Oregon COVID-19 State Of Emergency Extended By Governor Brown

PORTLAND, OR — In case you didn't already think that COVID-19 has forced everyone to live a kind of Groundhog's Day existence, Governor Brown looked at the forecasts this morning and decided on another six months of state of emergency. She made the announcement at a news conference on Tuesday.

The decision to extend the state of emergency came on the heels of forecasts that Oregon will soon be overrun by the omicron variant, which has already surpassed delta as the primary one in the United States.

"As Oregon prepares for what could be our worst surge in hospitalizations during this pandemic, I know that this is not the beginning of the new year any of us had hoped for," she said.

She pointed out that Oregon. has some of the lowest infection and mortality rates in the country because many people have taken safety precautions.

"Please do your part again," she added. "Get your booster shot and wear a mask."

The executive order will stay in effect through June 30, 2022 though the governor's office sayid that if conditions improve, it could be rescinded or modified earlier.

The state of emergency makes it easier for people to apply for things like enhanced SNAP benefits and for the state to apply for federal disaster relief funds.