COVID returns to Sisters

Oregon is one of the hottest states in the country and it’s not the weather. COVID-19 has made a comeback of sorts, particularly in the western states.

Since late April COVID-19 has seen a surge in Oregon, mostly from omicron variants, according to Dr. Paul Cieslak, medical director for communicable diseases and immunization at the Oregon Health Authority.

People testing positive for COVID climbed from a rate of 3.1 percent in April to over 18 percent during the last week of July, according to the health authority reports.

The number of COVID patients hospitalized in Oregon increased to 223 at the beginning of August, compared to 79 at the end of April.

For the week ending August 17, the CDC reported that nearly 1 in 5 (or 18.1 percent) of all COVID tests performed in the U.S. — excluding at-home test results —were coming back positive.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Wastewater Surveillance System shows that virus levels detected in Oregon sewage began a rapid climb at the end of June, fell slightly at the end of July, and ticked up again in August. As of the week ending on Aug. 10, Oregon’s wastewater viral activity level measured at 22.78 compared to a national average of 8.8 and a reading of 14 in other Western states. Anything over 8 is considered “very high,” the CDC website says.

Sisters Senior Living, until recently The Lodge in Sisters, had COVID visited upon them two weeks ago, forcing masking and visitor restrictions. The all-clear has been sounded. Both St. Charles Redmond and Bend hospitals have seen an uptick in cases along with other flu-like diseases. Some like RSV — Respiratory Syncytial Virus — are often confused with COVID.

Hospital staff and volunteers are required to mask at all St. Charles units, a protocol in place nearly all summer.

Starting in April a group of highly infectious Omicron subvariants have gained a foothold across the globe. However, COVID cases have plateaued in the U.S. for the first time in months, following the rapid spread of the new FLiRT variants this summer.

Nicknamed the “FLiRT” subvariants due to the positions of the specific mutations in their spike proteins, this new class of viruses now accounts for more than 75 percent of infections in the U.S., according to the CDC. One variant, called KP.3.1.1, now accounts for more than 1 in 3 cases.

What to do?

Exercise caution doctors say. Consider avoiding crowded venues.

Covering your coughs and sneezes limits the spread of germs to protect others. Handwashing with soap removes germs from your hands, making them less likely to infect your respiratory system when you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If soap and water are not available, using a hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol can kill these germs. To remove germs and dirt on surfaces, use household cleaners that contain soap or detergent.

Bring as much fresh air into your home as possible by opening doors and windows and/or using exhaust fans.

If your home has a central air system (HVAC) that has a filter, set the fan to the “on” position instead of “auto” when you have visitors, and use pleated filters. Change your filter every three months or according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Use a portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) cleaner.

Move activities outdoors, where airflow is best.