Mandate Begins Friday; Hospital Dealing with Bed Shortages; Another COVID Case; Special Weather Statement

Mandate Begins Friday

Governor Kate Brown says that due to the extreme amount of COVID-19 cases she is mandating the use of masks in all indoor public settings beginning this Friday.  Brown says the hospital systems are almost maxed out with COVID patients and some hospitals are even nearing capacity in their Intensive Care Units.  Brown says the mandate will save lives and it will also show support for the frontline workers.

“Masks show our support for doctors and nurses who are working so incredibly hard right now.”

Governor Brown says she knows how tired the populace is of having to wear masks, but it is essential in protecting others, vaccinated or not.

“The latest science is clear that both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals are able to spread the Delta Variant.”

Brown says currently that the overwhelming majority of patients in hospitals and ICU’s are unvaccinated.  Numbers of infectious individual are rising at surprising rates.  Tuesday’s one day total of over 2,000 individuals was the most since the beginning of the pandemic, according to brown.

Hospital Dealing with Bed Shortages

Dr. Heather McArthur, chief Medical officer with peace Harbor Medical center says the growing number of COVID-19 cases are leading to difficulties for patients with severe medical conditions.  She says it is becoming difficult to find a place to put them.

“The other side that has been very concerning for us is those that have other illnesses, heart attacks, stroke, severe illnesses, Heart failure, we are having to look for beds for them all around the state.”

Dr. McArthur says it is very disconcerting when a local patient has to be transported to Portland or Roseburg, or even out of the state for care.  She added that severe staff shortages are also making it difficult on everyone.

Another COVID Case

Florence added another COVID-19 case yesterday bringing the total to 356 individuals since the beginning of the pandemic, in addition Lane County added 144 and the state reported 1,991 new cases as the Oregon Health Authority reports another 40% increase in cases over the previous week.  The number of hospitals beds dedicated to patients also rose by 30 and there are 172 individuals now in the ICU across the state.  According to the OHA weekly report is the 5th straight week with increases and in just the past week hospitalizations rose 40%

Special Weather Statement

With a high heat advisory in Mapleton and in the valley the national weather service was prompted to issue a special weather statement reminding individuals that do not live on the coast of the potential dangers the coast offers such as rip currents and cold water.  Hot weather is expected to continue through Saturday and the excessive heat warning remains in effect until then for the valley and for Mapleton.  In addition the air quality alert has been extended until tomorrow afternoon.