more case and county level data, please visit the Oregon Health Authority website, which OHA updates once a day: www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus.

Stay informed about COVID-19:

Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Office of Emergency Management lead the state response.

United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.

Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.