August 17, 2021 3:20 a.m.

On Monday, Oregon’s entire congressional delegation urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help the state cope with the latest surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations by providing medical personnel.

A release said in a letter to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell signed by Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Representatives Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Kurt Schrader, Suzanne Bonamici and Cliff Bentz, the lawmakers asked the agency to give “swift and full consideration” to a recent request by Governor Kate Brown.

The letter noted that although more than 71 percent of adult Oregonians are vaccinated, and the state has had relatively low levels of infection during the pandemic, communities with low-vaccination rates are experiencing extremely high rates of COVID-19 infection and that hospitalizations are spiking statewide.

The letter said, “State officials estimate that the current surge of cases is likely to exceed hospital capacity by 400-500 beds in a matter of weeks. The state has subsequently tightened mitigation measures, like indoor-masking, and has asked the National Guard to provide support to hospital staff in heavily impacted areas. In addition to these efforts, Governor Brown is requesting FEMA provide additional personnel to ensure Oregonians get the care they need during this critical time”.