Coronavirus updates, Friday: Death in Marion County brings total in county to 27
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We'll update this story throughout the day with the latest news about coronavirus and its effects in Oregon on Friday, June 5.
Updated 2:57 p.m. Friday
One more Marion County resident dies from COVID-19
One more person in Marion County has died due to COVID-19, according to data released by the Oregon Health Authority, bringing the county’s total deaths to 27.
The 96-year-old woman tested positive May 31 and died June 3 at Salem Hospital. She had underlying medical conditions.
Marion County had 17 new cases of COVID-19 in Friday’s data and has had 1,028 total cases.
Only Marion and Multnomah counties have over 1,000 positive cases of Oregon counties.
There have been 4,570 total cases in Oregon, including 161 deaths.
Friday's count was the third-highest since the onset of the pandemic. There have been 238 in the past three days.
The OHA attributed the increase to wider availability of testing, increased contact tracing, active monitoring of close contacts and workplace outbreaks, especially in seasonal facilities.
— Bill Poehler
Updated 8:06 a.m. Friday
Gov. Kate Brown approves 26 counties for Phase 2 of reopening
Twenty-six counties — but not Marion and Polk — have been approved by Gov. Kate Brown to move to Phase 2 of reopening.
“Today, most of us live in communities where people are venturing out a bit. We do so cautiously, looking out for friends, family and neighbors,” Brown said. “I want to say thank you to each and every Oregonian who has made tremendous sacrifices to protect the health and safety of our communities.”
Oregon’s Phase 2 coronavirus reopening plan will include opening pools, zoos, museums and movie theaters, allowing recreational sports, loosening current restaurant restrictions and expanding outdoor gatherings to 100 people.
Counties are moving into Phase 2 on different dates. These include:
June 5: Benton, Curry, Douglas, Grant, Jackson, Klamath, Lake, Lane, Linn, Morrow, Union, Wallowa, Wasco and Wheeler.
June 6: Baker, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Crook, Gilliam, Harney, Josephine, Malheur, Sherman and Yamhill.
June 8: Tillamook
Counties entering Phase 2 will continue reopening following new health and safety guidance for gatherings, indoor and outdoor venues, workplaces, travel, bars and restaurants, indoor and outdoor activities, pools and sports courts, and recreational sports.
Salem-Keizer students to keep Chromebooks over summer
Salem-Keizer Public Schools students will be able to keep the Chromebooks checked out to support distance learning through the summer.
In April, the district distributed nearly 30,000 Chromebooks to students.
“By holding onto these devices, students will have continued access to digital learning resources and opportunities to practice academic skills learned throughout the school year,” said Bob Silva, director of technology and information systems.
For student safety, the devices are disabled overnight.
If students no longer need their Chromebook, or they are not returning to a Salem-Keizer school in the fall, the Chromebook can be dropped off at the district Technology Office at 1340 State St., Salem, OR 97301, Monday-Thursday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
If families are not able to drop off a Chromebook at that location, please call 503-399-5555 for assistance.
Amazon facility reports five COVID-19 cases
Five cases of COVID-19 have been reported at Amazon's Salem facility, Oregon Health Authority officials reported Thursday. An investigation into the outbreak started May 21.
State and county public health officials are working with the business to address the outbreak and protect the health of workers. They said the risk to the general public is considered low.
Amazon spokesperson Brittany Parmley said the most recent cases involved three workers who live together. They are now quarantining at home with full pay.
“Since March, our Salem facility has maintained a rate of infection below the rate of Marion County," Parmley said. "Our top concern is ensuring the health and safety of our employees, and we expect to invest approximately $4 billion from April to June on COVID-related initiatives to get products to customers and keep employees safe."
Amazon's warehouse in Salem opened August 2019 with about 1,000 employees. The company said it hired another 100 earlier this year.
Coronavirus cases grow by 76 across Oregon
Oregon Health Authority reported 76 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, the highest daily total since May 9. The state's total case count is now 4,474. There were no reported deaths.
The new cases reported today are in the following counties: Clackamas (9), Coos (1), Crook (1), Deschutes (5), Jackson (1), Jefferson (1), Lane (3), Lincoln (5), Linn (2), Marion (12), Multnomah (30), Umatilla (1), Wasco (1), Washington (3), Yamhill (1).
One case previously reported in Polk County was determined not to be a case; the county case count has been adjusted to reflect this.
COVID-19 by the numbers in Oregon
Here's the most recent data from OHA, as of Thursday, June 4.
- 159: Deaths from COVID-19
- 124: People hospitalized with confirmed or suspected COVID-19
- 13: Patients placed on ventilators
- 4,474: Total cases
- 134,838: Tests that were negative
- 139,188: Total number of tests given, since Jan. 24