Governor Kate Brown extended Oregon’s state of emergency declaration last Tuesday in preparation for the “impending” surge in Omicron COVID-19 cases, the governor said in a press release. The emergency declaration will help provide resources to the state including SERV-OR volunteer medical providers, access to federal disaster relief funding and flexibility around professional health licensing. She also encouraged Oregonians to get vaccinated, including booster doses, and to wear masks.
“As Oregon prepares for what could be our worst surge in hospitalizations during this pandemic, I know that this is not the beginning of the new year any of us had hoped for,” Governor Brown said. “Your actions have saved lives, and it is because we have worked together to keep each other safe that Oregon still has some of the lowest infection and mortality rates in the nation. Please, do your part again get vaccinated, get your booster shot, and wear a mask.”
In responding to the subsequent Delta surge of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the governor for the most part did not use her executive authority to issue new emergency orders. She did take other steps, such as activating the Oregon National Guard to help support hospital workers, and coordinating with the Oregon Health Authority to bring skilled healthcare workers to Oregon to support hospital and long-term care facility staff.
The state of emergency declaration does provide her with flexibility around activating medical and other resources, she said. The order remains in effect until June 30 unless rescinded or modified.
