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
As of Wednesday evening:
- Oregon: 78 deaths, 2,059 cases, 41,128 tests (39,126 negative) Latest Oregon numbers
- Washington: 692 deaths, 12,494 cases, 147,953 tests (135,459 negative) Latest Washington numbers
- United States: 46,769 deaths, 842,376 cases Latest U.S. numbers
- World: 183,424 deaths, 2,628,527 cases Latest global numbers
11:30 p.m.
- Oregon unexpectedly withheld $600 federal bonus checks for more than 10,000 laid-off Oregonians this week, the latest stumble in a series of mistakes at the troubled employment department. Learn more
- Nurse Bev Lohrman was feeling anxious about work so her neighbor kids decided to encourage her with music. Now the whole neighborhood gathers to hear them play. Learn more
9:35 p.m.
- A Forest Grove renter his suing his landlord for allegedly using the IRS website to find out if he received a stimulus check. Learn more
- For people struggling with their mental health or substance use disorders, the uncertainty of the pandemic and stay-home order can exacerbate those underlying issues. Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare is still offering mental health and substance use treatment. Learn more
- Oregon's primary is still happening in May and campaigns have had to adjust to get their messages out. Learn more
6:50 p.m.
- An undocumented family shares their story as the immigration debate moves to the forefront of the COVID-19 conversation. Learn more
- While there have been success stories to talk about in regards to distance learning, a Portland second grade teacher can’t help but think about the students who’ve had a more difficult time making the transition. She gives her perspective on the temporary new normal for education. Learn more
6:20 p.m.
- In rural Oregon, hospitals are often the biggest employers around. But in the upside-down world of COVID-19, hospitals and the communities they support are also one of the businesses hit hard financially. Learn more
- For years, local governments across Oregon have relied on tourists for a steady stream of tax revenue. Lodging taxes imposed on hotel stays or short-term rentals like Airbnb generate millions of dollars every year. Portland predicts revenues from lodging taxes will be cut in half over the next year, resulting in a $20 million shortfall. Learn more
- Right now, you can buy a gallon of gas for less than $1 a gallon in more than a dozen states. The average price in Portland is more than $2.60 a gallon. Why is it so much more expensive here versus other parts of the country? Learn more
- Four cases of COVID-19 have been detected at the Foster Farms processing plant in Kelso, Wash., and health officials are testing other employees to see if the virus has spread further. Learn more
5:10 p.m.
- A new poll found 82% of Oregonians strongly or support stay-home orders in the fight against COVID-19. The survey found that protesters calling for Oregon Gov. Kate Brown to reopen the state's economy do not represent most residents. Learn more
- The Salvation Army is providing free child care for front-line, essential workers in Salem area. Thanks in part to a large donation from AT&T, Salvation Army is providing free child care from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and provides all meals and snacks, as well as structured education and fun activities. Learn more
- An Oregon man who died from COVID-19 was remembered by his daughter as a prankster and devoted father and husband. "Here's this couple that have been married over 70 years and the last week of their life they can't even be together. That's what tore me up the most," she said. Learn more
- From an indoor virtual camp out to STEM programs, the Girl Scouts are keeping their troops connected and learning during a pandemic. Learn more
1:45 p.m.
- Oregon reported 57 new cases of COVID-19 but no new deaths for the first time since March 29. A total of 2,059 people have tested positive in Oregon. The statewide death toll is 78 people. Learn more
- An employee who worked at a Whole Foods store in Portland died from COVID-19, a spokeswoman for the company confirmed Wednesday. The person died April 20. Learn more
- Many small businesses in Oregon and Washington are eagerly awaiting the passage of a nearly $500 billion relief bill by Congress. The first batch of money for small business loans through the Paycheck Protection Program ran out last week. Learn more
11:50 a.m.
- Oregon Health & Science University in Portland has expanded its toll-free hotline to allow anyone in the state to ask for guidance about symptoms and care for COVID-19. The hotline is meant for Oregonians who don’t already have primary care and for clinicians looking for advice about patients with the coronavirus. Oregonians can call 833-OHSU-CCC (833-647-8222). The hotline is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.
8 a.m.
- Oregon is among the bottom four states in COVID-19 testing. According to the White House, Oregon, Montana, Oklahoma and Maine are able to test fewer than 30 in 1,000 people a month. Yesterday, the Oregon Health Authority released revised guidelines for COVID-19 broader testing. Learn more
- After more than a month of not tracking whether people who tested positive for COVID-19 recovered, the Oregon Health Authority is reversing course. The agency said it is calling every person who tested positive to determine if they’ve recovered and when they recovered. Learn more
- Not all businesses are operating at this time in Portland due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but here are some businesses currently hiring in the area. Learn more