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Taft Sports .................................................. PAGE 10 Holiday Fraud Warning .. .............................. PAGE 5

December 13, 2022

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Respiratory viruses surge Hospitalizations continue to rise, precautions urged WILL LOHRE JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.

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METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Oregon health officials said hospitalization rates have skyrocketed due to the combination of impacts of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza and COVID variants.

he Oregon Health Authority (OHA) advises Oregonians to take precautions against respiratory illnesses in the wake of a flood of hospitalizations. Oregon health officials said that hospitalization rates have skyrocketed due to the combined impacts of Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza, and COVID variants. “The combination of surging flu, RSV and COVID-19 cases is pushing hospitals past their current ICU bed capacity, which never happened during the darkest days of our COVID-19 Pandemic in Oregon,” Sidelinger said during a Dec. 8 media briefing. The panel included the state epidemiologist for OHA, Dr. Dean Sidelinger, and three clinicians who could speak to the severity of the crisis. According to Sidelinger, between Oct. 23

and Nov. 13, Oregon saw a “fivefold” increase in child hospitalizations. While that number peaked during the week of Nov. 19, the current hospitalization rates remain higher than any previously recorded number.

toring the influenza situation and its effect on hospitalization, but we do expect flu activity to maintain its upward trajectory into the winter, particularly as the holiday season and the gathering with loved ones continues.”

Safety First

COVID-19 Pandemic The doctors also stressed that the pandemic is not over. COVID test positivity rates ballooned from 1 percent to 30 percent. Not only have cases risen, but hospitalization because of COVID as well. Patients with COVID in hospitals have risen from 235 to 347 in the past month, a 48 percent increase. ICU hospitalizations have also increased from 27 to 35, a 30 percent raise. While death rates have remained steady, the statewide forecast from OHSU published Dec. 2 suggests that the surge in respiratory illnesses will keep pressure

• Cover coughs and sneezes • Wash hands frequently • Wear a mask if sick • Get vaccinated Influenza in Oregon communities doubled weekly for five consecutive weeks from Oct. 18 to Nov. 28. Hospital visits due to the flu have increased rapidly since late October and affect people 65 and over the most. “This year’s influenza season has begun earlier than it normally does, and we are seeing high levels of influenza nationwide,” Sidelinger said. “We will keep moni-

See VIRUS, Page 11

Supreme Court’s ruling puts Measure 114 in limbo JEREMY C. RUARK WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

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he Oregon Supreme Court has rejected a request from Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum to “immediately” review a temporary restraining order by Harney County Judge Robert Raschio, which prevents enforcement of Measure 114. The high court’s action late Dec. 7, means Measure 114 is still in limbo and would not take effect Dec. 8. Judge Raschio ruling Tuesday, Dec. 6, came just hours after Federal Judge Karin Immergut in Portland allowed the measure to continue, though she put a hold on the provision in the measure that

would require a permit to purchase a firearm. According to court documents, Judge Raschio placed a temporary restraining order on the measure until Dec. 13, when the courts will decide whether a further injunction is necessary. As the basis for his ruling, Judge Raschio ruled that the measure does not enable Oregonians to exercise their Second Amendment rights to purchase a firearm or bear a magazine capable of holding 10 or more rounds. “Deprivation of fundamental constitutional rights for any period constitutes irreparable harm,” The judge ruled. Background Measure 114, which

seeks to make sweeping gun control regulations, narrowly passed in Oregon by a 50.7 percent majority. The measure would require a permitting process to purchase a weapon; ban the sale, manufacturing and transfer of magazines holding more than 10 rounds; and background checks that must be completed before a gun may be sold or transferred. Part of the permit process would require safety training and a demonstration in the presence of a police chief or sheriff. OSP Statement Oregon State Police released the following details late Wednesday, Dec. 7. See RULING, Page 11

METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Gun sales are surging across the state following the passage of Ballot Measure 114.

Rural infrastructure package proposed STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.

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COURTESY PHOTO

The rural infrastructure package proposal was during a meeting with the House Interim Committee on Economic Development and Small Business Wednesday, Dec. 7 in Salem.

tate Rep. David Gomberg (DCentral Coast) has presented a bipartisan rural infrastructure package proposal that builds off of the successful $100 million package passed this year by the Oregon Legislature, according to a release from Oregon House Majority Office. The 2023 proposal would help bolster rural entrepreneurial opportunities, expand rural workforce housing capacity and support critical agriculture, natural resources and outdoor recreation ventures. “Oregon’s small, rural towns have big aspirations,” Gomberg said. “Last session we were tasked with identifying key infrastructure spending opportunities

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When rural Oregon prospers, all of Oregon prospers. — Rep. Mark Owens (R-Crane)

throughout the state. With this proposal we’re focused on finding ways to support those very same communities to expand their workforces, bolster their housing supply and become hotspots for private investment and entrepreneurial ventures.” Over the course of the 2022 interim, a bipartisan group of legislators informally met to develop the proposal, including Rep. Gomberg, Rep. Pam Marsh (D-Southern Jackson County), Rep. Mark Owens (R-Crane) and Rep. Greg Smith (R-Heppner).

“This really is the Oregon Way,” Smith said. He is one of the longest serving members of the House. “I’m optimistic that the 2023 legislative session will continue to represent a renewed commitment to rural Oregon,” Smith said. “This package will serve to uplift our communities and provide more opportunities for them to attract and retain the innovative talent that will truly help them flourish.” “I’m proud of this proposal and the work we’ve been able to accomplish together,” Marsh said. “It’s important for us that economic prosperity reaches every corner of the state.” “When rural Oregon prospers, all of Oregon prospers,” Owens said. “It’s bipartisan, people-centered work like this

See PROPOSAL, Page 11

TheNewsGuard.com

WEATHER

INDEX Police Blotter ............ 2 Opinion ...................... 6

Classifieds.............. 7-8 Sports ...................... 10

VOL. 95 NO. 49

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