SALEM, Ore. — During a briefing Tuesday with Oregon Gov. Kate Brown and state health and education leaders, the state epidemiologist said the latest modeling shows that Oregonians may be starting to slow the surge of the delta variant.
Dr. Dean Sidelinger said the latest forecast from OHA "projects a slight decline in the estimated growth of new cases from last week's modeling scenario."
Sidelinger said while this is positive news, Oregonians must remain vigilant.
"Our newest modeling offers some encouragement, conditioned upon more adult Oregonians getting vaccinated and taking other protective steps such as wearing masks when in indoor public spaces, when we're outdoors among crowds, and reconsidering plans," Sidelinger said.
Much of the news conference focused on the return to in-person school happening across the state. State leaders expressed confidence that the protocols in place at schools will assure that in-person learning can extend through the school year while also limiting the spread of the delta variant among students and staff.
"These statewide safety protocols, and each of the safety protocols put in place by your school not only make it safer for everyone, but they also help ensure that our kids actually get to stay in school," said Oregon Department of Education director Colt Gill.
But Gill also said everyone in Oregon has a responsibility to assist in that effort by getting vaccinated, wearing masks and limiting large gatherings. "Anyone who comes into contact with school-age children, we need you to do your part to protect this school year," Gill said.
OHA issued a new school health advisory identifying steps to help keep children learning safely in school. The new advisory begins Tuesday:
- All eligible youth and adults who come in contact with school-age children should vaccinate to reduce spread in the school community.
- Families with school-age children and educators should limit gatherings and non-essential activities with people from other households to the extent possible. If you are visiting people from another household, you should wear a mask, maintain a physical distance of 6 feet, and keep activities outdoors as much as possible.
- To the extent possible, schools and other organizations should reduce extracurricular activities and consider holding activities, such as meals, recess, physical education classes, music and choir, outdoors to maximize physical distancing. Likewise, if schools and other organizations proceed with extracurricular activities, they should consider holding them outdoors and implementing additional precautions like face coverings and physical distancing.
- Schools should hold beginning of the year family events (open houses, meet the teacher nights, etc.) online, rather than in-person. If events are held in-person, ensure all participants wear masks, hold the events outside, and maintain physical distancing of 6 feet to the degree possible.
- Families should check your school’s website or ODE’s Ready Schools, Safe Learners website to review your school’s Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan.