The Oregon Health Authority reported 437 new cases of the coronavirus on Wednesday.
The agency also reported 32 new deaths. The new figures were announced when two restaurants on the Oregon coast were fined for intentionally exposing their employees to the virus, as well as other breaches of COVID-19.
The restaurants, both in Florence, face a combined total of nearly $ 36,000 in fines.
A state investigation found that The Little Brown Hen, a coffee shop in Florence, had been offering indoor meals since at least December 26, despite being in an “extreme risk” county at the time. Several protesters, including an armed, threatened inspectors at the door on January 4 and followed them to their cars, a state statement said on Tuesday. The restaurant was fined $ 17,800.
The state also announced on Wednesday that it fined the Firehouse Restaurant for similar conduct, putting its employees at risk despite the temporary ban on indoor dining in Lane County. Inspectors also found that some residents encouraged people to threaten or harm compliance officers if they inspected the restaurant, according to a press release from the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The restaurant was fined $ 18,150.
Where the new cases are by municipality: Baker (6), Benton (22), Clackamas (38), Clatsop (6), Columbia (10), Coos (16), Crook (8), Curry (1), Deschutes (28), Douglas (28), Jackson (27), Jefferson (7), Josephine (20), Klamath (4), Lane (33), Lincoln (2), Linn (6), Malheur (3), Marion (33), Morrow (5), Multnomah (55), Polk (11), Sherman (1), Tillamook (3), Umatilla (15), Union (1), Wasco (1), Washington (41) and Yamhill (6).
Who died: The state health authority did not provide details of the deaths reported on Wednesday. The agency said the details would be provided “later”, but did not say when.
Prevalence of infections: The state reported 417 new positive tests out of 15,528 new tests performed on Wednesday. This is a positivity rate of 2.6%.
Who was infected: New confirmed or presumed infections grew between the following age groups: 0-9 (34); 10-19 (63); 20-29 (86); 30-39 (64); 40-49 (58); 50-59 (42); 60-69 (39); 70-79 (21); 80 and older (8).
Who is in the hospital: The state reported that 162 Oregon residents are hospitalized with COVID-19, three fewer than on Tuesday. There are 46 patients with coronavirus in intensive care, two more than the previous day.