Record-high 14 new coronavirus deaths reported in Oregon

On Tuesday, the Oregon Health Authority confirmed 342 new known cases of COVID-19 with a record-breaking 14 additional fatalities at the hands of the virus.

With the additional deaths, the state of Oregon surpasses the mark of 300 lives lost since the coronavirus came to the US.

At the time of writing, the number of known cases in Oregon sits at 17,416, with 303 deaths.

According to the Oregon Health Authority, the new cases reported today are in the following counties: Benton (three), Clackamas (15), Clatsop (three), Coos (three), Crook (two), Curry (one), Deschutes (seven), Douglas (two), Harney (one), Jackson (10), Jefferson (nine), Josephine (nine), Klamath (two), Lane (six), Linn (five), Malheur (15), Marion (40), Morrow (seven), Multnomah (74), Polk (13), Umatilla (75), Washington (31), and Yamhill (nine).

“As we surpass 300 deaths related to COVID-19, including the 14 deaths reported today, I wish to extend sincere condolences on behalf of everyone at OHA to the families who have lost a loved one to this disease,” says OHA Director Patrick Allen. “It is a stark reminder of the work all Oregonians need to do to bring this pandemic under control. Together we can slow this disease and prevent this terrible loss of life.”

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Oregon’s face covering ordinance is now in effect, which mandates that all Oregonians wear masks when in public if a distance of six feet cannot be maintained. This includes indoor and outdoor spaces. The mandate has now been extended to children over the age of five.

The restrictions in an executive order passed down by Governor Brown have recently seen loosening. Instituting a new phased reopening plan, the state will reevaluate how to approach the coronavirus on a county-by-county basis as businesses look to reopen.