Oregon Health & Science University issued the following statement, after Oregon Gov. Kate Brown on Wednesday announced an executive order in response to the rise in adult and pediatric respiratory illness cases and hospitalizations:

“In the face of a multifold, historic crisis that is unprecedented on several fronts, Gov. Brown has responded by expanding her executive order, intended to help provide clinicians and staff serving adults and children the tools they need to care for a surge of patients in emergency departments.

“This executive order will be invaluable as OHSU works to ensure that everyone is able to get the best possible care, despite unprecedented strains on capacity in emergency departments and in hospitals. It will provide additional flexibility to ensure we have enough health care workers to meet current needs, while the Oregon Health Authority assists by securing additional nurse staff to support our existing clinicians and staff through this challenging surge. 

“We thank Gov. Brown and the Oregon Health Authority for providing us this essential support. Oregonians need OHSU now more than ever, and we thank our dedicated health care workers for continuing to go above and beyond through this incredibly difficult time to provide our patients with quality, compassionate care.”