UPDATE (2:15 p.m.) – Coronavirus diagnoses continue to climb in Oregon, with health officials reporting 170 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday. That brings the state to 7,444 known cases.
The Oregon Health Authority reported three new deaths Wednesday, bringing the state’s total to 195 deaths.
As of Wednesday, 185 people are hospitalized with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the state, including 29 who are on ventilators. The coronavirus has led to the hospitalization of 1,006 people in Oregon over the course of the pandemic.
Oregon COVID-19 Map
Jacob Fenton, The Accountability Project at the Investigative Reporting Workshop
Clark County deaths reach 29
Health officials in Clark County, Washington, reported 13 new confirmed and presumptive coronavirus cases Wednesday. That brings the county’s total cases to 732. Public health officials did not report any additional deaths, with the total holding at 29.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced a mandatory mask order Tuesday in response to increasing case counts and the potential to overwhelm the state's health care system. Beginning Friday, June 26, all Washingtonians are required to wear face masks in public spaces.
The Washington Department of Health reported 29,386 confirmed coronavirus cases in the state and 1,284 known deaths. As of Monday, coronavirus has led to the hospitalization of 4,067 people in Washington.
Mask rule takes effect today
A rule about wearing masks in public indoor spaces takes effect Wednesday in seven Oregon counties: Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Hood River, Lincoln, Marion and Polk. It applies to stores, public transportation and gyms, among other sites.