Oregon reports 307 new COVID-19 cases

SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Health Authority reported 307 new confirmed coronavirus cases in the state Friday, as officials continue to urge residents to stay apart to slow community spread of the disease.

In addition there were five newly-reported COVID-19 related deaths, including a 35-year-old woman in Multnomah County who had underlying medical conditions.

“To prevent (community spread), we need people to take the actions that we have outlined for weeks,” Patrick Allen, the director of the Oregon Health Authority, said at a press conference Thursday.

The total amount of confirmed cases in Oregon since the start of the pandemic has now surpassed 13,800. The death toll is 254.

Most of the cases reported Friday were in Multnomah County, which is home to Portland, and Umatilla, a rural county that has the state’s largest amount of cases per capita.

“It’s spreading in every community in the state, rural and urban,” Allen said.

Allen said that the percentage of positive tests also has increased to 6.2 percent. The World Health Organization recommends the rate be 5 percent or less.

Health officials have attributed much of the recent infections to social gatherings, specifically weddings, parties, exercise classes and holiday celebrations.