PORTLAND, Ore. — Cases of COVID-19, a new strain of coronavirus, began popping up in the United States in January. The first case in Oregon was reported on Feb. 28.
We post a new blog post every day that tracks the daily changes in Oregon and Southwest Washington as we get them. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LATEST UPDATES
BY THE NUMBERS
As of Thursday evening:
- Oregon: 137 deaths, 3,479 cases, 86,679 tests (83,272 negative) Latest Oregon numbers
- Washington: 983 deaths, 17,773 cases, 267,931 tests (250,158 negative) Latest Washington numbers
- United States: 85,884 deaths, 1,417,512 cases Latest U.S. numbers
- World: 302,115 deaths, 4,440,989 cases Latest global numbers
REAL-TIME UPDATES
9:25 p.m.
- All Oregon stores can open to shoppers again Friday, as long as they aren't in a mall and they follow state COVID-19 health guidelines. Learn more
- Gov. Kate Brown and the Oregon Health Authority on Thursday gave the go-ahead to 31 of 33 counties that applied to enter Phase 1 of the state’s reopening plan. But two counties, Marion and Polk, were told to put their reopening plans on hold. Here's why. Learn more
- No one knows if there will be a college football season or what it will look like. But Oregon coach Mario Cristobal and Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith are preparing for whatever lies ahead. Learn more
6:55 p.m.
- While most other counties in Oregon were granted approval for limited opening of some businesses, metro-area counties say they're not ready, and they probably won't be for weeks. Learn more
- As part of the state's slow, phased reopening Oregon, Gov. Kate Brown released statewide standards for the child care sector. The specific guidance for expanding child care operations goes into effect Friday, May 15, and expands emergency child care across the state for parents going back to work. Learn more
5:05 p.m.
- Gyms and fitness centers are also among the businesses approved to open under Phase 1 of the governor’s plan. The Oregon Health Authority released the guidelines gyms must follow to keep their customers safe. Learn more
4:25 p.m.
- Three more counties in Oregon, Jefferson, Morrow and Umatilla, have been approved by Gov. Kate Brown to move into Phase 1 of reopening beginning Friday. There are now 31 counties set to move into the first phase of reopening. Learn more
3:45 p.m.
- What does Phase 1 of reopening in Oregon look like? Here’s what restrictions will be eased for counties moving into the first phase. Learn more
- Another 14,100 Oregonians filed initial claims for unemployment benefits during the week of May 3 to May 9. With the new initial claims, 396,000 Oregonians have applied for unemployment since the coronavirus pandemic prompted business closures in mid-March. Learn more
- Coronavirus cases at the Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem surged to 80 this week. In addition, 21 staff members at the prison have also tested positive and 4 tests are awaiting results. Learn more
- The family of a 75-year-old woman who is among the 29 people who have died amid a coronavirus outbreak at Healthcare at Foster Creek in Southeast Portland has sued the facility. The plaintiffs are seeking $1.8 million in damages. Learn more
- The Oregon National Air Guard will continue its F-15 Eagle flyovers Friday. This week’s flyovers will take place over hospitals in southern Oregon. Learn more
1:40 p.m.
- Oregon health officials announced three new COVID-19 deaths in the state, along with 67 new confirmed cases of the virus. Learn more
- The Oregon National Air Guard will continue its F-15 Eagle flyovers Friday as a salute to health care workers and those on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19. Friday's flyovers will be in southern Oregon. Learn more
11:30 a.m.
- Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced Thursday that 28 counties have qualified to enter Phase 1 of reopening, which begins on Friday. Three counties are still under review and two counties, Marion and Polk, were denied. Learn more
8:50 a.m.
- Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has approved multiple Oregon counties for Phase 1 of reopening, according to reports from KGW and its news partners. Some of the counties approved include Yamhill, Deschutes, Lane, Douglas, Jackson, Coos, Curry, Klamath, Douglas, Josephine and Wasco. Learn more
6:30 a.m.
- Oregon Gov. Kate Brown will hold a news conference this morning to announce which counties will be able to enter Phase 1 of her reopening plan. The approved counties will be allowed to begin their slow reopening on Friday, May 15. KGW will carry the news conference live on TV and stream the event live here. Learn more
- Retail stores across Oregon have been given the green light to reopen for customers on Friday, May 15. Learn more
- Kroger, which owns Fred Meyer, is ending the additional $2 hourly "hero bonus" that has been paid since late March to its front-line workers during the coronavirus pandemic. The union that represents grocery workers in the Portland metro area has asked Kroger to extend the bonus pay until Gov. Kate Brown ends the state of emergency. Learn more
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