Oregon reports two new coronavirus deaths as known cases top 10,000 statewide
Published 2:31 pm Sunday, July 5, 2020
SALEM — The Oregon Health Authority on Sunday, July 5, reported 301 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 and two new deaths, bringing the state’s total reported cases to more than 10,000 for the first time, and raising the death toll to 215.
This is the fourth consecutive day Oregon has surpassed 300 new cases. The state set a record July 2 with 375 daily cases. On July 4, health authorities reported 303 new cases, after reporting 344 on July 3.
The Fourth of July holiday weekend left Oregon health officials worried about a spike in coronavirus cases. They urged people to remember that the phased reopening does not mean going back to business as usual and asked Oregonians to choose “low-risk” activities to celebrate the holiday.
Oregon’s medical director Dr. Paul Cieslak said in a July 2 press conference that people should “absolutely” cancel their holiday weekend plans. The safest choice is to stay home, but if Oregonians choose to celebrate away from home, they are urged to maintain distance and opt for doing things outdoors.
Any new infections from holiday weekend gatherings, however, won’t be identified for days.
Where the new cases are by county: Clackamas (25), Columbia (3), Crook (1), Deschutes (8), Douglas (4), Hood River (5) Jackson (3) Jefferson (1), Josephine (3), Lane (10), Malheur (15), Marion (38), Morrow (9), Multnomah (72), Sherman (1), Umatilla (41), Union (1), Wasco (3), Washington (51) and Yamhill (7).
New Fatalities: A 96-year-old woman in Lincoln County tested positive on June 30 and died on July 2 in her home.
A 70-year-old man in Marion County tested positive on June 11 and died on July 3 at Salem Hospital.
Since it began: Oregon Health Authority reports the state has 10,230 total confirmed or presumed infections and 215 deaths; 253,971 people in Oregon have been tested.
This article was originally published by the Oregonian/OregonLive, one of more than a dozen news organizations throughout the state sharing their coverage of the novel coronavirus outbreak to help inform Oregonians about this evolving heath issue.
