Umatilla County tracking outbreak of COVID-19

HERMISTON, Ore.-- The Oregon Health Authority announced Tuesday that it is tracking an outbreak of COVID-19 cases connected to the Walmart Distribution Center in Umatilla County, the latest in a series of setbacks for the county as it works to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

So far, health officials have identified 23 cases of COVID-19 in connection with employees at the Walmart Distribution Center.

It was just the latest example of how the virus is spreading in Umatilla County. The Oregon Health Authority reported another 59 cases of COVID-19 in Umatilla County Tuesday, the highest count in the state behind Multnomah County which had 67 new cases.

Out of the nine fatalities reported in Oregon on Tuesday, one occurred in Umatilla County. The 47-year-old Hermiston man tested positive on June 29 and died on July 17 at Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla where he was being treated. Health officials say the man had underlying conditions.