Questions are answered by experts at OHA and other state agencies or community partners.
Q: I and many of my friends are in our mid-70s to almost 80, and some have various other risks for hospitalization due to COVID. We are told that people over 75 are at high risk often due to health conditions like hypertension, obesity, cancer and lung diseases. But as COVID is now with us forever, how do we evaluate our individual risk? Clearly, being treated for cancer is a very high risk but what about being a survivor? Severe COPD, again, likely a very high risk but what about simple asthma? We all get the vaccines, avoid crowds, mask in public places, etc. But one can of course pick up COVID from being with just one other person, so unless we live in isolation we will always be at risk. We are told to ask our doctors, but our doctors tell us the same thing the CDC says -- things that we are already doing. We can't avoid risk completely, but it would be so helpful to have a tool to understand our risk. Thank you. – Ruth, Hillsboro
A: Ruth, first of all thank you for all you and your friends are doing to reduce COVID-19 spread and protect yourselves and each other. As you noted, COVID-19 risk is a moving target from one person to the next, and each of us will typically decide to take actions based on our individual risk, then factor in the risk of those around us, based on spread in the community. Yes, there are varying levels of risk for complications. Older age is one big predictor. Having multiple chronic conditions can certainly raise your risk. People might have varying degrees of immunocompromise – certainly active treatment for cancer is certainly higher on the list than being in remission and not receiving active treatment.
But for all people we continue to recommend the same basic measures that have been successful in preventing severe illness throughout the pandemic. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 remains the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones. Stay home if you are sick – until you feel better, cover your coughs and wash your hands often.
Those at increased risk of severe disease, however, should also consider masking indoors around other people when transmission is high, and plan ahead to get tested should they develop symptoms of either COVID-19 or the flu (which present similarly). If they test positive for either, we recommend asking their health care provider about getting antiviral medication, which is available for both viruses. Although it is not necessary to test positive for COVID-19 or the flu to qualify for antiviral medication, we recommend people speak with their health care provider in advance to understand how they would proceed should symptoms develop. The CDC offers this helpful checklist for making a COVID-19 plan.
Q: Does Oregon have COVID-19 vaccination records available for the public? – Paul, Portland
A: Yes! You can contact Oregon’s immunization registry—ALERT IIS—and ask for your records. When a health care professional vaccinates you, they are required to record that vaccination in the ALERT IIS database, and you can reach the ALERT IIS Help Desk at 800-980-9431 or via email at alertiis@odhsoha.oregon.gov.
If you have questions about health topics in Oregon, submit your question here. Although we are unable to answer every question, we try to address those of interest to a broad audience. Please understand that we are unable to provide specific medical advice for personal medical conditions.
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