August 2021 is now the second highest month for new COVID-19 infections in Hood River County since the beginning of the pandemic, reports the Hood River County Health Department. There were 221 new COVID-19 cases, the second highest behind December 2020, which saw more than 400 new cases.

Following Oregon’s vaccine mandate for healthcare workers, additional vaccine mandates are now in effect for specific groups. K-12 teachers, educators, support staff, and volunteers must be fully vaccinated by Oct.18. State executive branch employees (including state agency employees) must also be fully vaccinated by that date. You are not considered fully vaccinated until two weeks after the final doses of a vaccine series. To comply with this mandate, you must receive the second dose of an mRNA vaccine or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine no later than Monday, Oct. 4.