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Cases are increasing rapidly and current forecasts predict that Oregon will have more than 1,000 COVID-19 patients hospitalized by Labor Day. It’s the worst case Oregonians worked so hard to avoid in March 2020 (Getty Images)
The latest data on the delta variant of COVID-19 and its predicted impact on Oregon is dire. By Labor Day, the OHSU predicts the state will run out of 400 to 500 hospital beds with the necessary staff. This means that some Oregonians will not be able to get hospital care for COVID-19 or any other condition.
Cases are increasing rapidly and current forecasts predict that Oregon will have more than 1,000 COVID-19 patients hospitalized by Labor Day. This is the worst-case scenario Oregonians worked so hard to avoid in March 2020.
That’s a shocking number, and one that has been checked repeatedly against other available data and the effects of the current surge seen in other states. Oregon is in a difficult position because we have the fewest number of hospital beds available per capita than anywhere else in the United States. Hospitals in Oregon are also experiencing severe burnout and a labor shortage simultaneously.
Therefore, unless Oregonians take immediate action, there will be no hospital bed available for many patients who need them for COVID-19 or other urgent issues like heart attacks, trauma and stroke.
Getting vaccinated is the best thing you can do to prevent serious illness from COVID-19. Although the vaccine is very effective against severe cases of COVID-19, we are starting to see an increasing number of breakthrough infections with the delta variant. This means that even some people who have been fully vaccinated can still be infected and pass the virus on to others, including those who are not vaccinated such as children under 12 and those with weakened immune systems.
To limit your risk of contracting the highly contagious COVID-19 delta variant and spreading the disease to your friends and neighbors, OHSU experts are asking unvaccinated adults to stay home and limit interactions with it as much as possible. the community.
In addition, vaccinated and unvaccinated people who need to interact with the community should follow at least two of these three precautions:
- Wear your mask inside in all public spaces or with people outside your home; Wear your mask outside where physical distancing is not possible.
- Limit gatherings and if you do gather, do so outside.
- Physical distancing where possible.
Additionally, the OHSU is asking Oregon residents to minimize their activities to reduce the need for hospital or emergency care in the event of an accident or other injury.
Oregonians have ‘flattened the curve’ before and that’s exactly what we need to do again as we deal with this growing increase in the delta variant of COVID-19. Vaccination is the backbone of protection and prevention. However, since the delta variant is very contagious, we also need to practice the principles of masking and physical distancing which have already been successful with other variants.
The OHSU is the state’s academic health center and serves as a critical access point for all Oregonians in need of complex treatment and we call on Oregonians to take action so that we can serve as many patients as possible. Your choices will make a difference in how many Oregonians get the care they need.
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