UPDATED (March 29, 3:22 p.m. PT) — Oregon state and local health officials reported 73 new cases of COVID-19 Sunday, bringing the state total to 552. No new deaths were reported, leaving the state's total confirmed deaths at 13. The actual number of cases is believed to be higher given the limited number of tests available.
The Oregon Health Authority announced 69 of the new diagnosed cases across 14 counties. Following the release of OHA's daily report, Malheur County identified its first case Sunday afternoon in a man in his 20s. The Malheur Enterprise reports he is quarantined and recovering at home. Douglas and Josephine counties also announced new cases Sunday afternoon, after the OHA numbers were released.
Oregon’s 13th confirmed coronavirus-related death was a 93-year-old man in Yamhill County. On Sunday, OHA corrected a previous report, to say that the man had an underlying health condition. All coronavirus-related fatalities in Oregon so far involve people with underlying medical issues.
Oregon State University student tests positive
In an alert email to students and faculty on Saturday, OSU Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Coronavirus Coordinator Dan Larson announced that a student had tested positive for COVID-19.
According to the message, the student self-isolated following the week of March 16, does not presently live in Corvallis and does not present symptoms as of Saturday afternoon.
The Daily Barometer reports the university is working with the Benton County Health Department's communicable disease team to assist the county in its investigation for possible community spread at the university and in Corvallis.
Columbia Sportswear CEO cuts own salary, preserves employee pay
Columbia Sportswear announced in a statement Saturday that its retail employees will continue to be paid while stores are closed amid the spread of COVID-19.
The Oregonian reports Columbia Sportswear CEO Tim Boyle cut his own pay to $10,000 a year, and at least 10 top executives are taking a voluntary 15% pay reduction so the company can meet payroll for its employees. Roughly 3,500 retail employees will receive regular paychecks under a "catastrophic pay" program.
“Columbia has been in business since 1938 and has weathered many storms by keeping our focus on the well-being of consumers, employees and the larger community,” a statement on the company’s website reads.
As of Saturday, Columbia has extended closures for all North American storefronts until April 10.
Washington passes 4,000 known cases
Clark County Public Health announced Saturday that six more people tested positive for the coronavirus there.
There are now 82 confirmed cases in the county, and six people there are known to have died with COVID-19.
Washington had 4,310 diagnosed cases of the coronavirus and 189 related deaths as of Saturday night, according to the Washington Department of Health.
