Health officials are urging Oregonians to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to prevent illness. They also are emphasizing the importance of masking, social distancing and hygiene to stay safe.
Doctor Dean Sidelinger is the state epidemiologist:
鈥淥micron is reported to be more transmissible than the Delta variant as it鈥檚 quickly outcompeted Delta in South Africa, but we do not yet know how much more transmissible it is,鈥� Sidelinger said. 鈥淲e also don鈥檛 know how Omicron affects vaccine effectiveness against severe infection (hospitalization and death). The vaccines have remained highly effective against other variants, and we expect the same to be true with Omicron.鈥�
Sidellinger said we鈥檒l have more information on vaccine effectiveness against Omicron in the coming weeks.
The World Health Organization has identified it as a variant of concern. It鈥檚 been found in more than a dozen countries.
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