The Oregon Health Authority on Tuesday reported 299 new coronavirus cases and eight more deaths as state officials face political scrutiny over a large workplace outbreak at the coast.
Oregon’s average daily case count has stagnated in recent days at around 280, the highest level since mid-August. Part of the increase is linked to Pacific Seafood in Clatsop County, where public health officials recently announced nearly 100 cases.
Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, whose district includes Warrenton, pressed state health officials Tuesday for answers about the outbreak.
Saying she was “deeply concerned,” Bonamici questioned if the outbreak had been preceded by complaints about the facility and what steps are being taken to maintain physical distancing in worker housing.
“This outbreak threatens the health, well-being and economic stability of many Clatsop County residents, including businesses and workers who are afraid of a new wave of closures,” Bonamici wrote in a letter to the Oregon Health Authority.
“The public needs and deserves to know what the state of Oregon and Pacific Seafood are doing to protect the health of our community,” she added, “now and in the future.”
The Oregon Health Authority did not immediately respond to a request for comment about if, or when, the agency will respond to each of Bonamici’s questions.
The Clatsop outbreak is already the state’s third-largest involving a workplace, excluding prisons. Lamb Weston in Hermiston reported 186 cases, while Pacific Seafood’s Newport facility reported the most: 187.
Although the Newport outbreak has been resolved, Pacific Seafood has active workplace outbreaks at two other locations beyond Warrenton. As of last week, the state disclosed 14 cases linked to a facility in Clackamas County and six cases in Coos County.
Where the new cases are by county: Baker (1), Benton (8), Clackamas (28), Clatsop (2), Columbia (3), Coos (1), Crook (1), Deschutes (7), Douglas (7), Jackson (11), Jefferson (4), Josephine (5), Klamath (10), Lane (32), Linn (4), Malheur (9), Marion (49), Morrow (4), Multnomah (52), Polk (3), Umatilla (11), Wallowa (1), Washington (41) and Yamhill (5).
New fatalities: Oregon’s 548th death linked to coronavirus is a 96-year-old Clackamas County woman with underlying health conditions. She tested positive Sept. 9 and died Sept. 17 at her residence.
The 549th fatality is a 95-year-old Multnomah County woman with underlying medical conditions. She tested positive July 3 and died Sept. 3 in her residence.
Oregon’s 550th death is an 81-year-old Malheur County man with underlying health conditions. He tested positive Aug. 31 and died Sept. 20 in his residence.
The 551st fatality is a 67-year-old Malheur County man with underlying medical conditions. He tested positive Sept. 9 and died Sept. 27 at St. Alphonsus Medical Center in Idaho.
Oregon’s 552nd death is a 68-year-old Malheur County man who tested positive Dept. 5 and died Sept. 25 at St. Alphonsus Medical Center in Idaho. State officials are confirming if he had underlying health conditions.
The 553rd fatality is a 60-year-old Yamhill County woman with underlying medical conditions. She tested positive July 30 and died Aug. 18 at Salem Hospital.
Oregon’s 554th death is a 57-year-old Marion County man with underlying health conditions. He tested positive Aug. 19 and died Sept. 11 at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center.
The 555th fatality is a 66-year-old Multnomah County man with underlying health conditions. He tested positive Sept. 10 and died Sept. 22 at Adventist Health Portland.
The prevalence of infections: State officials reported 288 new confirmed infections out of 4,345 people tested, equaling a 6.6% positivity rate.
Who got infected: New confirmed or presumed infections grew among the following age groups: 0-9 (13); 10-19 (28); 20-29 (71); 30-39 (62); 40-49 (53); 50-59 (28); 60-69 (17); 70-79 (14); 80 and older (6).
Who’s in the hospital: The state Tuesday reported 122 Oregonians with confirmed coronavirus infections are currently in the hospital, down 11 from Monday. Oregon remains well below its capacity, with hundreds of hospital beds and ventilators available.
Since it began: Oregon has reported 33,291 confirmed or presumed infections and 555 deaths, among the lowest totals in the nation. To date, 677,770 Oregonians have been tested.
David Cansler contributed to this report.
-- Brad Schmidt; bschmidt@oregonian.com; 503-294-7628; @_brad_schmidt