According to projections, the omicron variant is predicted to cause a significant spike in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations beginning mid-January. In a joint statement, Oregon’s hospital systems warn of the impending surge and ask communities for help.
While omicron may cause a less severe illness, it’s way more transmissible. And more sick people mean a greater impact on health care resources.
Hospitalizations are expected to increase by two to three times what was seen during the September peak—which was driven by the delta variant. That’s from a high of 1,200 patients in hospitals in early fall to 2,000 to 3,000 hospitalizations from omicron in January and February.
Physicians representing PeaceHealth, Kaiser Permanente, Legacy Health, Providence and Oregon Health and Science University signed the statement. PeaceHealth’s Dr. Doug (COOK-COOK) Koekkoek added his name. He said, “It’s not too late to make a difference. Please get fully vaccinated --including a booster. Boosters are critical because they restimulate the immune system and increase the number of antibodies. They also improve cellular mediated immunity.”
The statement also urges everyone to help by wearing masks and avoiding large indoor gatherings this holiday season.
On Tuesday, Governor Kate Brown again extended Oregon’s COVID-19 state of emergency. The emergency declaration continues to be necessary to provide flexibility and resources for the state’s COVID-19 response and recovery efforts, including access to all available federal disaster relief funds. Effective until June 2022 unless earlier rescinded or extended.
Read joint statement from regional hospitals:
December 21, 2021 - Current projections predict a significant spike in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations driven by the omicron variant beginning mid-January and likely peaking in February. Although omicron may cause a less severe illness, it is significantly more transmissible: the spike in hospitalizations is projected to two to three times the September peak driven by the delta variant – from a high of 1,200 patients in hospitals in September to 2,000 to 3,000 hospitalizations from omicron.
It is not too late to take action. Please do what you can to keep yourself, your family, your co-workers and your community safe. We are asking everyone to please get fully vaccinated, including a booster if eligible, wear masks, and avoid large indoor gatherings this holiday season.
Kaiser Permanente, Legacy Health, OHSU, PeaceHealth and Providence continue to do our part to address this public health crisis. We know our dedicated teams will once again do all they can to care for patients. But, after nearly two years of fighting this pandemic our nurses and doctors are exhausted. Clinical staff and hospital beds are in short supply in all of our hospitals. A significant increase in COVID-19 infection and hospitalizations in Oregon and Southwest Washington will create delays in emergency department care for some patients and additional delays for surgeries, due to the lack of an available staffed bed.
The omicron variant has been infecting some people who are already vaccinated. But the good news is people who are fully vaccinated and received a booster shot are less likely to be infected and much less likely to have a severe illness and hospitalization.
Again, if you haven’t been vaccinated and/or boosted, please do so now. Go to getvaccinated.oregon.gov for information. Each illness we prevent or reduce frees up health care resources for a loved one, friend or neighbor in need.
Doug Koekkoek, MD, CPE - PeaceHealth Richard DeCarlo, COO - PeaceHealth Wendy Watson, COO - Kaiser Permanente Mary Giswold, MD, CMO - Kaiser Permanente Trent Green, COO - Legacy Health Seth Podolsky, MD, CMO - Legacy Health Joe Ness, COO - OHSU Renee Edwards, MD, CMO - OHSU William Olson, COO - Providence Steve Freer, MD, CMO - Providence
