Governor Brown recommends mask mandate for K–12 schools

Aug. 6, 2021 update: The K–12 face covering rule has been posted here. Earlier this week, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) released a new set of recommendations to encourage all people in Oregon — regardless of vaccination status — to wear a mask in indoor, public places. The recommendation came in response to the Centers […]

OHA recommends universal mask use for all public indoor settings

In response to a large jump in cases and hospitalizations and new national guidance calling for masking measures to prevent the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant, OHA is now recommending universal mask use in public indoor settings throughout the state to protect Oregonians from COVID-19.  “Today’s reported sharp rise in cases and hospitalizations in […]

Vaccine Conversations: Dr. Shimi Sharief weighs in on the Delta variant

We continue to see questions surfacing online about the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) and its effect on the COVID-19 situation in Oregon. To get some answers to those questions, we sat down with OHA Senior Health Advisor Dr. Shimi Sharief to dive a little deeper into the matter. You can find a recording of the full interview, […]

OHA leadership discuss increase in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Director Patrick Allen was joined by State Public Health Officer and Epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger to discuss Oregon’s recent increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in a public media briefing. Here’s what you need to know. Despite Oregon’s reopening, pandemic continues Director Allen began Thursday’s briefing with a reminder that — […]

Vaccine Voices: Salem mom says getting COVID-19 was not an option

Mary Hoeft says — in all honesty — she was slightly hesitant about getting the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine because she had heard of side effects such as fever, chills and low energy. Being low on energy is not an option for Hoeft, 42, who is a single mother of a 9-year-old child […]

With cases increasing in Oregon, consider taking precautions

You may be wondering why cases are increasing in Oregon. As we’ve seen across the world, cases caused by the Delta variant are spreading in unvaccinated communities.   Here’s what you need to know about the spread of COVID-19:  Vaccination remains the safest and most effective way to prevent serious illness from COVID-19 and all of its variants.  If […]

Oregon’s reopening: Questions answered in Facebook Live

Note: On July 27, 2021, in response to a large jump in cases and hospitalizations and new national guidance calling for masking measures to prevent the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant, the Oregon Health Authority recommended universal mask use in public indoor settings throughout the state to protect Oregonians from COVID-19. You can […]

Updates on the Delta variant

There’s been talk in the news and online about the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant — what it is, where it has spread and whether it’s something to be concerned about. Here’s what you need to know. Delta variant defined The Delta variant is classified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a “variant […]

Wondering where COVID-19 cases are coming from? Experts answer

We’ve heard several questions lately about where COVID-19 cases are coming from, and if they’re a result of breakthrough cases. On Wednesday, June 23, State Epidemiologist and Health Officer Dr. Dean Sidelinger and Sky Lakes Medical Center Chief of Medical Staff Dr. Robert Jackman provided answers.   Here are the timestamps for each question:  7:19 – Are you tracking which vaccine the breakthrough […]