Gov. Kate Brown has banned large gatherings and said Thursday morning the state should expect thousands of cases of the new coronavirus.

Also Thursday, the state reported three new presumptive cases of the novel coronavirus, bringing the number of known COVID-19 patients in the state to 24. And more universities announced plans to move to remote instruction, though most public K-12 schools say they’ll continue holding classes as usual.

We’ve concluded live updates for the day. Go to oregonlive.com/coronavirus for the latest.

5:14 p.m. | Portland teachers union calls for school closures

The Portland teachers’ union on Thursday called for the state’s largest district to announce school closures.

The state’s largest district, like virtually all others in Oregon, has kept schools open despite an order from Gov. Kate Brown to cancel gatherings of 250 or more people. State and local officials have said schools should remain an exception to that mandate, however, citing a desire to maintain services for low-income students.

4:59 p.m. | Oregon congregations modify services

Oregon’s ban on mass gatherings of 250 or more people includes places of worship. Gov. Kate Brown acknowledged the ban may pose a hardship for the faithful.

But the COVID-19 virus has already prompted Oregon religious congregations to consider canceling or livestreaming services and changing aspects of their services that involve physical contact like handshakes.

4:20 p.m | OSU suspends — but doesn’t cancel — spring sports

Oregon State spring sports competition has been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the entire schedule has not been officially cancelled.

This decision impacts spring sports in baseball, softball, men’s and women’s golf, women’s track and field and men’s and women’s rowing.

3:05 p.m. | Oregon announces three new coronavirus cases

Oregon health officials announced three new presumptive positive cases of the new coronavirus, bringing the state’s total to 24.

Clackamas County now has its first case of COVID-19, a man between the ages of 35 and 54 who had close contact with a previous case. Two new Washington County cases are both women older than 55 who had no known contact with previous cases and are considered community-spread cases.

2:28 p.m. | Seattle area schools cancel classes for 6 weeks

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday ordered that all public and private K-12 schools in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties be closed for six weeks.

1:48 p.m. | University of Portland, Willamette cancel in-person classes

The University of Portland and Willamette University announced plans Thursday to shift their more than 6,000 students to online-only classes, suspending all in-person class instruction.

1:42 p.m. | Regional stocks down more than 30% in a month

The Oregonian Index of regional stocks fell 11.4% Thursday and now is down more than 34% since February 13.

1:38 p.m. | TriMet, already seeing ridership declines, expects ‘big drops’

As coronavirus cases spread in Oregon, TriMet saw significant ridership declines, and transit officials say they are prepared for more “big drops” during the coming weeks.

1:33 p.m. | What venues fall under Oregon governor’s ban on large gatherings?

What venues will be affected? These are the Portland-area theaters that have a capacity of more than 250 people.

1:27 p.m. | Wall Street’s worst day since 1987, Dow falls 2,300 points

The escalating coronavirus emergency Thursday sent stocks to their worst losses since the Black Monday crash of 1987

1:23 p.m. | NCAA Tournaments canceled because of coronavirus outbreak

The NCAA is canceling the men’s and women’s NCAA Tournaments, adding March Madness to the growing list of world sporting events affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

12:48 p.m. | Coronavirus and Oregon schools: What’s canceled, why aren’t schools closed?

Common questions and answers about how Oregon schools are responding to the coronavirus pandemic.

11:48 a.m. | Oregon high school sports organization cancels championships

The Oregon School Activities Association said it’s canceling all remaining winter state basketball championships.

After consulting with schools and venue partners, the OSAA is canceling all remaining Winter State Championships; more information to follow. pic.twitter.com/elyhb8TuGO — OSAA (@OSAASports) March 12, 2020

Here’s a rundown of Oregon sports cancelled and suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak.

11:42 a.m. | Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler declares state of emergency

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler during a press conference held Thursday morning in Portland to talk about coronavirus plans and protocols in the state. (Beth Nakamura/Staff)

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler declared a state of emergency in the city.

The declaration allows city officials to set curfews, regulate the sale of certain items, enforce rent control, limit how many people can gather and order evacuations. It is slated to remain in effect until March 26.

Wheeler said the city will explain specific actions it’ll take in connection with the declaration in the coming days. The city has the option of extending the state of emergency.

Wheeler said the city will continue to provide water, sewer and stormwater services to residents during the state of emergency regardless of whether they can pay their bills. He said the city will work to help small and large businesses recoup losses from cancelled events and loss of sales.

11:32 a.m. | Powell’s Books cancels author appearances, other events

Powell’s Books said it was canceling all of its event programming through the end of April.

11:16 a.m. | Adidas shuts down Portland campus

Adidas will shut down its North Portland campus for two days after two of its employees had contact with someone who tested positive for the virus. The company, a major local employer, has sent the two employees home and self-quarantine. Other employees will work from home.

11:05 a.m. | Portland deploys public hand-washing stations

The city of Portland has deployed 14 places to wash your hands so that people who don’t have ready access to bathrooms can try to stay clean during the novel coronavirus outbreak.

11:00 a.m. | Trail Blazers, Portland theaters ask ticket holders for patience

The Portland Trail Blazers they are working with the NBA to grasp the scope of the suspension and how it would impact the rest of the season in order to develop a refund policy.

The directors of Portland’5 Centers for the Arts announced Thursday they will follow the Governor’s order banning gatherings of 250 or more people, effectively shuttering large arts events in Portland for at least four weeks.

Scheduled events his weekend include “Frozen, the Musical,” “The Journal of Ben Uchida” from Oregon Children’s Theatre, and Oregon Symphony’s presentation of the Berio’s Sinfonia by Rose Bond SoundSights concert.

According to a news release, the directors are working with event presenters to determine if events will be canceled outright or rescheduled. This process will take some time. Ticket purchasers will be contacted directly regarding the status of each performance as details are confirmed.

10:49 a.m. | Gov. Kate Brown says state should prepare for 1000s of cases

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said Thursday morning that the state should be prepared for thousands of cases of COVID-19 as coronavirus continues to spread throughout the state.

“My first order of business is to protect the health of Oregonians,” Brown said in a press conference in Portland. Second, she said, is helping businesses across the state of Oregon and she is bringing together business leaders to determine how to do so.

Late Wednesday night, Brown’s administration announced a statewide ban on gatherings of more than 250 people.

10:33 a.m. | Brazil presidential aide who met with Trump has coronavirus

The communications chief for Brazil’s president has tested positive for the new coronavirus just days after flying with his boss to Florida where he also met U.S. President Donald Trump.

Also, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is self-isolating at home after wife has exhibited flu-like symptoms. Trudeau’s office said Sophie Grégoire Trudeau returned from a speaking engagement in the United Kingdom and began exhibiting mild flu-like symptoms including a low fever late Wednesday night. She is being tested for COVID-19 and is awaiting results.

9:07 a.m. | Dow plummets again as sell-off over the coronavirus deepens

The deepening coronavirus crisis sent stocks into another alarming slide on Wall Street on Thursday, triggering a brief, automatic shutdown in trading for the second time this week.

9:04 a.m. | Portland-area districts cancel field trips, assemblies

Portland Public Schools has cancelled assemblies and field trips and will bar the public from attending sporting events following guidance issued by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown to stem the spread of coronavirus Wednesday.

School board meetings will also be closed to the public but will be live-streamed. The ban starts Thursday and will last for 30 days.

Officials in Beaverton, Tigard-Tualatin, Estacada and Hillsboro also announced a suspension of public events.

8:18 a.m. | Portland Shamrock Run called off

The Portland Shamrock Run is off after Gov. Kate Brown banned large gatherings in the state. On Wednesday, the Shamrock Run team was denying requests for refunds.

Earlier coronavirus updates

IN OREGON: Tests confirmed two coronavirus cases at a veterans’ home in Lebanon, marking the state’s first known cases at a long-term care facility. State officials have worked for days to prevent such an outbreak from transforming into a tragedy, as in Washington, where more than 20 coronavirus deaths have been linked to a single nursing home.

Gov. Kate Brown’s office said she is considering limits on mass gatherings. She may also ask organizations to voluntarily cancel events or close them to fans. The governor learned Wednesday that Oregon would receive $7.8 million from the federal government to address the 21 -- and growing -- cases statewide.

IN SCHOOL: The University of Oregon and Oregon State University required classes to be taught online and canceled in-person final exams. Portland State University administrators are “strongly encouraging" faculty to shift next week’s final exams online. St. Mary’s Academy, a high school next to the Portland State campus in downtown Portland, also decided to go online for at least one week.

IN PORTLAND: City leaders announced plans to temporarily relocate some adults in homeless shelters who are particularly vulnerable to the virus to motels. Officials also will limit large gatherings hosted by city bureaus to lower the chances of transmitting COVID-19.

IN RESPONSE: The first Oregonian known to have contracted COVID-19 is finally home. Rebecca Frasure and her husband left Forest Grove in January for an Asian cruise aboard the Diamond Princess and was diagnosed with the virus Feb. 6. She spent nearly a month at a hospital in Tokyo after testing positive. Now, she wants people to know that her isolation, while tough, is important.

CORONAVIRUS IN OREGON: THE LATEST NEWS

-- The Oregonian/OregonLive staff

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