Quick links

For providers and practice leaders

Find COVID resources for providers on our main Referral Service page. Resources include information about:

  • Treating Long COVID-19
  • Managing a practice during a major outbreak

Updates

COVID-19 emergencies to end: On May 11, 2023, the Biden Administration plans to end the COVID-19 national and public health emergencies that were first declared in 2020. This decision affects many areas of health care. Here’s what you need to know now:

  • Masks are still required in health care settings in Oregon until April 3, 2023. At OHSU, everyone age 2 and older must still wear a mask in hospitals and clinics. OHSU is evaluating our guidelines, policies and procedures. Health care organizations may set their own mask requirements, even after the state requirement is lifted.
  • Some workers, including health care workers, still have to be vaccinated against COVID-19 under Oregon law, which is separate from the emergencies.
  • You can lower your risk of getting COVID or other respiratory viruses by avoiding the three C’s: crowded places, closed spaces and close conversations.
  • OHSU is working to understand details and prepare for this shift. We will share more information as it becomes available.
  • Learn more about what the end of the COVID emergencies will mean.

Remdesivir: OHSU is the only Oregon hospital to offer remdesivir, which prevents severe and possibly life-threatening COVID-19, for patients who aren't in the hospital.

Oregon Hospital Forecast and Trends: COVID, Flu, RSV

OHSU’s lead data scientist, Peter Graven, Ph.D., provides frequent updates and COVID projections for Oregon and beyond. His work began as the pandemic emerged and helps inform the Oregon Health Authority.

The latest forecast was completed March 16

OHSU COVID Forecast cover image.
  • The number of people with COVID -19 in Oregon peaked at 261 on Feb. 23 and dropped to 222 as of March 14.
  • The XBB.1.5 strain of COVID has increased to nearly 90% of infections across the region in recent estimates.
  • The number of people waiting in Oregon emergency rooms for beds, and the number of available hospital beds, are back to where they were before the winter surge in illnesses.
  • Flu and RSV cases are expected to remain low.
  • COVID-19 levels in wastewater in Oregon peaked the week ending March 1.
  • The rate of people going to Oregon emergency rooms for COVID peaked at 3.2% the week of Feb. 12. It's dropped since then to 2.2%.
  • The percentage of positive COVID tests in Oregon peaked at 10% the week of Feb. 12. It's dropped since then to 8.6%.
  • There were 2 children with COVID in Oregon hospitals as of March 13.
  • Since the last forecast, the XBB.1.5 strain of COVID-19 has produced a mild wave of infections. This wave seems to have peaked and is declining slowly.
  • The COVID forecast shows continuing declines, without a specific variant putting people at new risk. 
  • The Type B strain of flu is still not common in the U.S. But France and some other countries are seeing a mild wave of Type B flu. It's not clear whether this could happen in the U.S. The current forecast assumes it won't.

COVID-19 testing options

Every U.S. household can order 4 free at-home COVID-⁠19 tests this winter. Tests will be delivered by U.S. mail.

The National Institutes of Health has set up a website, MakeMyTestCount.org, where you can report your test result without using your name. Sharing test results keeps our communities safer by helping public health teams understand where and how fast COVID-19 is spreading.

Private insurance now must cover the cost of at-home COVID-19 tests.

  • The federal government announced that insurance companies and health plans must cover eight over-the-counter tests a month for each covered person. A family of four could have 32 tests paid for each month.
  • The government is adding incentives to let people buy tests online or from a store or pharmacy with no up-front cost or need to file reimbursement claims. It's a good idea to save your receipt in case you need to get reimbursed, though.

Learn more about insurance coverage for tests.

You can get care and, if needed, testing for COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases:

You can get care and, if needed, testing for COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases:

This testing is for patients 2 months and older:

  • Adventist Health Urgent Care - Sandy, an OHSU Health partner clinic
    17055 Ruben Lane
    Sandy, OR 97055
    By appointment only. Call or go to adventisthealth.org/Portland/urgentcare. A virtual visit or provider consultation is required before receiving a test.
    Weekdays, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. 
    Weekends, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
    503-668-8002

  • Adventist Health Urgent Care - Parkrose, an OHSU Health partner clinic

    1350 N.E. 122nd Ave., Suite 200
    Portland, OR 97230
    By appointment only. Call or go to adventisthealth.org/Portland/urgentcare. A virtual visit or provider consultation is required before receiving a test.
    Weekdays, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
    Weekends, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
    503-408-7008

Learn how your child can get free weekly COVID-19 PCR tests through their school.  

OHSU tools and policies

Screenshot of "At-home care for people with COVID-19" guide

OHSU offers this downloadable guide on caring for a COVID-19 patient at home. The guide explains how to protect patients, families and caregivers.

Patients have the right to refuse COVID-19 testing when seeking emergency care at OHSU. Any patients who come to OHSU with an emergency, including active labor, will receive care regardless of whether they agree to testing. 

When COVID testing is declined, health care personnel base their use of PPE on the assumption that the patient could have COVID-19. Our visitor policy describes when visitors are allowed for patients who have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Dr. Jordan Young (left) and Dr. Ran Ran put on protective gear before entering a patient room in OHSU’s Emergency Department.
Dr. Jordan Young (left) and Dr. Ran Ran put on protective gear before entering a patient room in OHSU’s Emergency Department.

Where to learn more

COVID-19 information

Community resources

  • Call 211 from a mobile phone.
  • Call 503-222-5555 from a landline.
  • Email help@211.com for general information.

News sources

These news organizations either have no paywall or have made some coronavirus stories available to everyone:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a series of videos on COVID-19 in American Sign Language. See one here and find the full series on YouTube.

Daniel Streblow, Ph.D., (left) and Donna Hansel, M.D., Ph.D., work in OHSU’s in-house COVID-19 testing lab.
Daniel Streblow, Ph.D., (left) and Donna Hansel, M.D., Ph.D., work in OHSU’s in-house COVID-19 testing lab.