Oregon asks people not to attend indoor gatherings of more than 10 people

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Oregon Health Authority is asking Oregonians not to host or attend indoor social gatherings with 10 or more people, as the state sees a spike in coronavirus cases.

They add social gatherings are driving the increases in cases, not business reopenings.

While a lot of cases in Thursday's big report came from rural counties, most of those reported in the record-breaking number on Thursday came from Multnomah County.

Still, given its small population, health officials are alarmed at how many coronavirus cases came from Umatilla County. Umatilla makes up roughly 15% of Oregon's 389 cases reported on Thursday - and one of the reported deaths came from that county, as well.

Overall, 10.5% of the state's total cases have led to hospitalization.

Health officials in eastern Oregon are watching the spike closely. We spoke to George Murdock with Umatilla County Public Health.

"It’s really really alarming, we know pretty much where it’s happening and we’re really trying to figure out," Murdock said.

Umatila County is also one of eight counties now on a coronavirus watch list, averaging about 50 new cases a day in recent days.

The director of Oregon Health Authority addressed the state's case jump on Friday morning.

Health officials say modeling shows daily infections could triple.

Since Oregon began reopening, Oregon Health officials have seen spread of coronavirus when people get together to celebrate with family and friends. That includes:

• Graduations
• Birthdays
• Weddings
• Holidays

Officials said COVID-19 is spreading more among social activities involving groups of younger people. OHA has recorded outbreaks linked to:

• Exercise classes
• Fraternity parties
• Bachelor parties