Oregon reports 146 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 1 new death, June 8

PORTLAND, Ore. — COVID-19 has claimed one more life in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 164, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, June 7. Oregon Health Authority reported 146 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. Sunday, bringing the state total to 4,808.  The new cases reported today are in the following counties: Clackamas (18), Deschutes (2), Hood River (12), Lincoln (61), Linn (1), Marion (11), Multnomah (22), Umatilla (5), Wasco (2), Washington (8), Yamhill (4).  Oregon’s 164th COVID-19 death is a 71-year-old man in Malheur County, who tested positive on June 1. Additional information is still pending. Sunday’s COVID-19 case count marked the highest daily count since the onset of the pandemic in Oregon, with 146 presumptive and confirmed cases reported to OHA. The high number is tied to several factors, including more widespread testing, increased contact tracing and active monitoring of close contacts of cases. Workplace outbreaks are another source of the high number. An outbreak of 65 cases of COVID-19 has been reported at Pacific Seafood in Lincoln County. The investigation into the outbreak started June 2, but the initial case count was below the threshold for public disclosure. OHA is now publicly reporting COVID-19 outbreaks of more than five cases in workplaces with more than 30 employees. State and county public health officials are working with the business to address the outbreak and protect the health of workers. The risk to the general public is considered low. Persons who have symptoms of COVID-19 or concerns about their risk of exposure are encouraged to contact their health care provider. Additional information for this outbreak, along with all active and resolved workplace outbreaks, will be added to the COVID-19 Weekly Report published on June 10.  The 12 new cases in Hood River today also are linked to outbreaks at seasonal agricultural facilities. The 22 new cases in Multnomah County appear to be from sporadic sources. Although the number is high Sunday, the overall rate of infection in Oregon remains among the lowest in the United States. Sunday’s case count serves as a reminder that Oregonians need to continue to maintain physical distancing, wear face coverings where physical distancing cannot be maintained and follow good hand hygiene. Oregon’s 162nd COVID-19 death is a 70-year-old woman in Multnomah County, who tested positive on April 8 and died on May 9 in her residence. She had underlying medical conditions. Oregon’s 163rd COVID-19 death is a 50-year-old man in Multnomah County, who tested positive on April 23 and died on May 29 in his residence. He had underlying medical conditions. Oregon’s weekly testing summary for the week ending June 5 shows that 20,539 people were tested, above the minimum weekly goal of 15,000 outlined in the COVID-19 Strategic Testing plan for Oregon. As of week’s end, the cumulative positive testing rate was 3.1 percent of tests performed. This is lower than the national average of 11 percent. The decreasing rate of positive test results reflects the success of Oregonians in following the Governor’s stay-at-home order, along with increasing testing statewide. Notes: One case previously reported in Deschutes County was determined not to be a case; the county case count has been adjusted to reflect this. Oregon’s 160th COVID-19 death is a 63-year-old man in Multnomah County, who tested positive on April 29 and died June 3, at the Portland VA Medical Center. He had underlying medical conditions. Oregon’s 161st COVID-19 death is a 96-year-old woman in Marion County, who tested positive on May 31 and died June 3, at Salem Hospital. She had underlying medical conditions. Notes:  One case previously reported in Crook County was determined not to be a case. The county case count has been appropriately adjusted. One case previously reported in Deschutes County was determined not to be a case. The county case count has been appropriately adjusted. Daily case count is higher – Saturday’s COVID-19 case count marked the third highest daily count since the onset of the pandemic in Oregon with 97 presumptive and confirmed cases reported to OHA. That brings the total for the past three days to 238 reported cases. The higher numbers are tied to several factors including the availability of more widespread testing, increased contact tracing, and active monitoring of close contacts of cases. There has been an increase in the number of household cases associated with a confirmed case. Workplace outbreaks are another source of the higher numbers. Many of these are seasonal facilities and many are following public health recommendations by offering testing to their employees.  Although the numbers are higher, the overall rate of infection remains among the lowest in the U.S. But higher case counts serve as a reminder that Oregonians need to continue to maintain physical distancing, wear face coverings where physical distancing cannot be maintained, avoid large gatherings, and follow good hand hygiene.  OHA to institute weekend reporting changes to COVID-19 daily update – Beginning this weekend, Saturday, June 6, OHA will no longer include a link to the Oregon COVID-19 Daily Update in the daily news release. The updates will be published Mondays through Fridays. Relevant data collected during the weekends will be included in each Monday’s update. The daily news release for weekend days also will no longer include the county case count of new confirmed or presumed COVID-19 cases. To see more case and county level data, please visit the Oregon Health Authority website, which OHA updates once a day: www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus.  Stay informed about COVID-19: Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Office of Emergency Management lead the state response. United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response. Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response. Coos Co. 32 cases, deaths, 1,710 negatives; Curry Co. 7 cases, 0 deaths, 408 negatives.