The Oregon Health Authority on Wednesday reported 437 new cases of the coronavirus.
The agency also reported 32 new deaths. The new figures were announced when two restaurants on the Oregon coast were fined for deliberately exposing their employees to the virus, as well as other violations of COVID-19.
The restaurants, both in Florence, have a combined amount of nearly $ 36,000 fines.
A state investigation has found that The Little Brown Hen, a cafe in Florence, has been operating indoor eateries since at least Dec. 26, despite being in an ‘extremely risky’ country at the time. Several protesters, including one carrying a gun, threatened inspectors at the door on January 4 and followed them to their cars, a state news release said Tuesday. The restaurant was fined $ 17,800.
The state also announced Wednesday that it has fined the Firehouse Restaurant for similar behavior, endangering its employees, despite a temporary ban on indoor dining in Lane County. Inspectors also found that some residents encourage people to threaten or harm compliance officers when they investigate the restaurant, according to a news release from the Oregon’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The restaurant was fined $ 18,150.
Where the new cases are by country: 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 immediately provide details about the deaths reported on Wednesday. The agency said details would be provided “at a later date” but declined to say when.
Incidence of infections: The state reported 417 new positive tests out of 15,528 new tests conducted on Wednesday. This is a 2.6% positive percentage.
Who became infected: New confirmed or suspected infections grew among 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 Oregonians are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, three less than Tuesday. There are 46 coronavirus patients in intensive care, two more than the previous day.