Portland, Oregon: A crowded pool Maranie Staab/ReutersThe Pacific Northwest is experiencing a heatwave. On Sunday, Portland saw its hottest day ever.Capacity limits were set at malls, theaters and pools to balance the heat threat and COVID-19.Officials stated that no one would be refused entry to a cooling centre because of crowding problems.For more stories, visit Insider's homepage.According to KATU, Friday's suspension of capacity limits for swimming pools, movie theatres and shopping malls by the Oregon Health Authority was due to rising health risks from the coronavirus.The Pacific Northwest is currently under a heatwave. Portland, Oregon recorded its hottest day ever on Sunday, at 112 degrees Fahrenheit.The heatwave presents a unique challenge in that it is necessary to ensure citizens have cooling water and air conditioning, as well as protection against the COVID-19 epidemic."In many ways we've talked alot with the health department regarding this prioritization so first and foremost we want to get people from this extreme heat," Chris Voss (director of emergency management Multnomah County) told KATU.KATU reported that in addition to the capacity limitations at theaters, pools, and malls being reduced, health officials from several counties stated that no one would be denied access to a cooling centre because of space limitations.Officials could have chosen to keep people cool this weekend because of Oregon's low COVID-19 cases and high vaccination rates.On Friday, Gov. Kate Brown, the Governor of Oregon, stated that Oregon will reopen by June 30. She also said that Oregon was only 35,000 shots from vaccinating 70%. This is according to Oregon Public Broadcasting.The Oregonian reported that the state announced 138 COVID-19 new cases on Sunday. However, there were no new deaths.Insider has the original article.
