Public Health

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State health officials are racing to win federal approval of Oregon Health Plan changes before Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, shown at the Oregon Convention Center vaccination site, leaves office. | KRISTYNA WENTZ-GRAFF/OPB

Oregon Officials Wind Down COVID-19-Related Orders 

Oregon will end mask requirements on March 19 and lift COVID-19 emergency declaration on April 1.

Feb 24, 2022
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Becky Hultberg, CEO of the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems, said Thursday hospitals are straining under state mandates/Zoom

As Omicron Peak Nears, Hospitals Say Hundreds More Beds Should Be Vacant

Oregon hospitals urge lawmakers to refrain from new mandates, saying they’re nearing capacity because they can’t discharge patients like they normally do.

Jan 20, 2022

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Q&A: OHSU Economist Shares How He Tackles The Uncertainty Of Omicron

Despite early fluctuations in omicron forecasts, Oregon’s top modeler, Peter Graven, says the models are getting “closer to the truth.”

Jan 6, 2022
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PIXABAY

Former Laboratory Technician Claims He Was Fired For Blowing Whistle

The lawsuit claims a former Corvallis COVID testing worker’s safety complaints, including the lab CEO wearing shorts and sandals in the lab, got him canned.

Jan 4, 2022
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3D rendering of the omicron variant of COVID-19. | SHUTTERSTOCK

Health Care Workers Brace For The Worst As Omicron Projections Change

Though an Oregon omicron forecast has improved, the impact on hospitals still could exceed the pandemic’s worst point.

Dec 28, 2021
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PHOTO COURTESY OF DREAMSTIME/PAMPLIN MEDIA GROUP

As Omicron Threatens To Overwhelm Oregon Hospitals, Officials Push Boosters

A projected surge from the omicron variant of COVID-19 represents “dire” news for Oregon hospitals, patients and health care workers.

Dec 17, 2021

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SHUTTERSTOCK

What Long COVID Looks Like And How Oregon Doctors Are Treating It

The symptoms of long COVID most often include fatigue, shortness of breath and brain fog, and treatments are symptom-focused, experts say.

Nov 9, 2021
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SHUTTERSTOCK

As Pandemic Abates, Challenges Will Persist In Health Care Industry

State lawmakers and health care industry experts say the future includes workforce and capacity challenges for Oregon — even after COVID-19 fades.

Oct 27, 2021
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OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY

Panel: Planning Key To COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement For Oregon Health Care Workers

The health care industry deals with anti-vaccine workers while looking ahead to booster shots and future COVID-19 waves.

Oct 26, 2021
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The Oregon Health Authority in Salem. | OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Oregon: Lawsuit Against Vaccine Requirement Is Based on ‘Internet Conspiracy Theories’ 

COVID-19 vaccine requirement for health care and state employment is not coercion, state says in response to lawsuit filed in federal court.

Oct 18, 2021
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