Governor Kate Brown has extended the declaration of emergency for the state following a massive surge of the newest COVID-19 variant. In a press release issued on Tuesday, the state says it is working to implement new plans to prepare and respond to the overwhelming number of Omicron cases and hospitalizations.
The Oregon Health Authority reported 1,197 new confirmed and presumptive cases as of Wednesday, bringing the state total to 409,232.
Brown said, “As Oregon prepares for what could be our worst surge in hospitalizations during the pandemic, I know that is not the beginning of the new year any of us had hoped for.”
Executive Order 21-36 allows the state to access federal funding and benefits. This will remain in effect until June 30, 2022, unless it is rescinded earlier or extended for a longer period.
Brown emphasized the importance of vaccines and masking to help curb this recent spike in cases, saying, “Your actions have saved lives, and it is because we have worked together to keep each other safe that Oregon still has some of the lowest infection and mortality rates in the nation. Please, do your part again – get vaccinated, get your booster, and wear a mask.”
By: Jennifer Williams
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