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Just like in Marion and Polk counties, an uptick in local cases threw Eugene and Lane County back into extreme risk, upending the plans of many businesses, football fans and the community as a whole.
County commissioners wrote to the state asking it to reconsider and grant more local control on industry guidelines and focus on pushing more vaccinations.
But others didn t wait for permission. Instead, University of Oregon students hosted large backyard parties.
Apathy, frustration and resistance to state-imposed limitations on gatherings and businesses have come at a time when the state is working to contain surges. Much of the nation began to see a reprieve in the virus’ spread in April, but Oregon reported surges week after week.
91 Oregon Ducks athletes tested positive for COVID-19 from mid-July to early March
Today 6:04 AM
The Matthew Knight Arena court is seen before the Oregon Ducks men s basketball game against the UCLA Bruins in Eugene on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020. The game was postponed after an official tested positive for COVID-19 and the other two officials were ruled out due to contact tracing.Leon Neuschwander for The Oregonian/OregonLive
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By Shane Hoffmann for The Oregonian/OregonLive
Oregon Ducks football coach Mario Cristobal and his staff often err on the side of ambiguity when handling injuries within the program, keeping exact diagnoses close to the vest. Many programs across the country do the same. But this past season brought an added wrinkle across the UO athletic department: the suppression of information surrounding COVID-19 cases among student-athletes.
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KLCC s Tiffany Eckert reports on the University of Oregon s COVID-19 vax efforts especially for students and employees.
Nurse Alexis Hoch-Parker administers the Pfizer vaccine to a University of Oregon employee on April 21 during the university’s first of four COVID-19 vaccination clinics being conducted at Autzen Stadium especially for UO students and employees.
Credit University of Oregon
U of O spokesperson Kay Jarvis said the turn out has been impressive. All 4,600 vaccination slots have been reserved and there is a waiting list to ensure every available dose gets into an arm.
“We, like you, are concerned to see the increase in COVID-19 cases,” said Jarvis. “Campus is experiencing a similar increase in case numbers that is being seen regionally, across the country.”