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COVID-19 Resources

Last Updated: February 10, 2022

Information on the Coronavirus

I am closely monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and working to provide assistance to Oregonians who will be affected by this global pandemic.

At the recommendation of public health professionals in both Oregon and Congress, my offices in Portland and Washington D.C. are primarily teleworking.

If you are in need of assistance with federal agencies, please contact my office via phone or my website and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Situation in Oregon

In Oregon, call 211 for general information on the coronavirus from the Oregon Health Authority.

To find out the latest information on Coronavirus in Oregon and to sign up for regular email updates, visit the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Information Page here.

COVID-19 Information in Different Languages available here.

Contents

Useful Information on COVID-19 for Constituents

COVID-19 Symptoms

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19. Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.

Feeling Sick? Check Symptoms with Self-Checker or Get Tested for COVID-19.

When to Seek Emergency Medical Attention

Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

*This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

If You Are Sick

Vaccines

Getting the COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your family from severe illness from COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States are effective at protecting people from getting seriously ill, hospitalization, and even dying. As with vaccines for other diseases, people who are up to date are optimally protected. CDC recommends that everyone 5 years and older get their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines, and receive a booster dose when eligible.

Three vaccines are authorized or approved for use in the United States to prevent COVID-19. CDC recommends that people who are starting their vaccine series or getting a booster dose get either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA COVID-19 vaccines); however, which vaccine you can get depends upon your age. Please consult with a health care professional about which vaccine is best for you.

You are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines when you have received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster doses(s) when eligible. The recommendations will be different depending on your age, your health status, and when you first got vaccinated.

Many people who are immunocompromised may need an additional dose as part of their primary vaccine series.

  • If you get a COVID-19 vaccine that requires two shots, you are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after your second shot. Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines require two shots.

  • If you get a COVID-19 vaccine that requires one shot, you are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after your shot. Johnson & Johnson's Janssen COVID-19 vaccine only requires one shot.

  • If it has been less than two weeks since your shot, or if you still need to get your second shot, you are NOT fully protected. Keep taking steps to protect yourself and others until you are fully vaccinated (two weeks after your final shot).

If you have received your primary series of COVID-19 vaccines, booster shots are recommended if:

  • You are 12+ and received your second Pfizer-BioNTech shot more than 5 months ago

  • You are age 18+ years and received a second Moderna shot more than 5 months ago and

  • You received a J&J/Janssen shot more than 2 months ago

To find a vaccination site or find up to date information on vaccine eligibility and requirements visit OHA's COVID-19 Vaccine page here.

Variants

Viruses are constantly changing, including the virus that causes COVID-19. Variants are expected and vaccines continue to reduce a person's risk of contracting the virus that cause COVID-19. Vaccines are highly effective against severe illness.

CDC is working with state and local public health officials to monitor the spread of Omicron. As of December 20, 2021, Omicron had been detected in most states and territories and continues to be the dominant variant in the United States.

Testing

Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Order your tests now so you have them when you need them by visiting covidtests.gov.

No-cost antigen and PCR COVID-⁠19 tests are available to everyone in the U.S., including the uninsured, at more than 20,000 sites nationwide.

To find a COVID-19 testing site in Oregon, visit govstatus.egov.com/or-oha-covid-19-testing.

Mask Recommendations and Requirements

In Oregon, masks are required in healthcare settings and on public transportation such as buses, trains and in airports and on airplanes. Masking is highly recomended in public settings. Read the full Oregon Administrative Rule  here.

Wearing a mask is a critical way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Masks and respirators, when worn consistently and correctly, are effective at reducing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

The Biden Administration is working to provide free N95 masks to every American. Starting in February 2022, free N95 masks are available to pick up at most local pharmacies and community health center sites across the country. Every person is allowed up to 3 free masks pending availability.

Businesses and organizations may find signs to post by visiting  healthoregon.org/covidguidance  under the "Business Signage" section.

Why Wear a Mask?

Studies show that wearing a mask can help protect both us and the people around us from spreading and catching COVID-19. It's an empowering way for each of us to protect our communities, our families, and ourselves.

What kinds of masks are acceptable?

Face coverings come in many kinds, including homemade cloth face coverings, plastic face shields, surgical masks and N95 respirators. The CDC recommends a well-fitting mask and has stated that N95 and KN95 masks offer superior protection over cloth masks against the omicron variant.

OHA recommends wearing a face covering or mask instead of a face shield, except in limited situations when a face shield by itself is appropriate, like talking to someone who is deaf or hard of hearing and needs to read lips to communicate.

Masks and disabilities

If someone with a disability is unable to wear a mask or alternate face covering (like a face shield), they can request a reasonable accommodation from businesses that require face coverings. These accommodations might look like grocery store pick-up or pharmacy delivery. Learn more about the ADA and face mask policies.

For Caregivers:  Remember to only put a face covering on someone who is able to adjust and remove it themselves.

For children 12 years and younger

OHA strongly recommends that individuals under the age of two (2) do not wear a mask, face covering or face shield. Children two (2) years of age and older are required, however, to wear a mask on public transportation and when in transportation hubs.

Quarantine and Isolation

Quarantine is a strategy used to prevent transmission of COVID-19 by keeping people who have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 apart from others.

Isolation is used to separate people with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 from those without COVID-19. People who are in isolation should stay home until it's safe for them to be around others.

To read about the CDC's latest guidelines on quarantine and isolation, visit cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html.

Have Questions? Visit the CDC's COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions Page: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html