As the Omicron variant begins to drive case counts higher in Oregon, many more people need guidance and resources to ensure they and those around them stay safe. 

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has launched a new website that includes what to do if you test positive, if you have been exposed, and how to seek resources if you’re isolating at home and need support. Read on for more.  

High-volume vaccination sites throughout the state offer a free, convenient way to get vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. All three COVID-19 vaccines, boosters and pediatric doses are offered at these sites, and no insurance or appointments are required.  

Tomorrow, Thurs., Jan. 13, a new site will open in Washington County: 

• Langer’s, 21650 SW Langer Farms Pkwy, Sherwood 
• Outdoor drive-through clinic 
• Hours: Mondays through Saturdays, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Additional site updates: 

• The Wood Village site in Multnomah County will be closed on Thurs., Jan. 13, reopening Fri., Jan. 14 at 12 p.m.  
• Oregon Health Authority Warehouse in Marion County will be closed on Fri., Jan. 14, reopening at a new location Sat., Jan. 15, at the Oregon State Fair & Expo Center – Pavilion (see blog story for location details). 

Keep an eye on our regularly updated list of these sites and others throughout Oregon. 

OHA’s COVID-19 Weekly Report released today showed a record-smashing total of daily cases, surging hospitalizations, a sharp rise in deaths and a staggering percent positivity. 

OHA reported 47,272 new cases of COVID-19 during the week of Monday, Jan 3, through Sunday, Jan. 9 – six times higher than two weeks ago and three times higher than the previous pandemic record for weekly cases. 

There were 486 new COVID-19-related hospitalizations, compared to 290 last week – a 68% increase. There were 113 reported COVID-19-related deaths, up from 89 last week. 

Reported test results jumped by 89% from 136,474 to 258,574. This represents a new pandemic high. The percentage of positive tests increased from 15.7% to 21%. 

Today’s COVID-19 Weekly Outbreak Report shows 128 active COVID-19 outbreaks in senior living communities and congregate living settings, with three or more confirmed cases and one or more COVID-19-related deaths. 

We want to keep you informed about COVID-19 in Oregon. Data are provisional and change frequently. 

• Samples for 665,593 tests have been reported positive. 

• Samples for 8,438,583 tests have been reported negative. 

More Oregonians receive COVID-19 booster doses 

Oregon continues to move closer to meeting Gov. Kate Brown’s goal, announced Dec. 17, of getting 1 million more people in the state a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by the end of January. 

When the challenge began, 949,749 people had received a booster dose. Since then, 323,130 Oregonians have received a booster. 

As of today, Oregon needs 676,870 people to get a booster to reach the goal and make our state safer from the Omicron variant. Find a booster here. 

Consider alternatives for non-urgent health issues 

With a record number of cases recorded and the spread of the Omicron variant statewide, Oregonians are being asked to ease the burden on health systems and emergency rooms. If you are looking for non-emergency COVID-19 treatment, please call your doctor or an urgent care clinic. Not sure who to call? Start with 211. You can find a test here. 

COVID-19 hospitalizations 

The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 756, which is 29 more than yesterday. There are 146 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is eight more than yesterday. 

There are 34 available adult ICU beds out of 653 total (5% availability) and 262 available adult non-ICU beds out of 4,135 (6% availability). 

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. 

Vaccinations in Oregon 

Today, OHA reported that 20,149 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations were added to the state immunization registry Jan. 11. Of that total, 1,703 were initial doses, 1,192 were second doses and 7,419 were third doses and booster doses. The remaining 9,196 were administered on previous days but were entered into the vaccine registry Jan. 11. 

The seven-day running average is now 15,532 doses per day. 

Oregon has now administered 3,892,158 doses of Pfizer Comirnaty, 183,707 doses of Pfizer pediatric, 2,564,949 doses of Moderna and 259,593 doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines. 

As of today, 3,080,739 people have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 2,793,941 people have completed a COVID-19 vaccine series. 

These data are preliminary and subject to change. 

Updated vaccination data are provided on Oregon’s COVID-19 data dashboards and have been updated today. 

Cases and deaths 

There are 31 new COVID-19-related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 5,845, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reported at 12:01 a.m. today. 

OHA reported 8,760 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 494,945. 

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (30), Benton (321), Clackamas (820), Clatsop (45), Columbia (50), Coos (244), Crook (53), Curry (31), Deschutes (737), Douglas (155), Gilliam (6), Harney (2), Hood River (39), Jackson (375), Jefferson (110), Josephine (158), Klamath (70), Lake (3), Lane (678), Lincoln (209), Linn (313), Malheur (45), Marion (801), Morrow (21), Multnomah (1,454), Polk (213), Sherman (7), Tillamook (33), Umatilla (325), Union (38), Wallowa (13), Wasco (37), Washington (1,158), Wheeler (12) and Yamhill (154).