Coronavirus updates Sunday: Oregon breaks record for third straight day

Oregonians are being urged to cancel large Thanksgiving gatherings with family and friends as the state sees its third consecutive day of record-breaking cases of COVID-19.

The Oregon Health Authority on Sunday announced 1,517 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 in Oregon, bringing the state total to 65,170.

There were 1,509 new confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases announced Saturday and 1,306 new cases announced Friday. 

Lane County Public Health reported 73 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday. The total case count is 3,853. The county said 469 people are considered infectious, and 20 are hospitalized.

“Oregon is on a steep and stark slope of rising coronavirus cases,” OHA Director Patrick Allen said. “But we aren’t powerless in the face of this virus. Because it depends on us to slow the spread. Your choices make a difference.

“This Thanksgiving, cancel any plans you have to celebrate indoors with large groups of family and friends."

Gov. Kate Brown issued a two-week "freeze" by executive order that limits social gatherings to no more than six people from two households, both inside and outside, effective through Dec. 2.

Allen cited state-investigated outbreaks that began with get-togethers that seemed innocent at the time but led to many people contracting COVID-19. 

"The safest, wisest and most caring way to protect the people you love is to keep your Thanksgiving dinner small and limited to no more than one other household beside your own," Allen said.

"Keep the holidays a time to remember, not a time to regret.”

OHA officials announced one new COVID-19-related death Sunday, raising the state's death toll to 820.

A 65-year-old Multnomah County man who tested positive Nov. 15 died the same day. OHA said the location of his death and the presence of underlying conditions are being confirmed.

State sees more than 1,500 new cases Saturday

Oregon had a second consecutive day of record-high new cases of COVID-19, reflecting a pace of accelerating transmission across the state, the Oregon Health Authority reported Saturday.

There were 1,509 new confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases announced Saturday and seven more people died, bringing the state's death toll during the pandemic to 819, officials said.

The agency again asked Oregonians to "help slow the spread by wearing a face covering, staying six feet from people outside their households, frequently washing their hands and keeping social gatherings small."

Gov. Kate Brown issued a two-week "freeze" by executive order that limits social gatherings to no more than six people from two households, both inside and outside, effective Nov. 18-Dec. 2.

The order also requires some businesses and "faith-based organizations" to limit capacity. Businesses such as gyms, indoor recreational facilities, museums and others were told to close completely for the duration of the two weeks. And restaurants are limited to takeout service only.

80 new cases in Lane County

Lane County Public Health reported 80 new cases of COVID-19 on its website Saturday.

There have been 3,780 total cases in the county, and 456 people are considered infectious, an increase of six from Friday. The agency said 21 people were hospitalized as of Saturday.

The county death toll related to COVID-19 remained at 37.

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