x
Breaking News
More () »

Oregon coronavirus updates April 2: Marion County has highest infection rate

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

PORTLAND, Ore. — 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 Thursday afternoon:

REAL-TIME UPDATES

10:10 p.m.

  • The Oregon Department of Corrections announced the first adult in custody within the state’s prison system has tested positive for coronavirus. The man is an inmate at Santiam Correctional Institution in Salem. Learn more

6:45 p.m.

  • Oregon’s social distancing measures may be slowing the spread of COVID-19 by 50% to 70%, according to researchers. But officials say now is not the time relax social distancing measures. Learn more
  • To stem the spread of COVID-19 and protect public health, Oregon's chief justice put restrictions on all court operations until she orders otherwise. All criminal, civil and other trials, hearings and proceedings must be pushed back until after June 1, 2020. However, there are exceptions for required "essential proceedings". Many of those proceedings can be held remote through video conference or phone calls. Learn more
  • Coronavirus cases in Oregon are growing daily. Still, Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay has zero patients, but they know it's just a matter of time until they get one. The hospital is preparing for a surge in coronavirus cases. Learn more
  • After it was announced an employee at the Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem tested positive for coronavirus, doctors, nurses and volunteers are taking temperatures of hundreds of inmates who may have had contact with the infected employee. Statewide, 13 inmates have been tested for coronavirus, and each has tested negative. Learn more
  • It's been a couple of weeks since we all started social distancing. So by now, there are plenty of creative ways to spend your free time at home this weekend. Learn more

5:20 p.m.

  • In Washington, Gov. Jay Inslee has announced that the state's stay home mandate has been extended another month, through at least May 4.
    "We unfortunately have yet to see the full weight of this virus in our state. This order is not only justified, it is morally necessary," Inslee said. "We are confident in the steps we have taken but we cannot lose steam in the middle of this fight." Learn more 

4:40 p.m.

  • Marion County has the highest coronavirus infection rate in the state, according to data from the Oregon Health Authority. Learn more
  • TriMet is limiting the number of riders on its buses to 15 in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Learn more

2:15 p.m.

  • Two more people have died from COVID-19 in Oregon, health officials report, bringing the state's death toll to 21. Oregon Health Authority also reported 90 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of positive tests in the state to 826. Learn more

12:40 p.m.

  • Clark County reports two more people have died from COVID-19, bringing the southwest Washington county's death toll to eight. The county also announced one additional positive case, bringing the number of positive tests to 131 people. Learn more

11:05 a.m.

  • Portland Public Schools is opening Chromebook distribution to any PPS high school student that needs one, today until 4 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Students need to bring their school ID or have their ID number. Learn more

10:15 a.m.

  • 92,700 Oregonians filed for unemployment insurance in the week ending March 28, according to statistics released Thursday by the Oregon Employment Department. The number of claims topped the previous record of 76,500, which was set the week prior. Learn more

8:15 a.m.

  • An institute creating projections used by the White House coronavirus task force is estimating Oregon could see more than 500 COVID-19 deaths before the end of the outbreak. It also estimates Oregon's peak days for deaths and hospital resources coming in early May. Learn more
  • An Oregon veteran who celebrated his 104th birthday Wednesday could be one of the oldest people in the world to survive the new coronavirus. William Lapschies, among the first Oregonians known to have the disease, has been declared free of the virus, said daughter Carolee Brown. Learn more
  • If I have type O blood, am I immune to COVID? If all of us are staying home, where are all the new cases coming from? We have answers to these and other questions you've sent us. Have questions about COVID-19? Ask us on social media, email newstips@kgw.com or text FACTS to 503-226-5111. Learn more

RELATED: U.S. coronavirus live updates

RELATED: Washington coronavirus live updates

RELATED: Oregon coronavirus updates April 1

RELATED: Coronavirus in Oregon: By the numbers

WATCH: #FactsNotFear: The latest coverage of the coronavirus

Before You Leave, Check This Out