We ll update this story throughout the day with the latest news about coronavirus and its effects in Oregon on Tuesday, Feb. 23.
Oregon identifies five more cases of U.K. variant
Oregon health officials have identified five more cases of the more contagious, and possibly more deadly, COVID-19 variant first identified in the U.K., bringing the state’s total to nine.
Oregon Health Authority spokesman Tim Heider said the state will not release information about when or in which counties new cases of the strain were identified.
The variant, also called strain B.1.1.7, was first identified in Oregon in a Multnomah County resident in mid-January.
The state of Oregon reported Tuesday 528 newly confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 and eight more deaths. A total of 2,162 people in the state of Oregon have died of COVID-19 and 153,645 have tested positive for it. RELATED:Most Oregon counties can reopen, expand indoor dining under new risk levels. The Oregon Health Authority released the following on the new cases and deaths. Cases.