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Oregon coronavirus updates March 31: 18 total deaths, 690 cases

COVID-19 continues to spread in Oregon and Southwest Washington. Get the latest updates here.

SEE LIVE UPDATES FOR APRIL 1 HERE

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

BY THE NUMBERS

As of Tuesday evening:

REAL-TIME UPDATES

11:30 p.m.

  • A Hillsboro man and his brother are thanking those working in hospital emergency rooms during the COVID-19 crisis, by teaming up with local restaurants to feed them. Learn more
  • "Birthday parties may not be a big deal for us," said Chief Scott Anderson of the Happy Valley Police Department. "When you're eight, a birthday party is a big deal, so if our few minutes of a parade can improve his party just a bit it's well worth it for us." Learn more

7:05 p.m.

  • Scientists in Portland think they may have figured out a vaccine against COVID-19. Researchers at the Chiles Research Institute at Providence’s Robert Franz Cancer Center have asked the federal government for permission to start trials with human volunteers. Learn more

6:40 p.m.

  • After weeks of health care workers sounding the alarm about orders to conserve and reuse personal protective equipment, or PPE, fearing it made them more susceptible to contracting COVID-19, Portland-area hospitals confirmed Monday that 31 local health care workers have tested positive for the virus. Learn more
  • The more than $2 trillion relief package expanded unemployment insurance benefits and loans for small businesses. However, KGW is still hearing from people who are having trouble applying because the need is so high. Learn more
  • Teachers and staff at Woodlawn Elementary are missing their students as the COVID-19 pandemic keeps them apart. This week we reached out to the staff at Woodlawn, where KGW has been spending a year documenting life inside the school. See their messages

3:20 p.m.

  • After showing symptoms of an illness, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown was tested for COVID-19 and her results came back negative. Willamette Week first reported about the governor's test results. Brown's press secretary told The Oregonian/OregonLive the governor has stayed home “since she first exhibited symptoms of a cold.” Learn more

2:15 p.m.

  • SafeOregon says it is taking more calls about suicidal thoughts and cyberbullying during the coronavirus pandemic. Learn more

1:40 p.m.

  • Two more people in Oregon have died from COVID-19, bringing the state's total up to 18. The two people who died were a 90-year-old man in Yamhill County and an 88-year-old woman in Benton County. Both had underlying medical conditions. The Oregon Health Authority also announced 84 new coronavirus cases. There is now a total of 690 coronavirus cases in Oregon. Learn more

12:45 p.m.

  • Cowlitz County reports two more confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the county to 16. The new cases are a woman in her 20s and a man in his 70s.

12 p.m.

  • Clark County has 116 confirmed cases of coronavirus as of Tuesday morning. Six people, all 70 and older, have died of COVID-19.

11:15 a.m.

  • The due date for property taxes in Clark County is still April 30, according to Clark County Treasurer Alishia Topper. But Topper told KGW that property owners who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 state of emergency can request an extension by emailing taxrequests@clark.wa.gov. Any updates to due dates will be posted here.

10 a.m.

  • There is a possibility that Oregon students will not return at all to their classrooms for the remainder of the school year, relying instead on online learning, according to the deputy superintendent of schools. Learn more
  • Scammers are trying to take advantage of people looking for information or help during the coronavirus pandemic. Here are three common scams to be aware of and avoid. Learn more

8:30 a.m.

  • At least 18 more health care workers in the metro area have tested positive for COVID-19. Providence Health & Services said that 10 of its employees have contracted COVID-19. Legacy Health confirmed that eight of its workers have come down with virus that has swept the globe. That brings to 31 the total number of known health care workers in Oregon who have contracted the virus. Earlier, Oregon Health Sciences University said 12 of its health care workers tested positive. Learn more

7:30 a.m.

  • Data released by the Multnomah County Health Department offers the fullest picture yet of the types of symptoms affecting Oregonians who’ve tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Learn more
  • A chilling conversation happening in hospitals across the country stems from one basic question: if and when a surge of COVID-19 patients overwhelms our health care system and doctors simply don't have the equipment and the manpower to help everyone who needs it, how do those doctors decide who lives and who dies? Learn more
  • A Portland couple who spent 24 days rafting on the Colorado River, away from cell service, internet and far from the outside world, returned to the new reality of statewide shutdowns and social distancing. Learn more

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