News & Stories for Oregonians
There is some confusion about the new name for the COVID-19 vaccine produced by Pfizer-BioNTech. Here’s what the Pfizer-BioNTech company website says about the name: “Comirnaty is the new name for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Once a drug or other intervention receives FDA approval the manufacturer typically gives it a brand name, and Comirnaty is […]
Getting tested for COVID-19 might feel scary to some children. As parents or guardians, we want to make it as easy as possible for them. Preparing our kids for a COVID-19 test ahead of time can help make it less uncomfortable. You know your kids best and you know what works for them. Think ahead […]
On Thursday, Aug. 21, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a Health Alert Network advisory warning that people should not use Ivermectin to treat or prevent COVID-19. While Ivermectin is FDA-approved to treat certain infections caused by parasites, it has not been proven to prevent or treat COVID-19. You can learn about the […]
As we see an increase in cases and hospitalizations, many of us may be remembering how we have flattened the curve when our hospitals and health care systems were threatened in the past. Let’s recommit to taking steps to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our communities. We can rise to the challenge. Get vaccinated […]
On Aug. 25, Oregon Secretary of State posted the new vaccination rules for health care and K–12 employees in Oregon. Here’s what you need to know. COVID-19 vaccination requirement for healthcare providers and healthcare staff in healthcare settings In response to the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant, Governor Brown and OHA officials determined […]
Check out a new video featuring mother and pediatrician Dr. Julia Paz, where she shares her journey about choosing to get her son vaccinated. Dr. Paz also reinforces the importance of talking to your health care provider or other trusted sources to get your questions answered. This article first appeared in the Aug. 25, 2021 issue of […]
Getting diagnosed with COVID-19 can be scary. However, in addition to the safe and effective vaccines, we now have more treatments available that can reduce the severity of COVID-19 in those who have become infected. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatments have the potential to save lives and relieve the burden on Oregon’s health care system and […]
Today, Governor Kate Brown announced that Oregon had finalized contracts with the medical staffing companies Jogan Health Solutions and AMN Healthcare to deploy much needed health care personnel to health care facilities managing the ongoing surge of COVID-19 patients. “The deployment of crisis response teams should provide some welcome relief to our hospitals, particularly in […]
On Aug. 13, Governor Kate Brown and Oregon Health Authority leaders enacted an indoor masking mandate in response to surging COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Today, Governor Brown announced a new rule would extend that mask requirement to outside areas. “The Delta variant is spreading fast and wide, throwing our state into a level of crisis […]
On Thursday, Aug. 19, Dr. Jeff Absalon, Chief Physician Executive for St. Charles Hospital in Bend, spoke about the crisis facing health systems and hospitals due to the COVID-19 surge. Soon after they lost a patient to COVID-19, Dr. Absalon arrived at the St. Charles Hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in Bend. “Our nurses had […]
