New Normal

Portland's Libraries Are Open Again, But in Person Events Are Slower to Return

At the Multnomah County library, non-virtual programming for ages 0-6 is not likely to resume before fall of 2022.

05/05/2022 By Julia Silverman

COVID-19

Oregon’s Long-Awaited Digital Vaccine Card is Finally Here

The Oregon Health Authority launched the long-delayed, $2.45 million initiative to little fanfare at the end of April.

04/29/2022 By Fiona McCann and Julia Silverman

Coronavirus

COVID Cases Are Rising Again in Oregon. OHA’s Doctors Say You Shouldn’t Panic.

COVID-19 cases are going up, thanks to the very transmissible omicron subvariant BA2—but the health care system is in better shape this time around.

04/20/2022 By Julia Silverman

COVID-19

Oregon's Digital Vaccine Card Delayed till End of April

The state is now hoping to launch the optional, voluntary, $2.25 million effort in late April. It was initially set to roll out in early March.

04/07/2022 By Julia Silverman

Coronavirus

For Oregonians Who’ve Never Had COVID, Is a Bout with the Virus Inevitable?

With BA.2 on the horizon, those who’ve managed to escape getting COVID-19 might be wondering how much longer they can dodge the virus. An OHSU doctor weighs the landscape.

03/21/2022 By Julia Silverman

Food News

Portland Restaurant Owners and Workers on Lifting the Mask Mandate

Some are embracing the opportunity to go mask-free, while for others, it’s pandemic precautions as usual.

03/16/2022 By Katherine Chew Hamilton

Coronavirus

Oregon Has Another New Target Date for Lifting Its Indoor Mask Mandate: March 11

The new target date is nearly two years to the day that the state went into its first sustained lockdown for COVID-19.

02/28/2022 By Julia Silverman

Coronavirus

Oregon's Indoor Mask Mandate Will Lift on March 19

That's 11 days earlier than previously announced.

02/24/2022 By Julia Silverman

Coronavirus

Is this Really the End for Masks in Oregon?

The state says the indoor mask mandate can expire on March 31. But what that will look like in practice depends on where you live, work, and go to school.

02/08/2022 By Julia Silverman

News You Can Use

5 Oregon Stories to Watch This Week, January 31–February 6

Kristof's day in court, the short legislative session kicks off, and is omicron finally on the run?

01/31/2022 By Julia Silverman

Coronavirus

Omicron Hasn't Peaked in Oregon Yet, at Least Not According to Our Poop

Wastewater sampling has effectively identified a decline in Oregon's Omircon cases a few days before more official channels, but the results can lag.

01/19/2022 By Julia Silverman

COVID-19

Where to Get a COVID-19 Test in Portland

With demand outpacing supply, we've compiled a list of places to get COVID-19 tests and at-home rapid tests.

01/14/2022 By Fiona McCann

Q&A

What’s It Like to Work in the Restaurant Industry during the Omicron Surge?

We talked to employees at Portland's PaaDee, Navarre, and Bullard about their experience working in a restaurant during the Omicron surge.

01/14/2022 By Katherine Chew Hamilton

Technology

Want to Find At-Home COVID Tests with Just One Click?

Portland-based Software Developer Scott Krager built 8tests.com to help with the search for at-home COVID tests—and in 24 hours, the site has taken off.

01/13/2022 By Julia Silverman

Arts News

Will Omicron Set Portland’s Arts Venues Back to Spring 2020?

Canceled performances, postponed productions, ever-evolving protocols: how live events are weathering the latest COVID surge.

01/12/2022 By Conner Reed

Education

What's Next for Schools during the Omicron Surge?

For starters, more Portland-area schools are likely to move into temporary distance learning.

01/11/2022 By Julia Silverman

Health

Portland Blood Banks Are Running Out of Blood

The Red Cross and Bloodworks Northwest are asking for donors to step up.

01/06/2022 By Karly Quadros

Coronavirus

Omicron Is Changing a Lot—But Not the Way Oregon Collects Hospital Data

Despite the omicron variant's transmissibility, the state says it has no plans to break out the number of patients who show up at hospitals with COVID-19 versus for treatment from the virus.

01/05/2022 By Julia Silverman

Coronavirus

Forecast: Omicron Could Peak in Oregon by Late January

But how many people will be hospitalized, and how the system will handle that influx, is a moving target

12/31/2021 By Julia Silverman

News

At PDX, Omicron and Snow Delays Are Snarling Holiday Travel

Amid winter weather and COVID-related staff shortages, at least one major airline is asking that you postpone nonessential flights.

12/30/2021 By Karly Quadros