covid

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Bounties And Bonuses Leave Small Hospitals Behind In Staffing Wars

With no end to the staffing crisis in sight, hospitals have taken to enticing workers from other facilities to fulfill needs, using hefty bonuses.

Feb 8, 2022

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The University of Oregon's Lillis School of Business. | JOSHUA RAINEY PHOTOGRAPHY/SHUTTERSTOCK

University of Oregon's COVID Support Program To Expand Statewide

The Oregon Public Health Corps will contact trace and support people in isolation, and is hoped to reinvigorate the public health system.

Feb 8, 2022

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Salem Health clinical nurse Heather Gatchet says calling her mom before her morning shift at Salem Health hospital is part of her regular routine. /Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB

At Oregon’s Salem Health, The Doctor Will See You Now — In The Hallway

The omicron variant is less severe, but Oregon’s health system is as fragile as ever.

Feb 3, 2022

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DR. DEAN SIDELINGER, OREGON’S STATE EPIDEMIOLOGIST, AT A JAN. 28, 2022 PRESS CONFERENCE./YOUTUBE

Omicron Cases Appear To Flatten As Demand For Hospital Beds Grows

The state’s epidemiologist said Friday that the state will be filing permanent mask and vaccination rules in the next few weeks.

Jan 29, 2022

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COURTESY OF OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY

CDC Tells Pharmacies To Give 4th COVID Shots To Immunocompromised Patients

After eligible people were being turned away from pharmacies, the health agency reiterated its recommendation.

Jan 27, 2022

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Pharmacies Turn Away Immunocompromised Patients Seeking 4th COVID Shot

Patients with weakened immune systems, who are at high risk from COVID-19, say pharmacies are turning them away when they seek additional vaccine doses recommended by federal health officials.

Jan 25, 2022

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A sign at Hillsboro Online Academy asks people entering the building to wear masks. / Elizabeth Miller / OPB

Oregon Health Authority Hears More Testimony Against Extending Mask Mandates

In two more hearings Monday, state officials heard criticism of a ‘permanent rule’ that they promise will be rescinded when pandemic conditions improve.

Jan 25, 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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COVID-19 TESTS./HANNAH NORMAN/KAISER HEALTH NEWS

Households Can Sign Up For Free COVID-19 Tests

The Biden administration’s effort to distribute free COVID-19 tests nationwide was supposed to start Wednesday, but the government began taking orders on Tuesday.

Jan 20, 2022

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Covid-19 testing tents located across New York City./ELISABETH ROSENTHAL / KHN

Officials Struggle To Regulate Pop-Up COVID Testing Sites — And Warn Patients To Beware

Mobile COVID-19 testing tents and vans have sprouted on urban sidewalks and street curbs, sparking concerns about risks.

Jan 20, 2022