Oregon's coronavirus death toll passes 200 as case numbers climb

With five more fatalities reported Friday by the Oregon Health Authority, the state’s death toll at the hands of COVID-19 has surpassed 200.

It has been more than five months since the coronavirus landed in the United States. As of Friday afternoon, there have been 2,461,444 infections and 124,891 virus-related deaths reported in the country.

On March 28, Oregon Governor Kate Brown put a “Stay Home Order” in effect, which  shut down the majority of the economy and city services in order to quell the spread of the virus.

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In the months that followed, plans were put in place to slowly reopen the state, county by county, depending on their health and safety procedures and track record. Unfortunately, daily OHA reports show a large increase in coronavirus cases.

On Friday, the OHA reported 250 new cases, the second-highest number of cases reported since the outbreak began. Last week, 278 new cases were reported on a single day. Numbers have not dipped below 100 in a day since June 10.

To combat this increase, while maintaining course on the Reopening Oregon plan, Governor Brown instituted a mandatory mask policy for all public indoor spaces and any outdoor space in which residents may be within six feet from strangers.

While the federal government recently brought the Coronavirus Task Force back together to address the rising numbers in 32 states across America, there are no new plans to extend federal funding for those who have lost their jobs or need financial help.

Oregon suggests local businesses apply for the Paycheck Protection Plan, which still has nearly $100 billion in funds available for employees.