Oregon reports 9 coronavirus deaths on Friday, a new high for state’s daily death toll

This story is breaking and will be updated.

During a morning press call, Oregon Health Authority Director Pat Allen shared that the state tallied nine coronavirus deaths on Friday — a record high for its daily reporting.

Allen also said the state has recorded another 396 positive or presumptive positive COVID-19 cases, bringing Oregon’s total to at least 16,000.

Allen said that the higher number of cases reflects that the virus was spread more during Fourth of July gatherings and celebrations.

Those deaths reported on Friday include:

– A 61-year-old woman in Multnomah County who died July 18 in her residence. The death certificate listed COVID-19 disease as a significant condition that contributed to her death. No confirmatory testing for COVID-19 was performed, but this aligns with the CSTE probable case definition for a presumptive case, which OHA follows.

– A 68-year-old woman in Clackamas County who tested positive June 5 and died July 16, at Providence Portland Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

– A 92-year-old man in Deschutes County who tested positive July 12 and died July 18. His place of death is being confirmed. He had underlying conditions.

– A 96-year-old man in Deschutes County who tested positive July 12 and died July 23, in his residence. He had underlying conditions.

– A 90-year-old woman in Malheur County who tested positive July 9 and died July 23, in her residence. She had underlying conditions.

– A 74-year-old man in Marion County who tested positive July 3 and died July 22, at Salem Hospital. He had underlying conditions.

– A 62-year-old woman in Multnomah County who tested positive July 18 and died July 18. More information is being confirmed.

– An 87-year-old woman in Umatilla County who tested positive July 10 and died July 22. She had underlying conditions. Her place of death is being confirmed.

– A 69-year-old man in Umatilla who tested positive July 8 and died July 21, in his residence. He had underlying conditions.

On Wednesday, the state announced 264 new cases of the novel coronavirus, and two new deaths. That was far below the record of 437 new cases announced last Thursday, or the record-tying seven deaths reported Tuesday.

State epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger and Allen both said that Oregonians really need to stop gathering and socializing with people outside their households unless they’re wearing masks, keeping at least six feet of distance and washing hands. They also said indoor gatherings are a problem.

“We’re at a real turning point,” Sidelinger said, “we can start to see the infections drop again if we take some simple steps.”

Public health officials in Oregon have said that large outbreaks are surfacing less frequently across the state and that they’re now struggling to identify the circumstances under which Oregonians are becoming exposed to the coronavirus.