Two more Oregonians die of COVID-19, bring total to 3
State officials say number of positive cases has risen to 75
(Update: Adding county, age range breakdowns)
PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — COVID-19 has claimed two more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll from the novel coronavirus to three, the Oregon Health Authority reported Wednesday morning.
The two cases are a 60-year-old woman in Lane County, who died at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend on Saturday, March 14, and a 71-year-old man in Washington County who died on Tuesday, March 17 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center.
The Lane County resident tested positive for the virus Tuesday, while the Washington County resident received a positive result on Monday. Both had underlying medical conditions.
They are among a total of 75 people in Oregon who have now been confirmed to have COVID-19, the novel coronavirus. That includes 10 new cases that were confirmed statewide Wednesday in these counties: Benton (1), Lane (2), Marion (4), Washington, (2) and Yamhill (1).
According to the latest OHA data, another 1,118 tests have come back negative and 361 are pending.
Of the 14 counties with positive COVID-19 cases, Washington has had the most, at 23, followed by Linn with 15, Marion with eight and Clackamas and Deschutes with six each.
As for age range, 47 of those testing positive are 55 and older, 19 in the 35-to-54 age range, one in the 25-to-34 age range, four in the 18-to-24 age range and four who are 17 or younger.
“We are saddened at the news of these additional lives lost in Oregon due to COVID-19,” said Patrick Allen, OHA director. “These deaths only strengthen our resolve to slow the spread of this disease in our communities. We are in this together.”
Washington County Health Officer Christina Baumann, M.D., M.P.H., said, “We are sad to learn of the first death in our county due to COVID-19. Our hearts go out to his family during this time. We are committed to slowing down the spread of this disease and to protecting those most vulnerable among us.”
Patrick Luedtke, M.D., M.P.H., Lane County senior public health officer, said, “First and foremost, we are deeply saddened by the loss of our community member. We ask that our community members, and the greater Oregon community, show kindness and compassion for the family of the deceased at this time. We are absolutely committed to preventing future death through slowing the spread of COVID-19.”
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