covid

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Valerie Villegas holds a photograph of her late husband, Robert Villegas, along with her children Alexis Vaiz, Nicholas, Robert Jr., Ayden and Andrew Vaiz outside their Portland, Texas, home./Scott Stephen Ball/KHN

Thousands Of Children Who Lost Parents To COVID Need Help

Grief groups and therapists grew scarce during the pandemic as waiting lists swelled, often leaving bereft children and their surviving parents to cope on their own.

Jun 23, 2021

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Polk County Moves to Lower COVID-19 Risk Level

In this latest announcement by Gov. Kate Brown, which is likely to be the last one on risk levels, Jefferson, Klamath, and Marion move down to moderate risk.

Jun 22, 2021

Long-Term Care Facilities Fail To Meet COVID-19 Vaccination Target

A state report says the facilities had a staff vaccination rate of 62% in May and that 84% of long-term care residents were inoculated.

Jun 22, 2021
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FRITZ LIEDTKE/OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY

Not All Experts Are Ready to Vaccinate Kids Against COVID

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is set to meet on Friday to discuss whether rare instances of a heart disorder merit changing its recommendations for vaccinating teenagers with the Pfizer vaccine.

Jun 17, 2021

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A health care worker unpacks the Pfizer vaccine at Oregon Health & Science University. | OHSU

In Latest Risk Level Shuffle: Polk County Nears 65% Vaccination Rate

Jackson County will move down to moderate risk, with Polk County set to move to lower risk in the governor’s COVID-19 framework.

Jun 15, 2021

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MIKA BAUMEISTER/UNSPLASH

Being Vaccinated Doesn’t Mean You Must Go Maskless

It's not clear how long the vaccines’ protection will last, but it is increasingly clear that being vaccinated reduces the risk of infecting others.

Jun 15, 2021

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon Health Authority, Medicaid Insurers Haggle Over Vaccination Incentive Money

Facing pressure from coordinated care organizations, the health authority reduces its COVID-19 vaccination-rate goals for Medicaid members.

Jun 14, 2021
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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

Gov. Brown Defends Plan To Lift Mask Mandate

Although masks do provide some protection to the wearer, they are much better at preventing someone from spreading disease than they are at preventing someone from contracting it.

Jun 14, 2021

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Boeing Rejected Air Purifiers Like Those Widely Used In Schools

The company tested two kinds of technologies used in schools to combat germs and found that neither was effective enough to install on its commercial planes.

Jun 14, 2021

Clackamas Is Next County To Enter Lower Risk Category

State officials still expect Oregon to reach a 70% vaccination rate for adults by the end of June.

Jun 11, 2021