First COVID-19 vaccinations begin in Oregon
By GILLIAN FLACCUS
Of The Associated Press
PORTLAND Oregon hospitals administered the first coronavirus vaccines in the state Wednesday to nurses, respiratory therapists, housekeeping workers and other health care employees in high-risk jobs, marking the beginning of a broad vaccination campaign in a state that s seen more than 1,200 COVID-19 deaths since the pandemic began.
Those vaccinated during the coordinated event streamed live over the internet were from Legacy Health System and Oregon Health & Science University in Portland and Saint Alphonsus Medical Center on the Oregon-Idaho border. Vaccine shipments to other hospitals, including Salem Hospital, will continue to arrive this week.
COVID outbreak at Mac care center tied to 11 deaths, dozens of cases
The positive news this week that COVID-19 vaccines were on the way was dampened by the report of 10 new deaths in Yamhill County, a 50% increase to the local toll that is now at 30.
Yamhill County Public Health released a press release Thursday afternoon stating that 11 recent COVID deaths are tied to an outbreak at Majorie House Memory Care Community in McMinnville; and 35 more people there have tested positive. Our hearts go out to everyone involved in this incredibly sad situation we find ourselves in, said Health and Human Services Director Lindsey Manfrin.
Baker City Police Chief Ray Duman said officers, in separate incidents earlier this week, found two Baker City men in their vehicles, unresponsive, and both were later confirmed as having died of natural causes.
The two men, Donald H. Phillips, 90, of 44484 Deer Haven Road, and Christopher Christie, 72, of 1985 15th St., both were found in the driverâs seats of their vehicles.
Duman said Phillips was found in his 2018 Ford pickup truck about 9:05 a.m. Monday at Resort Street and Washington Avenue. The pickup, which was facing east on Washington, was still running when police responded to find Phillips slumped over the wheel in the locked vehicle. Emergency responders from the Baker City Fire Department were called to extricate Phillips, Duman said.
December 16, 2020
State’s first COVID-19 vaccines given to health care workers
More than 35,000 doses expected in Oregon before week’s end; Director Allen clarifies remarks
PORTLAND, Ore. COVID-19 immunizations with the new Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine began today in Oregon, kicking off a statewide effort that could see thousands of health care workers getting first doses by week’s end.
The state is expected to receive 35,100 doses this week, according to the Oregon Health Authority Immunization Program, citing federal allocation estimates. The first shipments from that batch arrived Monday and Tuesday, when four health systems Legacy Health, Oregon Health & Science University and Kaiser Permanente and Saint Alphonsus received a total of 4,875 doses.