Omicron devastates services, schools, travel as workers are sick or in quarantine
By Theresa Waldrop and Julia Jones, CNN As the Omicron variant sweeps the nation, it’s disrupting everything from garbage collection and…
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Home Covid-19 tests must be paid for by health insurers starting Saturday
By Tami Luhby and Katherine Dillinger, CNN Health insurers must cover the cost of home Covid-19 tests starting January 15, the US Department of…
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Oregon reports 18 more COVID-19 related deaths over weekend, 1 from Crook County; 18,538 new cases
There are 18 newly reported COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon from over the weekend, one from Crook County, raising the state’s death toll to…
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Oregon Capitol to be open to public during legislative session; committee hearings will be virtual
Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney and House Speaker Tina Kotek announced Monday that the Oregon Capitol will be open to visitors who follow…
Continue ReadingHome COVID tests to be covered by insurers starting Saturday
By ZEKE MILLER Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Starting Saturday, private health insurers will be required to cover up to eight home COVID-19…
Continue ReadingUS coronavirus surge could peak later this month, expert says, but the next few weeks are critical
CNN By Susannah Cullinane, CNN The current Covid-19 surge in the US, fueled by the Omicron variant, could peak later this month — but the next…
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Bend-La Pine Schools advise parents: Remote learning may return, due to COVID-19 spike
Facing a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases that have more staff in isolation, Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook warned families Friday night…
Continue ReadingNearly a quarter of hospitals are reporting a critical staff shortage as Omicron drives a rise in Covid-19 cases
CNN, WCBS, WABC, WGCL, DEFENSE DEPARTMENT, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS HE, GETTY IMAGES, FDA By Dakin Andone and Susannah Cullinane, CNN About 24% of US…
Continue ReadingChicago Public Schools cancels classes for fourth consecutive day
By Omar Jimenez, Keith Allen, Dakin Andone and Amir Vera, CNN Classes in Chicago will be canceled again Monday, making it the fourth consecutive day…
Continue ReadingSnow leopard dies at Illinois zoo after contracting Covid-19
By Sana Noor Haq, CNN A snow leopard has died after contracting Covid-19 at Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington, Illinois. Rilu, an 11-year-old snow…
Continue ReadingStates are scrambling to keep up with an increase in Covid-19 hospitalizations and the demand for testing
By Travis Caldwell, CNN As a Covid-19 testing shortage compounds a burgeoning crisis of new hospitalizations, more states are racing to help…
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Oregon COVID-19 spike tops 10,400 daily cases; 33 more deaths, 6 from Deschutes County
There are 33 newly reported COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 5,761, including six from Deschutes County — and…
Continue ReadingFDA warns against using throat swabs for home Covid-19 tests
By Jamie Gumbrecht, Naomi Thomas and Jen Christensen, CNN The US Food and Drug Administration is cautioning against using self-collected throat swabs…
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Gov. Brown calls up National Guard; OHA issues ‘interim triage tool’ for hospitals in COVID surge
Gov. Kate Brown announced Friday she will be deploying up to 500 Oregon National Guard members to support frontline health care workers as the state…
Continue ReadingSupreme Court appears poised to block Biden’s vaccine and testing rules for businesses
CNN By Ariane de Vogue, CNN Supreme Court Reporter The Supreme Court’s conservative majority on Friday appeared ready to reject one of…
Continue Reading‘Excessive’ COVID absences force school closures in Portland
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Three schools in Portland, Oregon, were closed on Friday due to staffing shortages and “excessive” absences caused by…
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Western States Safety Review Workgroup expands booster use for 12- to 15-year-olds
The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup on Thursday completed its review of the federal process and recommended expanding…
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Another record: Oregon reports 7,615 new COVID-19 cases, nine more deaths
There are nine new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 5,728, along with another daily record of 7,615 cases amid…
Continue ReadingCOVID hospitalization surge pushes health systems to brink
SEATTLE (AP) — Hospital leaders, doctors and public health officials said Thursday a spike of COVID-19 hospitalizations is pushing health care…
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Deschutes County in ‘surge capacity’ for contact tracing, outlines advice for public
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County Health Services said Thursday it is responding to a high volume of COVID-19 cases. Due to the increase in new…
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