Oregon Sees Highest Single-Day Rise in Coronavirus Cases Since Outbreak Began
Novel coronavirus cases in Oregon have climbed to at least 4,808, including 164 deaths, according to the latest report Sunday from the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).
The state reported a record 146 newly confirmed and presumptive cases on Sunday, the highest single-day rise in cases since the outbreak began, the OHA reports. Presumptive cases are cases that have tested positive in a local lab but have yet to be confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"The high number [of new cases] 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," the OHA noted in a statement.
"Although the number is high today, the overall rate of infection in Oregon remains among the lowest in the United States," the statement added.
The OHA also reported 65 cases at the Pacific Seafood company in Lincoln County, which has been approved for the first phase of the state's reopening.
"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," the statement said.
The OHA is now publicly reporting outbreaks of more than five cases in workplaces with more than 30 employees, the statement confirmed.
Nearly 29 other Oregon state counties have been approved for the second phase of the reopening, including Tillamook County, which was approved for the second phase on Monday.
Phase two allows recreational sports and swimming pools, as well as venues such as movie theaters, bowling alleys, and arcades, and some offices, to resume operations.
Under phase two, bars and restaurants may stay open until midnight, while social, civic and faith-based gatherings can meet in larger groups.
All reopened venues in phase two are subject to following precautionary measures including social distancing, size limits on gatherings and sanitization guidelines.
Nine counties in Oregon have been approved for phase one of the state's reopening, which allows restaurants, bars, gyms, bars, hair salons and massage parlors to reopen with social distancing measures and capacity limits in place, the Oregon state government confirms.
Multnomah County, which has seen the highest number of cases in the state so far with 1,286 infections, is the only county which has yet to enter phase one of the reopening.
"Any reopening comes with risk," Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said in a statement Thursday.
"That's just a fact of life right now. We need to reduce the risk that comes with reopening. So, fellow Oregonians, you have further opportunity to show that you are looking out for your friends, family and neighbors," she added.
The novel coronavirus, which was first reported in Wuhan, China, has infected more than seven million people across the globe, including over 1.9 million in the U.S. Over 403,200 have died following infection, while more than 3.1 million have reportedly recovered, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University.
The graphics below, provided by Statista, illustrate the spread of COVID-19 in the U.S. and the worst-affected countries.
