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 reported.
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 Wednesday evening:
- Oregon: 58 deaths, 1,663 cases, 33,351 tests (31,688 negative) Latest Oregon numbers
- Washington: 567 deaths, 10,783 cases, 124,283 tests (113,500 negative) Latest Washington numbers
- United States: 30,925 deaths, 638,111 cases Latest U.S. numbers
- World: 137,020 deaths, 2,064,115 cases Latest global numbers
11:00 p.m.
- COVID-19 patient credits recovery to drug developed by Vancouver biotech company. Learn more
- U.S. students including those in Oregon will pay a staggering academic toll from the prolonged coronavirus-induced school shutdown, new research conducted in Portland based on 5 million test scores indicates. Learn more
- Portland Parks & Recreation announced it will cancel its 2020 season of free movies and concerts in Portland parks including Washington Park Summer Festival. Learn more
9:25 p.m.
- A woman who had a weeks-long battle with COVID-19 credits a drug developed by a Vancouver biotech company for her recovery. Learn more
- Amid an economy-halting pandemic, with unemployment numbers skyrocketing at historic rates, a new poll suggests Portland metro area residents would welcome a new tax aimed at helping the region's homeless. Learn more
- Portland is well-known for its beer. But now a lot of it is heading to wastewater treatment facilities due to the closure of restaurants and bars amid the coronavirus pandemic. Learn more
6:50 p.m.
- Amid the coronavirus pandemic, President Trump has pushed back on mail-in voting. Bev Clarno, Oregon's Republican Secretary of State, says Oregon has been an example that mail-in voting is secure and more accessible to voters. Learn more
- School districts across Oregon have been told to have a plan already up and running by now when it comes to distance learning. We checked in with two of the largest districts in the area to see how things are going. Learn more
- An Oregon woman flew to California to donate a kidney to her cousin amid the coronavirus pandemic. She said it was one of the easiest and best decisions of her life. Learn more
- Mountain View High School choir teacher Jenny Bell wanted to hear her students sing once more. It's not a graded assignment, but a way to bring everyone together through music. Every day at 5 p.m. the district uploads a video of a song performed. They'll continue to do this until the end of the year. Learn more
4:55 p.m.
- If you haven't received your payment from the $2.2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package, the IRS has launched a new tool on its website where you can track your payment. Learn more
- Washington Gov. Jay Inslee affirmed the current stay-at-home order will remain in place through May 4, and raised the possibility it could be extended. Learn more
- Washington reports 26 more deaths and 89 new coronavirus cases. There has been a total of 10,783 cases, including 567 people who have died. Learn more
- President Trump said the United States "has passed the peak" on new cases. He said he will have a discussion Thursday with governors and announce new guidelines for various states to open sooner than the May 1 deadline. Learn more
3:40 p.m.
- Have you checked the status of your stimulus payment and received a "payment status not available" message? You're not alone. A Treasury spokeswoman said there shouldn't be any errors with people receiving that message. If the IRS is telling you it can't determine your eligibility, a couple things could be happening. Learn more
- The Oregon Liquor Control Commission has suspended the license of a Southern Oregon bar that officials say violated restrictions put in place to slow the spread of coronavirus. Learn more
1:15 p.m.
- Three more Oregonians have died from COVID-19, bringing the state’s death toll to 58 people, state health officials said. Health officials also reported 33 new cases of coronavirus. Oregon’s statewide total is now 1,663 cases. Learn more
10:40 a.m.
- Oregon’s rickety, outdated system for processing jobless claims is failing thousands of workers when they most need help, delaying unemployment cash they could use to help pay rent and other bills during the state’s coronavirus shutdown. Learn more
7:50 a.m.
- Waiting on that stimulus check? You may already have the money in your bank account, or it may still be on the way. The IRS launched a new function on its website this morning that allows you to track the status of your stimulus check. Learn more
- Living with the love of your life can be challenging under the best of circumstances. Now add in a global pandemic and the stay-home order that accompanies it. Portland psychologist Dr. Doreen Dodgen-Magee shares some advice on how to keep your relationship strong during the coronavirus outbreak. Learn more
- Oregon State Police advise against calling 911 to report people who aren't social distancing. Here's what you should do if you come across social distancing violators. Learn more