The Oregon Health Authority announced three new COVID-19 deaths Saturday, and 353 new diagnoses. Since the start of the pandemic, 14,149 people have been diagnosed with the coronavirus in Oregon and 257 havedied.

The more densely populated Portland area continues to drive the rise in cases, with 149 new confirmed and presumptive new cases in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties onSaturday.

Away from Portland, Marion County reported 31 diagnoses, Lane County reported 37, and Umatilla County reported35.

The state provided these details about the people whose deaths it announcedSaturday:

Related:COVID-19 In Oregon: By TheNumbers

This map shows new cases of COVID-19 in each ZIP code in Oregon.ZIP codes are colored by the number of cases per 10,000 residents.ZIPs are shaded to show contrast; rates in Oregon remain lower than most of the U.S.

Health officials in Clark County, Washington, said Friday that another 44 people had tested positive for COVID-19 and a man in his 60s had died. Its not clear if the man who died had underlying healthconditions.

To date, 1,434 residents of the southwest Washington county have tested positive for COVID-19 and 34 people havedied.

According to the latest available data, Washington has 44,313 confirmed coronavirus cases and 1,427 known deaths. As of Wednesday, coronavirus has led to the hospitalization of 4,944peopleinWashington.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has warnedthat if case numbers dont improve, he may have to start shutting down the economy again. Counties throughout the state will have to remain in their current phase of reopening until atleastJuly28.

Top Republican lawmakers are asking Oregon Gov. Kate Brown to reconsider her decision to tether Clackamas County to Multnomah and Washington counties as the stateeases COVID-19 restrictionsin the midst of thepandemic.

Coupling Clackamas County with the two most urban and densely populated counties in Oregon is unwarranted and unnecessarily burdens our local communities and businesses who are already struggling during this economic downturn, House Republican Leader Christine Drazan, R-Canby, said in a statement. The county commissioners have asked for this policy to be reconsidered, and today we echotheirplea.

But the Clackamas Board of Commissioners stepped back from asking the governor to take a new look at the countys application to further ease restrictions, amid a statewide surge in newdiagnoses.

Read more:Oregon Republicans Push To Reconsider Portland-area ReopeningStrategy

The Oregon Employment Department has introducedanonline formit hopes willmake it easier for Oregonians to apply for its Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program the unemployment benefit program for self-employed, contract and gigworkers.

The agency said the new form, created in partnership with Google, will allow the more than 100,000 people who have already applied for so-called PUA benefits to get their weekly paymentsfaster.

The form seeks to automate the weekly certification process that PUA applicants must complete. The form also should ensure that all applications are received with complete information, according to the Employment Department. The agency said the previous process included a PDF which resulted in some forms mistakenly being submitted blank, itsaid.

This is an encouraging step forward for Oregonians whove been waiting for benefits, as well as for the department. I am pleased we have made these changes and pledge that we will continue finding better ways to serve you, Oregon Employment Department Acting Director David Gerstenfeld said in astatement.

Original post:

Live Updates: Oregon COVID-19 Deaths, Infections Continue To Climb - OPB News