Gov. Kate Brown on Tuesday announced new coronavirus risk levels for counties across the state, shifting three additional counties on the coast and in eastern Oregon to the highest concern level.
The outbreak, infecting 49 staff members and patients, started Dec. 20 in a unit that treats patients who need ongoing, intense care for a stroke or brain injury, for example.
Legacy and OHSU throw out dozens of coronavirus doses but Patrick Allen, director of the health authority, said his agency knew of no wasted vaccines.
A top health official at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver said he doesn’t know how COVID-19 spread from one patient to another 29 people, including 18 additional patients.
Perhaps thousands of Oregonians who've been infected by the novel coronavirus struggle with sometimes debilitating symptoms like the inability to walk far months later.
The designation means that indoor dining is banned and certain indoor businesses, like gyms and theaters, must close and indoor religious services are capped at 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is smaller.
It’s not immediately clear when the first vaccinations will begin, although a spokesperson for the Oregon Health Authority suggested it may be Wednesday.
Nearly 60 employees have become infected since the pandemic began, with 11 patients testing positive since October.
More than 570 blood samples collected by the American Red Cross in Oregon between Dec. 13 to Dec. 16, had antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus.
With 25% of his hospital beds taken up by COVID-19 patients, the hospital system is converting more beds for these patients and deferring surgeries to make room.
