Episode 31: Keeping Safe During Omicron

Season 1, Episode 31,   Jan 21, 2022, 04:00 PM


Additional resources


Frequently asked questions about testing, masking and critical care


Q1 If I’m feeling unwell, at what point should I go get tested for COVID?

If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms you should get tested regardless of your vaccination status. To protect the health of others, the best thing to do is stay home and away from others while you wait for the results of your COVID-19 test. 

Many COVID-19 symptoms are like the flu and the common cold, so please contact your primary care provider if you aren’t sure whether to get tested.

If you are fully vaccinated and boosted, you do not need to quarantine, but should wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days.


Q2: What is the difference between at-home antigen COVID tests versus getting a PCR test at a facility? Is one more accurate than the other?

PCR testing is much more accurate at identifying COVID-19 infection because it can amplify traces of the virus. This means even if you have a small amount of virus, it can detect it – This can be as early as a day after you develop COVID-19 symptoms, or a few days after you are exposed to someone with COVID-19. 

Antigen tests don't do this. This means you need a high viral load to test positive.


Q3: Does a patient develop immunity after having COVID?

If you test positive for COVID, you will likely develop some degree of immunity, unless you are immunocompromised. However, we don’t know how long that immunity lasts which is why it is still important to get vaccinated and boosted when eligible. At the same time continued masking should be a priority even after being vaccinated.

People with COVID-19 who have symptoms should wait to be vaccinated until they have recovered from their illness and have met the criteria for discontinuing isolation; those without symptoms should also wait until they meet the criteria before getting vaccinated. This guidance also applies to people who get COVID-19 before getting their second dose of vaccine. 


Q4: How long after exposure should you get tested for COVID? 

According to the CDC, the incubation period for COVID is between two and 14 days, though the newest guidance from the agency suggests a quarantine of five days for those who are not boosted, but eligible or unvaccinated. Those looking to get tested after exposure should do so five days after the exposure or if they begin experiencing symptoms, the CDC recommends


Q5: I got vaccinated. Should I still get tested?

You can still get tested even after getting vaccinated for the sake of protecting those around you. So if you feel any symptoms, you should get tested. By getting tested you stay safe and aware. 


Q6: I’ve tested positive for covid, how soon should I get tested again?

Once you’ve tested positive for the virus, you do not need to be tested again for 90 days from symptom onset, if you became ill, or from the date of your positive test, if you remained asymptomatic. However, if you develop symptoms of COVID-19 during that three-month period, and if clinicians cannot identify another cause for these symptoms, you may need to be re-tested at that time.


Q7: Do I still need to wear a mask when I go out? I thought my vaccine would protect me.

Regardless of vaccination status, it is a requirement that you wear a face mask, face shield or face covering in all public indoor settings. COVID-19 spreads when an infected person breathes out droplets and tiny particles that contain the virus. Other people can then inhale these droplets and particles. 

Given the fact that the Omicron variant spreads more easily than previous COVID variants, wearing a face covering is more important than ever to slow the spread of COVID-19. In certain cases, there are exceptions to this mandate, such as when you’re at a restaurant and are actively eating or drinking. 

While it is not currently a requirement to wear face coverings in outdoor settings, please still be mindful of maintaining a safe physical distance of at least 6 feet when traveling outdoors and you’re around people whom you do not live with.


Q8: What are critical care guidelines, and what does that mean during Omicron?

The federal COVID-19 treatment guidelines for critical care provide recommendations for how to provide care for patients with severe COVID-19.

  • SARS-CoV-2 infection control for health care workers.

  • Treating COVID-19 patients who are in shock.

  • Respiratory support for adults with severe COVID-19.

  • Options for COVID-19 patients with acute kidney injury.

In Oregon, there are concerns about how hospitals will be able to provide critical care if the Omicron surge leads to a workforce shortage. 

If a hospital does not have enough staff or equipment to provide treatment, OHA has provided a tool to help hospitals fairly decide who receives care. For example:

  • Decisions cannot withhold care solely based on a patient’s race, sexual orientation, national origin, immigration status, faith, ability to pay, insurance coverage, disability, age, or any other non-medical status. 

  • Instead, decisions are based on medical evidence, such as the nature and severity of the patient’s condition.


Q9: How can we help make sure hospitals don’t need to make these types of decisions? 

Hospitals will only make these types of decisions after exhausting all other resources, including reaching out to OHA and other partners about their situation.

This is why Oregon is working on building up resources in case of a staffing shortage.

  • There will be 500 National Guard members are on call to support frontline medical workers.

  • OHA has created a team of up to 1,000 additional clinicians to support nurse crisis response teams and extended clinical staffing for hospitals, long-term care facilities and other congregate care settings.

We can do our part of staying out of hospitals by continuing to protect each other from COVID-19. Get vaccinated and boosted if you’re eligible. 

  • Everyone 5 and older should get vaccinated. And everyone 12 and older should get a booster as soon as they are eligible.

  • Studies show that over time, vaccinated people may be only 35% protected against Omicron. But a booster dose of Pfizer or Moderna boosts that protection to 75%.

Other ways to stay safe:

  • Stay home if you’re sick. Keep your family members at home if they get sick.

  • Keep your distance from others and wear a mask when indoors with others who don’t live with you.

  • Wash your hands, especially where you are more likely to touch shared surfaces with people who may be sick or carrying the virus.

  • If you’re at home with sick people, clean and disinfect shared surfaces.

Another way we can protect our hospitals is by only using them for emergencies. 

  • Do not go to the emergency room for COVID-19 testing. 

  • For testing, call 2-1-1 or visit GetVaccinated.Oregon.gov. You can find both vaccine and testing locations using the Vaccine Locator there.

  • You can also call 2-1-1 or visit 211info.org to get help finding clinics, urgent care, immunizations and other health care resources.


Local vaccine events


Date
Time
Location
AddressSaturday, Jan. 22 | 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Rosewood Initiative | 16126 SE Stark StPortland, OR
Tuesday, Jan. 25 | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Highland Haven | 7600 NE Glisan St Portland, OR
Tuesday, Jan. 25 | 2 to 8 p.m. | Lloyd Center | 1260 Lloyd CenterPortland, OR
Thursday, Jan. 27 | 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Lloyd Center | 1260 Lloyd CenterPortland, OR

You can find more vaccine events at multco.us/vaccineclinics.

Document accessibility: For individuals with disabilities or individuals who speak a language other than English, OHA can provide information in alternate formats such as translations, large print, or braille. Contact the Health Information Center at 1-971-673-2411, 711 TTY or COVID19.LanguageAccess@dhsoha.state.or.us.
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Episode 32: Keeping Safe During Omicron Pt. 2
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