Two homeless people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Multnomah County, bringing the virus to one of the most vulnerable populations in Oregon.

The county public health department confirmed the cases Tuesday, but did not provide details about when the results were reported. There have been 276 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Multnomah County so far.

Salem reported Oregon’s first case of coronavirus in a homeless person on March 26, according to the Salem Reporter. Across the state, homeless people make up less than 1% of all coronavirus cases, according to the Oregon Health Authority.

The housing status of coronavirus patients is important because people who live outside in harsh conditions are more likely to die from the virus. And, if they test positive, homeless people don’t have anywhere to go that is safe and isolated to recuperate.

People with little to no income and no place to cook are also more likely to be in large gathering spaces to get food and other services -- a tinderbox for spreading the virus.

Multnomah County Public Health declined to say where people were living when diagnosed, but officials have also worried that the virus could move through homeless shelters quickly.

Multnomah County has opened nearly 400 beds in community centers and the Oregon Convention Center to spread out residents and allow social distancing in shelters.

Outreach workers have distributed hygiene kits and the city of Portland has installed hand-washing stations around the city.

A shelter for homeless people experiencing symptoms of coronavirus but who haven’t tested positive opened last week in the Jupiter Hotel with 12 people. Officials said they expect to eventually use all 81 rooms.

The city-county Joint Office of Homeless Services also plans to open a shelter for people who tested positive for COVID-19 but don’t have a place to recover.

The county did not disclose where the two positive cases were currently staying, but hospitals and homeless service providers have been given broad authority and funding to pay for hotel rooms for people who are not sick enough to stay in a hospital but need a safe place to recuperate.

-- Molly Harbarger

mharbarger@oregonian.com | 503-294-5923 | @MollyHarbarger

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