Governor Kate Brown Issues Executive Order To Help Strained Oregon Hospitals

PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon Governor Kate Brown has issued an executive order in response to a surge in adult and pediatric cases and hospitalizations for respiratory viruses.

The order gives hospitals more flexibility to increase staffing and use volunteer nurses and doctors.

The Oregon Health Authority will spend up to 25-million dollars to hire supplemental nurses to help increase hospital staffing.

“Our health care workers––our nurses, doctors, and hospital staff––are being pushed to their limits by this year’s combination of flu, RSV, and COVID-19 hospitalizations,” said Governor Brown. “As they do everything they can to keep Oregonians healthy and safe, we must all do our part to help them. Our health care workers are working around the clock to protect the people most vulnerable to severe respiratory illnesses––including our young children and seniors.

“I am asking Oregonians to come together to help our health care heroes this holiday season. Stay home if you are sick, stay up to date on your vaccinations, and consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor situations––especially if you are at higher risk for severe illness from RSV, the flu, or COVID-19.”

Last month, Governor Brown issued an order that increased hospital flexibility to help with the increase in pediatric RSV cases.

The new order expands that flexibility.

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