UPDATE (7:03 p.m. PT) — Oregon state and local health officials reported 51 new known coronavirus cases Friday. There are now 1,371 confirmed cases in Oregon.
Oregon officials also reported four new coronavirus-related deaths Friday.
There have been 48 known coronavirus-related deaths in the state.
Washington nears 10,000 cases
Clark County Public Health said Friday that there are 14 new confirmed coronavirus cases in the county. There are now 220 known cases of the virus there. To date, 14 people in Clark County have died.
The latest available data from the Washington Department of Health indicated the state had reported 9,887 diagnosed cases of the coronavirus and 475 related deaths.
Oregon officials remind people to stay home
Even as the weather improves, Oregon public health officials are urging people to continue staying home amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Related: As Sunshine Lures Oregonians Outside, Officials Remind People To Stay Home
Though state parks, all private and public recreational campgrounds and many federal trailheads are closed, many local parks are still open. But, officials are warning people to continue practicing social distancing if they do choose to go to public spaces.
“Physical distance of at least six feet needs to be maintained to stay safe,” the Oregon COVID-19 Joint Information Center said in a statement. “Whether indoors or outdoors, the virus can still be easily passed from person to person, even if individuals are not showing symptoms.”
The center said people should not be doing things like traveling to the coast if they don’t already live there.
Map: Watch The Spread Of Coronavirus Across The US
See where and how reported cases of the novel coronavirus have grown over time in the map below.
"PBS NewsHour"
Oregon layoffs continue
The Multnomah Athletic Club said Friday in a letter to the state that it will be laying off 635 employees. It said it expects to begin layoffs on May 1.
“At this time, MAC is uncertain how long these layoffs will last,” the letter reads. “While MAC expects them to be temporary, there is a possibility that they could last for six months or more.”
The Portland Art Museum and Northwest Film Center announced staff cuts Friday afternoon, effective April 16. In a statement, the downtown arts organization said it is putting 80% of staff on "unpaid leave status."
Officials said the museum and film center were paying $1 million per month in payroll expenses, with no revenue coming in from admissions or retail sales.
“I know that the Portland Art Museum and Northwest Film Center matter deeply to our staff and community,” Portland Art Museum director Brian Ferriso said. “I remain hopeful that we will emerge soon to offer the connection and inspiration that our institution has provided for more than a century.”
Eagle Crest Resort in Redmond, Oregon, Friday also announced layoffs. It said it is laying off 60 employees. It’s expecting the layoffs to begin immediately.
“This mass layoff is expected to be temporary,” the resort said in a letter to the state.
Clark County delays property tax deadline
Clark County Treasurer Alishia Topper announced Friday an extension of the property tax due date for both individual residential and commercial taxpayers to June 3. The regular deadline was April 30.
“The widespread economic impact of the coronavirus is evident and has financially impacted many Clark County property owners,” Topper said in a statement. “This extension will hopefully provide short-term relief during this difficult time.”
Topper said the extension applies to both “real property taxes” for buildings and structures and “personal property taxes” for equipment used in business.
New Portland police rules
In an effort to follow new federal guidelines that recommend all Americans wear face coverings in public, the Portland Police Bureau said Friday all officers will wear some sort of cover when responding to calls.
“I have directed officers to wear one of the masks available if they cannot keep six feet of physical distance from each other or the member of the community,” Chief Jami Resch said, announcing the new directions.
Related: Portland Shootings Increase Despite Stay At Home Order
Officers will wear either cloth coverings, surgical masks or respirators. The bureau is asking officers to wear gloves and masks when placing someone under arrest.
The bureau also announced this week it was relaxing its policies around towing.
Usually, if police order a car towed, the owner must go into the city’s central precinct to get a release. Police also charge a $150 fee.
In an effort to reduce the number of people moving through the precinct, the bureau’s suspending both the fee and the release procedure for as long as Gov. Kate Brown’s stay-home order is in effect.