PORTLAND, Ore. — The coronavirus known as COVID-19 has made its way to the Pacific Northwest.
As of Sunday afternoon, there were 39 cases in Oregon and one death. In Washington, there have been 42 deaths among the 769 people who tested positive for the virus.
We’ll be updating this story each day with the latest news in both states. Here’s a look at what has happened to this point.
March 15:
- Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced that he will be signing an emergency proclamation to temporarily shut down bars, restaurants and entertainment facilities and even further limit the size of gatherings during the coronavirus.
- During a Sunday night call with reporters, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said she is considering a curfew for restaurants and bars, limiting their occupancy or potentially shutting them down altogether. She said she will announce her decision Monday.
- ChefStable, the restaurant group behind some of Portland’s best-known restaurants, will begin closing all 20 of its bars and restaurants for at least four weeks after service Sunday, owner Kurt Huffman said.
- Oregon announces three more cases of COVID-19, bringing the state's total to 39. The new cases are in Yamhill County, Deschutes County and Linn County. The Yamhill County and Deschutes County cases are believed to be community acquired. The Linn County cases is a staff member at a veterans' home, which currently has nine residents who have tested positive. The employee was sent home when symptoms appeared and has remained in isolation ever since.
- Mt. Hood Meadows and Timberline Ski Area will be closed for at least a week due to concerns about the spread of coronavirus.
March 14:
- Oregon has reported its first COVID-19 death. A 70-year-old man in Multnomah county died due to the virus.
- Many local businesses are losing revenue due to fears over spreading the coronavirus. Some are getting creative to stay afloat.
- An XFL player for the Seattle Dragons tests positive for COVID-19. The player participated in the team's game in Houston on March 7. They were asymptomatic at the time, according to a team official.
- Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle announces it has rescheduled the event for Aug. 21-23. The convention was originally scheduled for this month but was postponed due to bans on large gatherings in Washington.
- Three more deaths and 74 more COVID-19 cases are reported in Washington. Forty people have died among the state's 642 cases. More than 7,000 people have tested negative for the virus.
- Fred Meyer announces it is hiring workers immediately to help with re-stocking and fulfilling online orders.
- Four more COVID-19 cases are reported in Oregon, including three in Washington County and another at a veterans' home in Linn County. There are now 36 cases in the state, including nine people at the Lebanon veterans' home.
- Details emerge for how Portland-area school districts will offer meals to students while schools are closed. Click here for a list of where you can find meals for your children.
March 13:
- Nearly 400 doctors in Oregon sign a letter to Gov. Kate Brown asking for more resources to contain the spread of coronavirus. The doctors say that in two weeks they may be making decisions on who will live and who will die because the health care system will be overwhelmed.
- Nike encourages all U.S.-based employees to work from home starting Monday, March 16 through March 31, if their job allows. Nike’s World Headquarters in Beaverton will remain open during this time.
- Clark County Public Health announces two COVID-19 cases in Clark County. The two cases – a man in his 80s and a woman in her 80s – reside in long-term care facilities. There are now three total cases in Clark County.
- Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announces all K-12 private and public schools across the state of Washington will be closed from March 16 to April 24.
- The Portland Police Bureau announces that it will no longer dispatch officers to respond to calls -- unless the person seeking help is reporting a “life safety issue.”
- Six more deaths and 111 more COVID-19 cases reported in Washington. There is now a total of 37 deaths among 568 cases in the state.
- The Portland Police Bureau announces it will reduce the number of calls that it dispatches officers to “in person." It will instead direct officers to use the phone to contact people who’ve reported some types of non-life-threatening crimes.
- Deschutes County reports two more people have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in Oregon to 32.
- Oregon Gov. Kate Brown says assistance from the federal government has been "inadequate." Only 10% of the state's request was fulfilled.
March 12:
- Gov. Kate Brown announced that all schools in Oregon will be closed beginning Monday, March 16, in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The closure will continue through March 31. Spring break across the state is scheduled for the week of March 23-27. The decision to reopen schools on April 1 will be re-evaluated during the closure.
- The Multnomah County Circuit Court is changing operations to reduce the number of people who need to come to the courthouse, including allowing deferrals for any juror who feels unable to serve or is in higher-risk categories or showing signs of illness. Several trials are being postponed.
- Clark County Public Health is recommending the cancellation of large gatherings of more than 250 people to stop the spread of COVID-19. The health department said there is no evidence of widespread transmission of COVID-19 in Clark County, but the county's lone case had no recent travel history, which indicates the virus is in the community. The recommendations do not apply to schools, businesses or stores.
- The Oregon Department of Corrections has suspended visits at all 14 state prisons due to the coronavirus.
- Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury announced that the county has declared a state of emergency in response to the coronavirus. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler also announced that the city is under a state of emergency.
- Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced new steps the state is taking to prevent the spread of coronavirus COVID-19. All large gatherings of 250 people or more are canceled statewide effective immediately, and lasting until April 8.
- The Shamrock Run is among a growing list of events canceled in the Portland area over coronavirus concerns.
- Major League Soccer suspends its season for 30 days, a decision the Portland Timbers fully support.
- The men's and women's NCAA tournaments are canceled. Portland was scheduled to host a regional semifinal and final in the women's tournament.
- The OSAA announces remaining state winter championships, which include basketball and dance/drill are canceled.
- Oregon continues to lag behind Washington and California for testing of coronavirus.
- Two Portland private high schools, St. Mary's Academy and Central Catholic, shift to online classes.
- The University of Portland announces classes will transition to online instruction beginning March 18.
- Washington Gov. Jay Inslee orders schools in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties to be shut down for six weeks.
- Oregon Health Authority announces three new cases of COVID-19 in Oregon, including the first in Clackamas County. The statewide total is now 24.
- Washington announces two more COVID-19 deaths, bringing the statewide total to 31 among 457 cases.
- The Portland teachers union calls for school closures due to the coronavirus. They say it's "not a matter of if, but when."
- The Tigard-Tualatin and Lake Oswego school districts announce closings due to the coronavirus. Tigard-Tualatin schools will close beginning Friday, March 13. Lake Oswego schools will close beginning Monday, March 16.
- Six more residents at a veterans' home in Lebanon, Oregon, test positive for COVID-19. The results come after two other residents previously tested positive for the virus. There are now a total of 30 cases in Oregon.
- Gov. Kate Brown on announces all schools in Oregon will be closed beginning Monday, March 16, in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
March 11:
- Oregon announces six new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number in the state to 21. The new cases are in Linn, Polk, Marion, Umatilla and Deschutes counties. “This is something we’ve been expecting,” said state epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger. “It’s a good reminder to take steps to protect yourself.”
- Washington Gov. Jay Inslee bans gatherings of 250 people or more in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties due to the coronavirus outbreak. King County officials are also prohibiting events of fewer than 250 people unless organizers can demonstrate that "very clear public health recommended steps are taken."
- It's announced that Seattle Public Schools will be closed for two weeks, beginning March 12, due to the outbreak.
- Seattle-area sports teams, including the Mariners, Sounders, Dragons and Tacoma Defiance shift gears amid the coronavirus outbreak. The teams make plans to play without fans, play elsewhere or postpone games.
- The NCAA announces fans and spectators won't be allowed to attend games during the men's and women's tournaments. The Moda Center in Portland is set to host Sweet 16 and Elite 8 games for the women's tournament. The University of Oregon and Oregon State University may also be early round host sites.
- The Washington State Department of Health reports five more deaths statewide from COVID-19. Twenty-nine people have died from coronavirus among 366 people who tested positive for the virus.
- The University of Oregon, Oregon State University and Portland State University all announce measures to hold classes remotely.
- St. Mary's Academy, a private high school in Portland, announces they'll shift to digital learning next week.
- Sen. Ron Wyden introduces a bill that would require all states to offer voters a mail-in paper ballot if 25% of all states declare a state of emergency in response to coronavirus.
- The NBA announces the indefinite suspension of the season after a Utah Jazz player tests positive for COVID-19. The Portland Trail Blazers have 16 games remaining.
- Two more people in Oregon test positive for COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 21. The outbreak at the Edward C. Allworth Oregon Veterans’ Home in Lebanon marks the first at a senior-style living center in Oregon.
- Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announces all gatherings of 250 people or more are canceled statewide effective immediately. She also issued new policies for schools and employers in the state in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
- Oregon School Activities Association said Wednesday night that high school basketball tournaments across the state will continue but fans won't be allowed to attend. Only essential personnel and media will be allowed to attend.
March 10:
- The first Multnomah County resident tests positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number in Oregon to 15. The case is being treated at Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, health officials say. The number of people under investigation for the coronavirus increases to 295.
- Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announces new policies that allow the use of unemployment benefits and other support for workers and businesses impacted by the coronavirus. He also detailed new rules for long-term care centers.
- Two more deaths are reported in Washington. Among the 267 people who have tested positive for COVID-19, at least 24 have died.
- Oregon issues new guidelines to long-term care facilities aimed at protecting older adults who are at greater risk of having severe reactions to the coronavirus.
- Inslee is expected to announce Wednesday that crowds of 250 people or more in the Seattle area are banned in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19.
March 9:
- A Portland high school career expo scheduled for March 10 was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. More than 7,000 students from 70 high schools were planning to attend the NW Youth Careers Expo at the Oregon Convention Center.
- The Oregon Health Authority releases the latest numbers on COVID-19 in the state. The number of positive tests remained at 14. A total of 231 people have been tested, with 165 coming back negative. Fifty-two tests are still pending.
- Three more deaths are reported and 33 more people test positive for COVID-19 in Washington.
- A Vancouver-based company awaits approval to go to clinical trials with a drug that may help people who have the coronavirus.
March 8:
- The number of positive cases in Oregon climbs from 7 to 14.
- The Hillsboro School District confirms one of the new cases involves a student at South Meadows Middle School. The school is set to be deep cleaned and classes continue as scheduled Monday.
- Oregon Gov. Kate Brown declares a 60-day state of emergency to aid in combating the spread of COVID-19.
- Three more deaths connected to the coronavirus are reported in Washington, bringing the total to 19. 117 other people have tested positive in the state.
- Washington Gov. Jay Inslee says he is considering 'mandatory measures' to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
- The Oregon Health Authority recommends schools with no COVID-19 cases stay open.
March 7:
- Oregon Health Authority announces four more people tested positive for COVID-19. The people lived in Jackson, Klamath and Washington counties. Three of the four new cases are travel-related, while the other had close contact with someone who previously tested positive. The four new cases bring the total number of cases in Oregon to seven.
- Two Clark County firefighters are voluntarily quarantining themselves after they were exposed to the first case of COVID-19 in the county.
March 6:
- The number of cases of coronavirus in Washington state rises to 80, including 12 people who have died, according to data from the Washington State Department of Health.
- Oregon Health Authority releases the latest numbers on coronavirus in the state. The number of positive cases remain at three. Ninety-five people have been tested. Sixty-four of those have come back negative. Officials are awaiting the results of 28 tests.
- The Umatilla County Public Health Department receives results back from the Washington State Health Lab on the three samples sent for testing earlier in the week from those with close contact with the presumptive positive case of the coronavirus. All three test results are negative.
- A coronavirus vaccine is ready for clinical trials in Seattle. Researchers are looking for 45 participants to help gauge the immune response of the new vaccine.
- Oregon health officials reveal more information, including the age range and hospital status, of the three people who tested positive for COVID-19.
- Clark County Public Health announces the first positive test for COVID-19. The person who tested positive is a man in his 70s.
March 5:
- Forest Hills Elementary School in Lake Oswego reopens for the first time since an employee tested positive for coronavirus. The employee was last at the school on Feb. 19, so this day marked more than two weeks since the person may have exposed others to the virus. The school was closed earlier this week and got a deep cleaning.
- One more person in Washington dies from COVID-19, the 11th death in the state connected to the outbreak. Fifty-nine others, an increase of 30 people, have tested positive for the virus.
- Vice President Mike Pence meets with Washington officials to discuss the coronavirus outbreak.
- The Oregon Health Authority says test results for today were not available due to a large volume of samples being submitted. More results will be shared the next day.
March 4
- Another person in Washington dies from coronavirus, the 10th death in the state connected to the outbreak. Twenty-nine others have tested positive for the virus.
- The Wildhorse Resort & Casino, which closed on March 2 for deep cleaning after an employee tested positive for COVID-19, reopens. "The entire facility has been sanitized both by hand and through the use of a Clorox Total 360 System, an electrostatic spraying unit that delivers disinfectant up to 18,000 square feet per hour," the casino said in a statement.
- Vice President Mike Pence announces he will visit Washington state on Thursday to meet with Gov. Jay Inslee amid the outbreak.
- Washington County in Oregon adopts an emergency declaration over coronavirus. The declaration allows the county to request state and federal funding help during its response to the virus. It also allows the county to quickly buy supplies, if needed.
- The latest numbers from the Oregon Health Authority show 16 more people tested negative for coronavirus, bringing the total of negative tests to 45. The number of positive tests remained at three. There have been 61 people tested for COVID-19. Officials are waiting on the results of 13 tests.
March 3
- State health officials announce three more people in Washington have died of coronavirus, bringing the total to nine. A total of 27 people have tested positive for the 2019 novel coronavirus and nine have died in King and Snohomish counties.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the results of the first presumed case of coronavirus in Oregon. The CDC has yet to get results on confirmation tests for the two other people in Oregon who tested positive at state labs for the virus.
- The Oregon Health Authority updates its website with the latest coronavirus numbers in Oregon. The number of positive tests remains at three. Fifty total people have been tested. Twenty-nine did not have the virus and the state is awaiting results on the 18 other people. More than 100 people are being monitored.
- Gov. Kate Brown sends a letter to Vice President Mike Pence, who is in charge of the federal government's coronavirus response, for $7 million to $10 million a month to help Oregon deal with coronavirus.
March 2
- State health officials announce four more people in Washington have died from coronavirus, bringing the total to six. Eighteen people in the state are presumed to have the virus.
- A third person in Oregon tests positive for COVID-19. This person lives in Umatilla County in Eastern Oregon and was an employee at Wildhorse Resort and Casino. The casino is temporarily closed so it can be deep-cleaned. The resort will reopen March 4 at noon.
- The Oregon Health Authority says 101 people are under monitoring, and 226 others have either completed monitoring or were determined to not have any risk.
- Samples for eight patients are awaiting testing in Oregon, while 17 others have tested negative.
- Clackamas County declares a state of emergency in response to the coronavirus. The county says the move is a precautionary measure.
- Clark County sends specimens for seven people to the state testing lab. These are the first coronavirus tests for people in the Southwest Washington county.
- Kaiser Permanente confirmed that dozens of employees at the Westside Medical Center in Hillsboro were told to stay home in isolation for 14 days after they may have had contact with a patient who tested positive for coronavirus.
March 1
- A second person in Washington dies from the coronavirus. The man was in his 70s and had underlying health conditions.
- A second person in Oregon tests positive for coronavirus. The person was a household contact of the Lake Oswego elementary school employee who tested positive.
Feb. 29
- A Washington man is the first person in the U.S. to die from coronavirus.
- Officials in Washington announce a potential outbreak at a nursing facility in Kirkland, Washington. More than 50 people associated with the center show signs of respiratory symptoms.
- Washington Gov. Jay Inslee declares a state of emergency after the first death in the state.
- The Lake Oswego School District explains why Forest Hills Elementary School is closed through March 4 and what is being done prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Feb. 28
- Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announces the formation of a statewide coronavirus response team, made of up of state agency representatives.
- Oregon has its first presumed case of coronavirus. The person believed to be infected lives in Washington County and works at Forest Hills Elementary School in Lake Oswego.
Feb. 27
- Washington state health officials say there is “no need to panic” about coronavirus. Officials also announce the state will be able to begin testing people for COVID-19 beginning the next day.
Feb. 24
- Oregon Health Authority releases first numbers of people in the state being monitored for coronavirus. Seventy-six people are being monitored.
Feb. 21
- Oregon health officials refuse to say how many people in Oregon are being monitored for coronavirus.
Feb. 3
- The Washington man who was the first person in the U.S. to test positive for coronavirus is released from the hospital.
Jan. 28
- Sea-Tac, the Seattle-area airport, becomes one of 20 airports to expand virus screening for travelers from China.
Jan. 21
- The first U.S. case of coronavirus is identified in Washington. The person had traveled to Wuhan, the Chinese city at the center of the outbreak.
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In Oregon, the risk of contracting COVID-19 remains low, according to officials. At KGW, we’re focusing our news coverage on the facts and not the fear around the virus. To see our full coverage, visit our coronavirus section, here.