PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Health officials reported 575 new cases of COVID-19 in Oregon on Thursday, the highest daily case count in the state since the start of the pandemic.
The new confirmed and presumptive cases are in the following counties: Baker (7), Benton (15), Clackamas (62), Clatsop (2), Columbia (1), Coos (2), Crook (1), Deschutes (25), Douglas (4), Grant (1), Harney (1), Hood River (5), Jackson (54), Jefferson (2), Josephine (1), Klamath (1), Lake (2), Lane (17), Linn (18), Malheur (7), Marion (62), Morrow (5), Multnomah (102), Polk (7), Sherman (1), Tillamook (2), Umatilla (42), Union (7), Wallowa (3), Washington (107) and Yamhill (9).
The Oregon Health Authority also said Thursday the virus had claimed the lives of a 96-year-old woman in Multnomah County and a 94-year-old woman in Marion County, both of whom had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s coronavirus death toll is now at 673.
The daily case count record was previously set on Oct. 23 when health officials reported 550 new cases in Oregon.
Authorities said they’re not seeing large outbreaks but rather many small cluster outbreaks, especially among younger people between 20-40 years old.
“They usually present with fewer symptoms, if at all, so they may not know that they have the virus and go out there and hangout with their friends and then spread it to their friends,” said OHA Senior Health Advisor Dr. Bukhosi Dube.
The OHA said people are often getting sick at social gatherings which is why they’re asking everyone to avoid door-to-door trick-or-treating and costume parties this year for Halloween and only spend time with your immediate household. Officials said case numbers have spiked after every holiday, including Labor Day and the Fourth of July.
One family told KOIN 6 News they created a “candy slide” for kids who may come to their door on Halloween.
“They’ll be able to put their buckets at the bottom of the stairs and we can just slide the candy to them,” explained Adam Aleksy.
Last week, the OHA revised its face-covering guidance to require people to wear face coverings “in all private and public workplaces including classrooms, offices, meeting rooms, and workspaces unless someone is alone in an office or in a private workspace.”
Face coverings are also now required in indoor and outdoor markets, street fairs, private career schools, and public and private colleges and universities.
OHA also said face coverings are better than face shields, except for those instances when, for instance, someone who is deaf or hearing impaired needs to read lips.
And the standard guidance remains: Stay 6 feet or more away, avoid large gatherings, limit social gatherings and wash your hands frequently.