This story will be updated throughout the day
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Here is the latest information from April 23, 2020, in Oregon and Southwest Washington in the ongoing coronavirus pandemic:
Oregon deaths, cases jump on Thursday
One day after reporting no deaths from the coronavirus, Oregon health officials announced Thursday 5 more people died, bringing the overall total to 83.
Additionally, another 68 cases were confirmed in the state, raising the total to 2127. Those 68 cases were spread through 13 counties, with Washington and Multnomah having the most (18 and 16, respectively.)
Four of the 5 people who died were in Multnomah County. The other lived in Clackamas County. The 4 men and one woman were between the ages of 70 and 94 and all had underlying medical conditions. Two of them died at their homes, 3 in medical facilities.
Washington death toll cracks 700
Washington state health officials reported a total of 12,753 cases and 711 deaths as of Wednesday night. The number of cases increased from 313 to 321 in Clark County from Wednesday to Thursday and another person has died there, bringing the county’s death toll to 17. The number of cases in Cowlitz County held steady at 34 cases in Cowlitz County.
Gov. Brown extends Oregon’s emergency child care order
Oregon Governor Kate Brown issued an executive order on Thursday to align the effective date of her emergency child care directives with other social distancing orders. Licensed child care centers are to remain closed unless they’re approved to provide Emergency Child Care by the Early Learning Division.
Emergency Child Care providers are required to prioritize child care for essential workers, limit the number of children to “stable” groups of 10 in a home or classroom and follow the state’s health and safety guidelines.
Neon rose updated, to shine each night
The iconic neon rose at the Rose Building in downtown Portland’s Waterfront Park is being updated and will illuminate the night sky beginning Friday night.
The original designer, Ramsay Signs, updated the rose “to offer a positive message to the community during uncertain times,” a release said. The structural support will be done Thursday with the new rose installed on Friday.
The rose can be seen from the Naito Parkway side and the river side and is meant to be a symbol of hope to the City of Roses.
Stay Home, Drink Beer festival
A fundraiser for the Oregon Brewers Guild — Stay Home, Drink Beer — is set for May 2. This virtual festival will feature brewers from across the state and encourages social distancing.
The digital entry for the virtual beer fest is $10 and includes access to 2 exclusive channels, a private Facebook group and a Zoom room. There is also an Oregon Beer Box raffle, with grand prize winners getting a mixed case of tasty Oregon brews.
Shop Oregon Craft Beer
Oregon Craft Beer — Beer to Go
Auto insurance companies to offer refunds
Many auto insurance companies will provide premium refunds and credits to Oregon drivers because of the financial crunch caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The companies worked with the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation and is due in large part because there are fewer cars on the road. The ODFR gave the insurance carriers guidance to issue the refunds and get money back to the consumers as quickly as they can.
The ODFR also asked insurers to provide temporary private passenger auto coverage for delivery drivers.
Complete list of auto insurance companies
providing refunds and credits
Updates from April 22, 2020
No new deaths in Oregon
The latest COVID-19 numbers released Wednesday by Oregon health officials show the confirmed number of cases in the state increased by 57 from the previous day to reach a total of 2,059. No new deaths were reported in the state. Oregon’s COVID-19 death toll stands at 78.
Wednesday’s new cases are in the following counties: Clackamas (10), Coos (1), Deschutes (2), Jefferson (1), Linn (1), Marion (7), Multnomah (24), Washington (10) and Yamhill (1).
Washington nears 700 deaths
Washington state health officials reported a total of 12,494 cases and 692 deaths as of Tuesday night. The number of cases increased by seven in Clark County from Tuesday to Wednesday. One more case was reported in Cowlitz County. There are no new deaths in either county.
Oregon Humane Society donates pet food
The Oregon Humane Society filled 3 trucks with dog food, cat food and litter and hit the road to deliver it to shelters, rescues and food pantries in Hood River, Pendleton and Eugene.
The twice-weekly deliveries will continue for the next month and will go to all 36 counties in Oregon.
About 27,000 pounds of pet food was supplied by GreaterGood.org, and overall, more than 50,000 pounds of food will be distributed in the next month.
Emergency Household Stabilization Funds Available Beginning April 27
Emergency Household Stabilization Funds will be available beginning on April 27, the Portland Housing Bureau announced on Wednesday. The bureau stated that $1 million has been reallocated to the COVID-19 Emergency Household Stabilization Fund for households that have seen income lost throughout the pandemic.
Limited cash assistance will be sent to at least 2,000 households to help cover various expenses such as groceries, rent, utilities, and medical expenses. Out of the fund, $200,000 will be available to the public, with $250 sent to each household through an application that will open on April 27. Remaining funds will be distributed through internal resources, according to PHB.
Once the application goes live, people can apply online.
McMenamins reopens for takeout
The local pub chain posted the good news on Facebook Tuesday night — they are reopening their doors for takeout!
The restaurant said they will offer food and beer to-go orders starting this Friday at 11 a.m. McMenamins also says they’re adding new meals for families of four.
Last month, McMenamins laid off 3,000 people after it closed all locations in Oregon and Washington.