UPDATE (4:15 p.m. PT) — The Oregon Health Authority Friday reported 344 new confirmed and presumptive coronavirus diagnoses, bringing the state to 9,636 known cases.
The health agency is imploring Oregonians to limit unnecessary travel over the holiday weekend, to stay home and avoid congregating in large groups.
Many of Friday's new cases are in the Portland metro area, with 59 cases in Multnomah County, 46 cases in Washington County and 22 in Clackamas County.
Another large bulk of the cases came from Umatilla County, with 49 cases reported there. Those cases are attributed both to outbreaks and community spread, the Oregon Health Authority said.
The health agency didn't report any new coronavirus-related deaths. So far, 209 people are confirmed to have died from the virus in Oregon.
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown identified eight counties where COVID-19 is spreading the fastest and have the highest rates of "sporadic transmission" that don't have a clear epidemiological link to other outbreaks. Those counties will be placed on a "watch list" and include: Jefferson, Lake, Lincoln, Malheur, Morrow, Umatilla, Union and Wasco counties.
Health officials will closely monitor those counties and prioritize resources to suppress the virus in those hotspot communities.
As of Thursday, 173 people are hospitalized with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the state, including 25 who are on ventilators. The coronavirus has led to the hospitalization of 1,069 people statewide over the course of the pandemic.
OSHA and OLCC ramping up enforcement this weekend
Brown also announced that the Oregon Occupational Health and Safety Administration and the Oregon Liquor Control Commission staff will be increasing enforcement of pandemic-related safety measures this weekend.
Staff will be inspecting restaurants, bars and other businesses statewide this weekend to ensure they are complying with mask rules, social distancing requirements, alcohol laws and OLCC rules.
The OLCC has relaxed some regulations to allow alcohol licensees to reconfigure their spaces to reopen and comply with social distancing requirements.
OLCC inspectors will be checking to make sure bars and restaurants are not overcrowded, that customers are not overconsuming and that businesses are closing at the required time.
If businesses refuse to comply, OSHA and OLCC staff can issue citations, fines, and red warning notices.
Those notices apply to businesses that appear to be in willful violation of the Governor’s executive orders or who refuse to take corrective measures. Those businesses will be closed until the hazardous condition is remedied, and the governor's office warns that violating a red warning notice will result in severe penalties.
Oregon COVID-19 Map
Jacob Fenton, The Accountability Project at the Investigative Reporting Workshop
Clark County public health warning of potential COVID-19 exposure
Clark County Public Health is investigating a COVID-19 outbreak at a Vancouver food establishment.
Health officials warn that people who visited Orchards Tap Bar and Grill between June 19-25 may be at risk of getting sick.
Public health has linked 18 cases so far, which includes four employees and 14 customers to the restaurant.
People who visited the restaurant and bar between June 19-25 should contact their health care provider and request testing for COVID 19, public health officials warn. Those individuals should also quarantine at home for 14 days from their last date of exposure at the facility.
Health officials in Clark County, Washington, reported 18 new coronavirus cases Thursday, bringing the county’s total to 901.
Public health officials did not report any additional deaths, with the county's total holding at 29.
Clark County's application to move into Phase 3 of Washington's reopening process is on pause. Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday that there would be a two week pause in response to an increase in cases. The county will remain in Phase 2.
The Washington Department of Health reported 34,151 confirmed coronavirus cases in the state and 1,342 known deaths. As of Thursday the coronavirus has led to the hospitalization of 4,442 people in Washington.
