CORONAVIRUS

Oregon Health Authority Director Patrick Allen returns to work after weeks of recovery

Patrick Allen, the director of the Oregon Health Authority, returned to duty this week after a long absence. The agency declined to respond to requests for more information. He was working at his home in Sherwood throughout much of the pandemic. It’s not clear whether he is continuing to work[Read More…]

Oregon, California, Washington will lift most mask mandates on March 12

In a surprise move, Gov. Kate Brown said Monday that Oregon, Washington and California will jointly lift their indoor mask mandate on March 12. Masks will no longer be required in schools but state officials will recommend they still be used, according to a news release. The joint announcement reflects[Read More…]

Peak of omicron hospitalizations and cases in Oregon is over, forecast says

The surge of people hospitalized or infected with omicron is over, according to the latest forecast from Oregon Health & Science University. The forecast, which influences the policy of the Oregon Health Authority, indicates that Oregon reached its peak, and the number of Oregonians infected or hospitalized has started to[Read More…]

Oregon Health Authority Director Patrick Allen hospitalized after fall

The director of the agency tasked with leading the state’s coronavirus response was hospitalized Sunday morning after a fall the Oregon Health Authority described as “serious.”  OHA Director Patrick Allen is currently undergoing evaluation for subsequent heart issues, the OHA said in a press release Tuesday, and is expected to[Read More…]

Oregon soon could be on the mend from the pandemic with an expected drop in cases, officials say

Oregon’s short-term Covid-19 outlook remains bleak, Oregon’s lead epidemiologist said Friday, with hospitals nearing a peak in the demand for hospital beds and case counts skyrocketing. But after that, the situation could improve, according to Dr. Dean Sidelinger, the state epidemiologist. “The omicron variant continues to cut a destructive swath[Read More…]

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