As Oregon exceeded the 10,000 mark in total COVID-19 cases last week, Linn County has seen a slight increase in its count of new presumptive cases, with 17 reported over the past week, according to Oregon Health Authority figures.
The state’s total number of coronavirus cases, as of Monday, July 6, was 10,395, with 215 deaths.
Linn County’s was 157 cases since the outbreak began here in mid-March. It has not had a death since mid-May, when the ninth fatality was reported.
Oregon’s move over the 10,000 mark came after four days in a row of case counts exceeding 300 new cases per day.
Linn County’s case rate per 100,000 population, between June 18 and July 1, was 22.79, ranking it 11th from the bottom among the 30 counties in Oregon. Its sporadic case rate, which represents cases which can’t be traced to previous outbreaks and may indicate an uncontained spread of the virus, is 13.02 cases per 100,000 over the same period. Clatsop ranks the lowest of all Oregon counties in both categories, while Umatilla and Morrow are the highest.
According to the OHA, as of July 5 Oregon’s cumulative positive testing rate is 3.7 percent of tests form, considerably lower than the national average of 9 percent.
The state has been focusing on testing at skilled nursing facilities, residential care facilities and assisted living facilities statewide. Results will be used to inform its testing strategy in these high-risk populations.
Gov. Kate Brown imposed a new rule Wednesday, July 1, requiring Oregonians statewide to wear masks when entering an indoor public space.
Meanwhile, Oregon lawmakers and the governor on Friday, July 3, extended Oregon’s ban on commercial and residential evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic through the end of September.
Both chambers of the Legislature voted Friday, during a special session, to pass House Bill 4213, which cleared the House on a 43-14 vote and the Senate on a 19-8 vote.
The extension gives renters until March 31, 2021 to pay everything back without any late fees or being reported to credit agencies. The original order by the governor did not include a grace period.
Brown also signed a bill Friday that prohibits lenders from initiating foreclosures against homeowners and other borrowers through Sept. 30. The House voted 39-18 and the Senate voted 19-8 to pass the bill.
LendingTree.com announced Monday that Oregon is tied with Michigan for fifth in the nation in the percentage of renters who have deferred payments, at 3.2 percent. Ohio, with 5 percent, is that the top. Washington is 25th, at 1.8 percent, and Idaho and Alaska are tied for fifth from the bottom, at .06 percent.