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Oregon COVID-19 updates June 23: Face masks required in 7 counties Wednesday

As COVID-19 continues to impact Oregon and Southwest Washington, get the latest updates here.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Cases of COVID-19 began popping up in the United States in January. The first case in Oregon was reported on Feb. 28.

We've been posting a daily blog to track the 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. 

  • On Wednesday, masks will be required in public places in more than a half dozen Oregon counties and later this week masks must be worn in every county across Washington. Learn more

9:55 p.m.

  • Contact tracing is a key part of the state’s strategy to limit the spread of COVID-19. The Oregon Health Authority released data about the number of people available for contact tracing across the state, and it shows some counties have more work to do. Learn more

7:30 p.m.

  • Medical experts around the country say as cases of coronavirus continue to rise, states like Oregon can expect to see a rise in hospitalizations. But the percentage of hospitalizations for people with COVID-19 is still lower in Oregon than in the nation. Learn more
  • Some popular cities on the Oregon Coast are fully into Phase 2 of reopening. And with nice weather, more people are going to visit. The Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce is all for that, but also wants to keep everyone safe. On Wednesday the chamber will begin distributing 5,000 masks from Clatsop County, free of charge, to businesses that want them. Learn more

4:20 p.m.

  • Health officials reported 191 new coronavirus cases in Oregon on Tuesday, but no additional deaths. It’s the 13th straight day the Oregon Health Authority has reported at least 100 new cases. The 191 cases reported Tuesday are the third-most during the pandemic. Learn more
  • Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced face coverings will be mandatory in public, indoors and outdoors, when it’s impossible to maintain six feet of physical distance from others. The requirement goes into effect on Friday, June 26. Learn more
  • Amid coronavirus concerns, Portland Thorns and U.S. Women's National Team player Tobin Heath will not play in the NWSL Challenge Cup set to kick off June 27 near Salt Lake City, Utah. Learn more
  • Dr. Anthony Fauci said it's a question of "when, not if" the United States will have a vaccine for COVID-19. Learn more

8:45 a.m.

  • A Portland Streetcar operator has tested positive for COVID-19. The person had been in contact with a family member who had tested positive, a spokesperson said. The operator has stayed home and self-quarantined and the facilities and streetcars the operator had been in contact with were immediately cleaned. Portland Streetcar operators have been required to keep their operator cab doors closed while in service since the beginning of April.

8 a.m.

  • Multnomah County's 17 new cases of COVID-19 were about 12% of yesterday's total in the state. On Sunday, the county saw 84 new cases, which was 44% of Oregon's total for the day. County health officials said they expected cases to rise in the county as more family and social gatherings began to happen, starting around Memorial Day. "We expected people to start mixing more. As the virus finds its way into worksites and social networks, we know that the virus will spread," said Dr. Jennifer Vines, the county's health director. Learn more

Top stories from yesterday

  • Are face masks required in Oregon churches? What about multi-story apartment buildings? We answer a few of your mask-related questions. Learn more
  • In response to coronavirus restrictions, the Portland Bureau of Transportation has issued nearly 200 permits to expand table service outside, to allow struggling businesses to serve more customers. Learn more
  • In the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. government scrambled to find enough protective gear. Despite no prior experience acquiring medical products or working with the government, an Oregon gift shop supplier landed a deal with the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. Learn more
  • Two more people have died from COVID-19 in Oregon, bringing the state's death toll to 192, according to the Oregon Health Authority. There were 146 new confirmed and presumptive cases of the coronavirus announced Monday. Learn more

INTERACTIVE: Oregon COVID-19 cases

INTERACTIVE: Oregon COVID-19 data by age group

INTERACTIVE: Oregon COVID-19 positive tests, negative tests and deaths

WATCH: Coronavirus latest updates | YouTube playlist

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