Omicron 'Tightens Grip On Oregon,' As Cases Again Near 10,000/Day

PORTLAND, OR — The Oregon Health Authority reported that the number of total cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday was 9,797. That's around 1,000 more than the day before.

"The omicron variant continues to tighten its grip on Oregon," Oregon Health Authority Director Patrick Allen said at a news conference on Thursday afternoon.

The increase in cases is also forcing schools to return to remote learning – at least on a temporary basis – as districts across the state deal with staff shortages and students calling out sick.

State Education Director, acknowledging "COVID fatigue," said that students and staff need to put that aside and accept increased safety measures such as masks and remote learning.

"We've asked a lot of our educators, of our students, and of our families," Gill said at the news conference. "The current surge is pushing a stressed system to its limits."

The omicron-driven surge of COVID-19 led to Governor Brown announcing Wednesday that she is deploying 1,200 National Guard members to help 40 hospitals throughout Oregon as they struggle.