COVID Cases in Oregon to Increase Moderately in June

Researchers tracking the spread of COVID-19 in Oregon anticipate a moderate peak in cases and hospitalizations in June, with hospitalizations potentially tripling to 505 by June 28 due to a new omicron subvariant. However, the peak is expected to remain far below the highs seen during the delta wave in September 2021. Federal and state officials are preparing for the sunset of the COVID-19 emergency declaration on May 11, but health officials are prepared to "weather a subvariant wave." Researchers do not expect the new variant to cause more severe illness, and people who have previously gotten COVID-19 or have been vaccinated are less likely to require hospitalization.