Providence Portland, OHA Together Open Special COVID-19 Clinic

PORTLAND, OR — All the forecasts about the omicron-driven surge of COVID-19 in Oregon have pretty much come to the same conclusion: we have likely reached the peak number of total cases and the peak number of hospitalizations will be here soon.

But it's not here yet, one of the reasons that there are still nearly 2,000 National Guard members in 40 hospitals around the state.

It's also one of the reasons that Providence Portland Medical Center has started serving patients in a new 48-bed emergency COVID-19.

Providence worked with the Oregon Health Authority to create the center, which is located on the ninth floor of its cancer center. The floor had been left unused, anticipation other needs later on.

When the pandemic first struck in 2020, Providence started converting the empty floor into something that could be used to help manage future surges.

Last month, OHA reached out to Providence to lease the space for the omicron-driven surge.

While the 9th floor has the look of a field hospital with its cement floors and temporary walls, Providence promises that the level of care is the same as in the main hospital.