Tri-county health officer speaks on the rise of Delta variant in Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore. — COVID-19 cases are heading in the wrong direction in Oregon as the Delta variant becomes more common in the state.

Doctors say the variant is more contagious than the original virus, and state health officials said during a press conference earlier this week that cases of the variant have increased as well.

Tri-County Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Vines joins Your Voice Your Vote to talk about this concerning development and to advise anyone who hasn't been vaccinated yet to get the shot.

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Vines says those who have not been vaccinated should still be wearing face masks indoors, however, she stops short of saying if it should be a formal health policy.

When asked if mask mandates could return for everyone in Multnomah County as virus cases increase, Vines says it's still too early to say but that it "is under discussion."

Click above to watch the full interview.