Oregon Health Authority stresses though COVID-19 cases are ‘coming down,’ there’s still need for vaccinations – KGW.com

PORTLAND, Ore. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) eyes easing its five-day isolation policy for those who test positive for COVID-19, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) had already adopted that practice in May 2023.

The OHA's policy is that someone with COVID-19 doesnt need to stay home for five days.

"Were seeing a lot less severe disease than we had early on in the pandemic, given the amount of people who are vaccinated already, have recovered from COVID-19 or both and had some level of immunity," said Dr. Dean Sidelinger, Oregon's state epidemiologist. "So that is what contributed to our decision back in May."

OHA recommends people now look at symptoms to determine when it is time to stop isolating. With the new approach, the agency said people don't need to stay home if they are fever-free for 24 hours without medication and have mild or improving symptoms.

"COVID can be unpredictable, but so far, we are seeing a slow steady decline," Sidelinger said. "Our vaccines work to protect people from the variants that have emerged over the past couple of years. COVID is coming down, influenza is coming down and RSV is coming down."

As of February, emergency room visits, hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 are down, according to the latest CDC data.

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To keep this immunity up, OHA said it is important for people to stay up to date on vaccinations, especially when it comes to kids in school.

On Saturday, Multnomah County held a free catch-up clinic for children still needing their immunizations at David Douglas High School. If they dont meet this requirement by Feb. 21, they will be turned away from all schools or daycares.

"We want to make sure that our communities are protected," said Richard Bruno, the Multnomah County Public Health Officer. "We want to have very low-barrier access to vaccines that are needed. We dont check for insurance and have a great supply of vaccines available for anybody who needs it."

For parents who missed Saturday's clinic, they still have another chance to get their children up to date on vaccines. On Feb. 21, Multnomah County will hold its final immunization clinic with CareOregon Boys & Girls Club in Rockwood from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Meanwhile, the CDC is still recommending that people who test positive for COVID-19 stay home for at least five days and isolate themselves from others in their home. People should also wear a high-quality mask if they have to be around others in their home during the isolation period, according to current guidelines.

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Oregon Health Authority stresses though COVID-19 cases are 'coming down,' there's still need for vaccinations - KGW.com