Lane County COVID-19 update, Jan. 25: 3 deaths, 346 cases; seven-day average sets another record

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Lane County reported three deaths and 346 confirmed or presumptive cases of COVID-19 Tuesday raising the death toll to 367 and the countywide case count to 46,512.

For the second day in a row, the seven-day case average set a record, a Register-Guard calculation of Lane County Public Health data showed. Monday's average was 797, Sunday the figure was 757.43.

There were 3,180 county residents considered infectious, a 6% decline from Monday's 3,394.

There were 63 county residents hospitalized Tuesday, up one from Monday, with 15 in intensive care, down one from Monday, and four on a ventilator, unchanged from Monday.

Of the 63 county residents hospitalized Tuesday, 73%, or 46, were unvaccinated, Lane County Public Health reported.

As of Monday, 271,966 people in Lane County, 71.31% of the total population, had received first or second vaccine doses with 634,285 first and second doses administered in Lane County, according to the Oregon Health Authority.

— The Register-Guard

Portland man pleads guilty to stealing COVID-relief money

PORTLAND — An Oregon man has pleaded guilty in a scheme to steal money intended to help small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to federal prosecutors.

Benjamin Tifekchian, 47, of Portland, on Tuesday pleaded guilty to bank fraud as part of a plea deal, U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug of the District of Oregon said in a news release.

In 2019, Tifekchian incorporated Bencho Jewelry Inc. in Oregon, was the sole owner and officer, and never generated over $500 in revenue per year, court documents say.

After Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans amid the pandemic, Tifekchian successfully obtained more than $884,000 in a Paycheck Protection Program loan. He falsely claimed Bencho employed 78 people and had an average monthly payroll of $353,698.

Tifekchian used some of the money to pay for gambling and vacations before Bank of America froze the loan funds, suspecting fraud.

His fraudulent applications for Economic Injury Disaster Loans were denied. A federal grand jury in Portland indicted Tifekchian last year on bank fraud and wire fraud charges.

Tifekchian faces a maximum of 30 years in prison. With his continued acceptance of responsibility, the government will recommend Tifekchian be sentenced to at least 21 months in prison. Tifekchian has agreed to pay over $900,000 in restitution.

— The Associated Press

UW to return to in-person learning

SEATTLE — The University of Washington will return to in-person learning at the end of January after starting winter quarter online because of a omicron-fueled spike in COVID-19 cases.

A letter from President Ana Mari Cauce to students on Monday said COVID-19 cases locally are declining, allowing the school to proceed with returning to in-person classes, KIRO-TV reported.

“The improving public health situation and the resulting reduction in coronavirus-related disruptions allow us to follow through with our plans to return to largely in-person classes and learning experiences on Monday, Jan. 31,” Cauce wrote in the letter.

Cauce wrote that students should expect their classes to be in the original format listed in the time schedule unless told otherwise. Accommodations can be requested by those with health-related conditions or needs that put them at heightened risk, according to the letter.

The school announced in December that most classes would be held online for the first week of winter quarter in January. Remote instruction was extended as COVID-19 cases continued to rise.

The university in Seattle requires requires masks indoors for everyone, regardless of vaccination status, and also requires all students and personnel to be vaccinated. The letter requested that people on campus “level up” mask protection by wearing KN95, KF94, N95 or surgical masks as people are able.

— The Associated Press

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This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Lane County COVID-19 update: 3 deaths, 346 cases, record 7-day count