The Oregon Supreme Court issued a stay last night blocking the decision made earlier in the day by Baker County Circuit Court Judge Matt Shirtcliff. The ruling put forth by Judge Shirtcliff stated that Governor Brown has exceeded her authority by restricting activities, including church services and businesses, for longer than the 28 days authorized under state law. He ruled her executive orders relating to the coronavirus pandemic null and void. Governor Brown immediately appealed the ruling to the Oregon Supreme Court. The Oregon Supreme Court decision to issue a stay will keep the executive orders in place statewide until further decision is made on the ruling. The Court is requesting that the attorneys representing the Governor and the Baker County plaintiffs submit responses to the Oregon Supreme Court by May 22.
Union County has no new COVID-19 cases to announce today, keeping the total number of confirmed cases at six. Of the six Union County cases, three meet the Oregon Health Authority’s definition as recovered. The Center for Human Development is working to complete the necessary contact tracing for those that meet the criteria. A close contact is defined as anyone within six feet of the individual for more than 15 minutes. If you are identified through this investigation as someone that may be at risk for COVID-19, public health will be in contact.
Statewide, Oregon Health Authority is reporting today a total of 3,726 confirmed and presumptive cases and 140 COVID-19 deaths. Baker County and Wallowa County each remain at one confirmed case. Umatilla County is reporting a total of 101 confirmed and presumptive cases and three COVID-19 related deaths. The chart below contains COVID testing results for Oregon and includes age groups, number of tests conducted, hospitalizations, ethnicity, and more. Additional details can be found at https://www.oregon.gov/oha.