The news isn’t getting any better on the COVID-19 front.
On Dec. 30, Oregon reported 3,534 confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, bringing the state total to nearly 431,000 cases of COVID-19. It’s the largest single day total of COVID-19 cases reported since the start of the pandemic.
“We already have seen the impacts of the highly transmissible Omicron variant across the country since late December,” said Tom Jeanne, M.D., M.P.H., deputy state health officer and epidemiologist. “Our data show the Omicron variant is here and now fueling the surge in cases. It will likely lead to a rise in hospitalizations and, sadly, deaths.”
Jeanne added that Oregon Health Authority (OHA) urges everyone in Oregon to get vaccinated and, when they’re able, to get a booster shot to protect themselves against serious illness and death from COVID-19. OHA also encourages everyone to continue wearing masks and get tested if they have COVID-19 symptoms or are exposed to someone with COVID-19.
