PORTLAND, Ore. — Cases of COVID-19, a new strain of coronavirus, began popping up in the United States in January. On Feb. 28, the first case in Oregon was announced.
We will post a new blog every day that tracks the daily changes in Oregon and Southwest Washington as we get them. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LATEST UPDATES
As of Thursday evening:
- Oregon: 44 deaths, 1,321 cases, 25,627 tests (24,306 negative) Latest Oregon numbers
- Washington: 446 deaths, 9,608 cases, 88,044 tests (78,436 negative) Latest Washington numbers
- United States: 16,513 deaths, 462,135 cases Latest U.S. numbers
- World: 95,506 deaths, 1,596,496 cases Latest global numbers
11:15 p.m.
- After hours-long waits in long lines, Portland Public Schools won’t distribute computers to students Friday. Learn more
- People will be celebrating Holy Week and Passover online this year as in-person services are banned. "We're all a little broken right now," Rabbi Eve Posen said. "But we're going to make it out okay." Learn more
- Fear of catching and spreading COVID-19 to her husband almost led a Portland woman to leave a busy grocery store empty-handed. Instead, her concerns opened the door to an act of great kindness. Learn more
6:40 p.m.
- A new online tool from the state of Oregon allows you to run through a list of symptoms you might be feeling and see your risk for COVID-19. Learn more
- A Portland landlord has filed a $100,000 lawsuit against a community volunteer over coronavirus worries. The lawsuit claims the woman is putting her 77-year-old landlord's health at risk by going out into the community and volunteering to help neighbors and the homeless. Learn more
- A 78-year-old Oregon novice guitar player wrote a song to thank health care workers. He posted the lyrics and guitar chords to the song, titled “You Are Our Heroes.” You can sing along and post a video to social media using #KGWtogether. Learn more
- Washington reports 25 more deaths and 511 new COVID-19 cases. There is now a total of 9,608 cases, including 446 people who have died. Learn more
- Most construction work has come to a grinding halt in Clark County since Washington Gov. Inslee issued a stay-home order last month. The order did not include most construction, including home building, under the state's essential workers list during the coronavirus pandemic. Learn more
5:30 p.m.
- In April and May, Oregon SNAP benefits will be paying out extra funds to eligible households to help during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more.
4 p.m.
- Clark County and Clackamas County have recently launched initiatives to have volunteers contact seniors who are socially isolated. Learn more.
2:30 p.m.
- North-county beaches in Clatsop County will be closed on the weekend of April 11-12. The closure is to discourage visitors from going to Clatsop County, a normally populated area when the weather is nice. Beaches north of the Necanicum River remain open to walkers. All beach users must observe social-distancing guidelines.
2 p.m.
- Six more people in Oregon have died from COVID-19, raising the death toll to 44, health authorities said. The Oregon Health Authority also reported 83 new cases of the coronavirus, bringing the state's total to 1,321. Learn more
1:30 p.m.
- Oregon has a new tool that can help you determine whether you have COVID-19 through the symptoms you report. Learn more
1:15 p.m.
- The Oregon Clinic has laid off approximately 820 Portland-area workers due to a loss of business during the coronavirus pandemic. The layoffs include nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Learn more
12:15 p.m.
- Morrow County health officials announced two more positive tests, bringing the county's total to five people. Both new cases are recovering at home away from others.
10:40 a.m.
- A record 100,700 Oregonians filed for unemployment insurance last week, according to statistics released Thursday by the Oregon Employment Department. 269,900 Oregonians have filed unemployment claims in the past three weeks. Learn more
7:40 a.m.
- A new round of weekly jobless claims is out, revealing 6.6 million more Americans have filed for unemployment last week. The new numbers mean roughly one in 10 workers have lost their jobs in just the past three weeks. Oregon will report its unemployment claims later today. Learn more
- Gov. Kate Brown announced yesterday that students will not be returning to campuses this school year. "I really wanted the closure of the last day of school and being able to say goodbye to everyone and move forward," West Albany High senior Bailey Filley told KGW. Learn more
- The Oregon Shakespeare Festival announced it has laid off 80% of its staff and delayed its season due to the coronavirus. Learn more