Dec. 31, 2020
2020 has been a challenging year. We’ve faced a devastating pandemic that has touched every aspect of our lives. Planning for the future has felt difficult because the only thing that’s seemed certain this year is uncertainty.
But not everything is beyond our control, and the continued rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine gives hope that the virus will be eradicated. If you’d like to take that dose of optimism and set some goals, here are some ideas for healthy resolutions for 2021:
If a person who smokes or used to smoke gets COVID-19, they are more likely to develop a serious case of the virus than someone who does not smoke. Free resources to help you quit smoking or vaping are available to everyone in Oregon. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit quitnow.net/Oregon for information in English. For Spanish speakers, call 1-800-DEJALO-YA or visit quitnow.net/mve/quitnow and select Español. SmokefreeUS also has information on smoking and COVID-19.
Sign up for health insurance
Get your new year off to a healthy start by signing up for health insurance. You can sign up for the Oregon Health Plan any time, and there are no premiums. The best way to find out if you qualify is to apply at ONE.Oregon.gov.
Support your mental health
It’s OK if you’re not OK. If you need someone to talk to, you can call the Safe + Strong Helpline at 800-923-4357 (800-923-HELP). The line offers free, 24-7 emotional support and resource referral to anyone who needs it – not only those experiencing a mental health crisis. More resources are available on the Safe + Strong mental and emotional health page.
It’s not too late to get a flu shot. Since COVID-19 and flu could spread at the same time this winter, it’s important to get a flu vaccine to protect against flu illness and serious flu complications, such as lasting conditions getting worse or pneumonia. Find a flu vaccinator near you at vaccinefinder.org. And when it’s your turn, resolve to get a COVID-19 vaccine. As the rollout continues, we will keep you up to date.
While we wait for enough Oregonians to be vaccinated so we can achieve community immunity, keep doing what you’ve been doing to prevent the spread of the virus: Wear a face covering, keep gatherings small and wash hands frequently.
As the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine continues across the state and the nation, you are likely wondering when you will be able to get vaccinated.
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Group 1: hospitals; urgent care; skilled nursing and memory care facility health care personnel (HCP) and residents; tribal health programs; emergency medical service providers and other first responders
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Group 2: other long-term care facilities and congregate care sites including HCP and residents; hospice programs; mobile crisis care and related services; secure transport; individuals working in a correctional setting
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Group 3: outpatient settings serving specific high-risk groups; in-home care; day treatment services; non-emergency medical transport (NEMT)
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Group 4: HCP in other outpatient, public health and early learning settings; death care workers
OHA has released a frequently asked questions document with more details about the prioritization groups. OHA is working with Local Public Health Authorities (LPHAs), hospitals and other community partners on plans to ensure that every person included in Phase 1a and in future phases knows where and when they can get vaccinated. As these plans are finalized, they will be shared with the public. Keep up to date at covidvaccine.oregon.gov.
What happens after Phase 1a? The 27 members of Oregon’s Vaccine Advisory Committee were announced today, and this group will advise OHA on sequencing for Phases 1b and 1c and Phase 2, with the goal of prioritizing communities most affected by COVID-19. To see the list of members of the committee and learn more, read the press release.
Yesterday, we ran a “Vaccine Voices” article about a vaccination clinic at Oregon State Hospital. We wanted to clarify that, at this time, vaccinations are available to Oregon State Hospital staff and patients, not to the general public.
COVID-19 has claimed nine more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 1,477, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.
OHA also reported 1,682 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 113,909.
Vaccinations in Oregon: OHA is providing weekday updates on administered doses of COVID-19 vaccines in Oregon on its vaccination data dashboard.
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As of yesterday, 5,188 doses of vaccine were administered, raising the state’s total number of first vaccine doses to 38,698. All vaccinations occurred at Oregon hospitals, long-term care facilities, emergency medical service (EMS) agencies, urgent care facilities and Local Public Health Authorities (LPHAs).
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To date, 187,575 doses of vaccine have been delivered to sites across Oregon.
COVID-19 hospitalizations: The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 488, 33 fewer than yesterday. There are 106 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, four fewer than yesterday. The total number of patients in hospital beds may fluctuate between report times. The numbers do not reflect admissions per day, nor the length of hospital stay. Staffing limitations are not captured in this data and may further limit bed capacity. More information about hospital capacity can be found here.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (12), Benton (22), Clackamas (140), Clatsop (4), Columbia (9), Coos (9), Crook (6), Curry (1), Deschutes (68), Douglas (21), Harney (3), Hood River (16), Jackson (103), Jefferson (32), Josephine (29), Klamath (34), Lake (2), Lane (120), Lincoln (11), Linn (56), Malheur (33), Marion (188), Morrow (10), Multnomah (336), Polk (39), Tillamook (5), Umatilla (144), Union (3), Wasco (11), Washington (184) and Yamhill (31).
Oregon’s 1,469th COVID-19 death is an 82-year-old man in Multnomah County who tested positive on Dec. 4 and died on Dec. 13 at his residence. He had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 1,470th COVID-19 death is an 88-year-old woman in Multnomah County who tested positive on Dec. 4 and died on Dec. 12 at her residence. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.
Oregon’s 1,471st COVID-19 death is a 72-year-old man in Douglas County who tested positive on Nov. 20 and died on Dec. 29. Place of death and presence of underlying conditions are being confirmed.
Oregon’s 1,472nd COVID-19 death is an 80-year-old woman in Klamath County who tested positive on Dec. 2 and died on Dec. 21 at Sky Lakes Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 1,473rd COVID-19 death is a 62-year-old woman in Klamath County who tested positive on Dec. 22 and died on Dec. 26 at Sky Lakes Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 1,474th COVID-19 death is a 64-year-old man in Marion County who tested positive on Dec. 23 and died on Dec. 29 at Salem Hospital. He had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 1,475th COVID-19 death is a 71-year-old woman in Marion County who tested positive on Dec. 14 and died on Dec. 30 at Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 1,476th COVID-19 death is a 66-year-old man in Umatilla County who tested positive on Dec. 10 and died on Dec. 25 at Good Shepherd Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 1,477th COVID-19 death is an 82-year-old woman in Jackson County who tested positive on Nov. 10 and died on Dec. 30 at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.
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