This story has been updated. It
Just like that, we are preparing for a significant winter event that is going to impact the Greater Portland Metro Area and many surrounding communities through the weekend.
It will begin Thursday, Feb. 11, and make a major impact by Friday, Feb. 12. We will focus on Thursday and Friday and briefly talk about what may follow as we will update you well into the weekend.
There is now a Winter Storm Warning for the Portland area, with everything in effect tomorrow at noon. This is a change to the winter storm watch that we had in place up to this point, you can read about that here (a good start if you are just jumping into the forecast). This will detail the general weather story, but what you need to focus on, is the travel and life impact that will start Thursday afternoon.
COVID restrictions easing for a dozen Oregon counties February 09 2021
Gov. Kate Brown s decision means some Portland-area businesses can return to indoor activities.
Twelve counties will see fewer COVID-19 restrictions on businesses and activities beginning Friday, Feb. 12, as the state dropped risk level ratings for counties due to a decline in new infections.
Ten counties moved out of the extreme risk category, some for the first time since November. That list includes Deschutes, Clatsop, Columbia, Lincoln, and Linn, which all moved from extreme risk to high risk.
The biggest news statewide was the move of Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties, also going from extreme to high risk.
The Oregon Health Authority reports a drop in cases, deaths and hospitalizations on Feb. 7.
Reported new COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations fell Sunday, Feb. 7, continuing a weeks-long downward trend.
The Oregon Health Authority reported 393 new cases on Feb. 7, bringing the state total to 147,122. That compares to 624 new cases reported on Saturday.
The OHA also reported four new COVID-19-related deaths, raising the state s toll to 2,023. That compares to 17 deaths reported Saturday.
State health officials also reported the number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon was 230 on Sunday, two more than on Saturday. There were 53 COVID-19-positive patients in ICU beds, one more than Saturday.
The Oregon Health Authority announces several ways to make an appointment, but warns of chaos.
As part of Oregon s Phase 1B in the COVID-19 vaccination distribution plan, people 80 years and older now are eligible to get vaccinated but the Oregon Health Authority is warning that this latest phase could be chaotic.
The Health Authority says the biggest challenge is the scarcity of the vaccine. While they can t give every older adult an appointment as soon as they want one, they can give them different ways to get linked to vaccine information and events.
Recently, KOIN 6 reported that 211 is swamped. While the amount of staff is being increased, they ll always be outnumbered if tens of thousands of calls are coming in. The best way to not overwhelm the system? The Health Authority is launching a new tool on its website that will allow people to get email alerts or text notifications about vaccine events in your area.