Public Health

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A critical care nurse at OHSU receives a vaccine during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. | COURTESY OHSU

Oregon health systems require some masking despite end of mandate

While masking protocols vary among providers, it’s still generally required around medically fragile patients

Apr 4, 2023
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The closure of Legacy's Mount Hood birth center was marked with a vigil on March 17, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon Health Authority denies Legacy’s request to close Gresham maternity unit

Health officials accused Legacy of creating a staffing problem and signaled the health system could face penalties for the closure

Mar 29, 2023
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GERD ALTMANN/PIXABAY

COVID, flu and RSV trends moving in right direction, state official says

Many hospitals remain near their capacity, but the Oregon Health Authority has signaled that if trends hold they’ll drop a pandemic-era requirement around masks. 

Feb 9, 2023

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OREGON HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN SALEM./PHOTOATELIER/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Bills seek $185 million for local public health and behavioral health workers

Despite previous funding approved by the Oregon Legislature, proponents say the spending is needed to shore up a workforce teetering on collapse. 

Feb 2, 2023
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FRITZ LIEDTKE/OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY

OHSU vaccine study suggests too-frequent COVID boosters unhelpful

Researchers say viral respiratory immune response is strongest from vaccination once a year.

Jan 26, 2023

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As respiratory illnesses cause increasing strain on hospitals in Oregon and Washington, PeaceHealth officials are telling people not to come to the emergency room at Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver if at all possible. | COURTESY OF PEACEHEALTH

PeaceHealth Officials Urge Patients To Avoid ER In Vancouver As Oregon Officials Issue New Alert

As hospitals in Oregon and Washington cope with a new capacity crisis fueled by respiratory illnesses, Oregon officials are urging new precautions.

Nov 23, 2022

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Health Official Wants Oregonians To Mask Up, Brace For Viruses

COVID-19 hospitalizations are expected to grow by about 50, adding to the state's ongoing hospital capacity crisis.

Nov 10, 2022
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Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek. | LYNN HOWLETT PHOTOGRAPHY

Election Results Rife With Implications for Oregonians' Health Care

Democrat Tina Kotek will be Oregon's next governor, her party is losing its supermajorities in Salem, and the ballot measure making health care a fundamental right has won.

Nov 9, 2022
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KIWIEV, CC0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Anti-Smoking Pill, Like Cigarettes, Contained Carcinogens, Suit Alleges

The lawsuit, filed in Portland, is related to a recall of Pfizer’s drug, Chantix.

Nov 8, 2022
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THE STATE'S DIGITAL VACCINE RECORD ALLOWS PEOPLE TO SCAN A QR CODE TO DOWNLOAD PROOF OF VACCINATION./SCREENSHOT OF OHA INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO

Oregon’s Digital Vaccine Card System Isn’t Working Right

The state’s system doesn’t show the bivalent booster for those who’ve had the first four shots.

Oct 25, 2022
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