The Oregon Health Authority announced 169 new COVID-19 diagnoses in the state on Tuesday and four new death due to the virus. Since the start of the pandemic 28,355 people in Oregon have been diagnosed with the coronavirus.
As of Monday, the coronavirus has led to the hospitalization of 2,161 people statewide over the course of the pandemic.
Related: Track new COVID-19 cases in Oregon by ZIP code
Wildfire smoke increases risks for people experiencing COVID-19
People with or recovering from COVID-19 need to use extra caution when it comes to their health as wildfire smoke blankets large areas of Oregon.
Air quality conditions were categorized as hazardous in several parts of the Willamette Valley connected to the Beachie Creek Fire east of Salem. There were spikes of unhealthy air quality in southern Oregon as well from the Two Four Two fire burning near Chiloquin.
The CDC says the cloth masks that are being used to prevent the spread of coronavirus through respiratory droplets don’t offer much protection against the particulate matter in wildfire. The smoke particles are too small to be stopped by the fabric, although well-fitting N95 masks do filter out smoke particles.
Related: Wildfire smoke can leave people with COVID-19 at greater risk
