The ongoing surge COVID-19 , driven by the highly contagious delta variant, appears to have peaked in Oregon and the Columbia River Gorge, but hospitals, healthcare workers and emergency responders continue to see an increase in patients needing emergency and critical care.
Bingen — Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) has announced that it will require all employees and volunteers throughout the organization to become fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 18.
Between Sept. 1 and Sept. 8, schools in Wasco and Sherman counties reported 19 cases of COVID-19. School-based cases can be reported among students, staff or volunteers. None were due to transmission in the school setting, according to a press release from North Central Public Health District (NCPHD).
Columbia Gorge Community College is postponing a ribbon-cutting originally planned for Saturday, Sept. 11, as COVID cases escalate throughout the region.
‘Medical Freedom’: Demonstrators gathering in support of “medical freedom” rally at 12th and May streets in Hood River Saturday, Sept. 5. Signs protested mask mandates (“Unmask our Kids”) and vaccine mandates for some (“No jab, No job, No Way”) as well as gun rights. According to organizer K…
As part of the state-wide “We Care” movement, a group of The Dalles locals took 12 boxes full of snacks and other treats to Mid-Columbia Medical Center as a ‘thank you’ to medical professionals working through the COVID-19 pandemic.
A The Dalles woman shared her COVID survivor’s story recently, saying she’s experiencing significant hair loss, anxiety, insomnia and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) after a nearly two-week hospital stay.
COVID cases, hospitalizations and deaths have continued to rise in the Gorge area, with Wasco and Klickitat counties seeing several deaths this past month, and all local hospitals — Providence Hood River, Mid-Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles and Skyline Hospital in White Salmon — report…
As the volume of COVID patients continues to overwhelm health care services, Providence on Friday announced additional measures being taken in Oregon hospitals.
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.
HOOD RIVER — In response to a positive COVID-19 case within Columbia Center for the Arts, the center is announcing the following changes to the gallery schedule to enable full completion of quarantine, testing, and sanitation protocols:
THE DALLES — The Dalles Kiwanis Club has decided to cancel this year’s Steak Feed fundraiser out of care and concern for the community’s health and well-being. The event was initially scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 9. This is the second year the important and popular fundraiser has been canceled.
COVID-19 Testing Sunday, Sept. 5
The CDC issued a health advisory today about a rapid increase in ivermectin prescriptions — now up 24-fold over pre-pandemic levels — and reports of severe illness associated with use of ivermectin products to prevent or treat COVID-19, according to North Central Public Health (NCPHD) in The Dalles.
Ivermectin is not FDA approved for use in preventing or treating COVID, and has not been proven as a way to prevent or treat it. Calls to poison control centers have gone up nationwide as a result of people taking ivermectin improperly, NCPHD reported.
Vaccination rates continue to rise steadily in Wasco, Sherman and Gilliam counties, but COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are also climbing as the surge in Delta variant COVID cases continues.
As of Friday morning, Aug. 27, MCMC had no open ICU beds, and 26 percent of its patient beds were taken by COVID positive patients. It has had to turn away ambulances due to increased volume in its ER. Also Friday, it re-instituted its policy of not allowing visitors due to the surge.
In what protesters called a “For The Kids” rally, groups voiced opposition to mask mandates in schools through signage and blaring of horns down the streets of Klickitat County communities last Wednesday.
HOOD RIVER — Staff at Horizon Christian and Hood River County School District sites are getting ready to welcome students back into classrooms beginning Tuesday, Sept. 7.
THE DALLES — On Aug. 19, the entire District 21 School Board and leadership team came together for an in-person work session at The Dalles Middle School, where they went into detail on a comprehensive draft plan for reopening D21 Schools for the 2021-22 School Year.
A sixth person has died of COVID-19 during an outbreak at Columbia Basin Care in The Dalles, according to a press release from North Central Public Health (NCPHD).
MYTH: The COVID-19 vaccines were developed too fast to be safe.
Sheriff Bob Songer is planning on being back to work after recovering from his COVID-19 illness, he said in an interview with Columbia Gorge News.
THE DALLES — As the Delta variant of COVID-19 raises public concern over large gatherings, Columbia Gorge Community College is modifying its plans for a ribbon-cutting at the college’s new workforce skills center and student residential hall in September.
Facing a sharp surge in COVID-19 infections that threatens to swamp Oregon hospitals, Gov. Kate Brown ordered a double dose of mandatory vaccination mandates on Aug. 19.
HOOD RIVER — Due to the recent surge of COVID in Oregon, no visitors will be allowed in Providence hospitals.
The beginning of the new week brought a torrent of bad numbers that measure the skyrocketing spike in COVID-19 cases in Oregon.
Oregon’s hospitals continue to head toward unknown medical territory as the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients hit 937 in a report Monday, 37 more than Sunday. There 253 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit beds, up 22 from the day before.
THE DALLES — School District 21 in The Dalles is planning for a return to full-time, in-person learning this fall, but is also making contingency plans should state guidelines change and considering alternative learning options for “medically fragile” and immunocompromised students.
School for several students in Klickitat County starts Aug. 25, and as the opening date approaches, local districts have recently released information regarding updated reopening procedures.
The last year and a half has been long and difficult for everyone, health providers especially. And now, as we near what feels to be like the end of the pandemic, the delta variant emerges to mix everything up. It’s scary for everyone, but Dr. Matt Swanson is hopeful.
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced Aug. 11 that all persons over the age of 5 are required to wear masks in indoor public settings starting Friday, Aug. 13, regardless of their vaccination status.
Remember to bring your face mask when you go to a DMV office. Masks are required inside DMV offices and during drive tests conducted by DMV, regardless of vaccination status.
August 19, 2021. 4:20 p.m. Update: Oregon Public Broadcasting published a report confirming Sheriff Songer recently contracted COVID-19. Songer said in the report he was hospitalized for five days and is recovering at home with the help of oxygen. He plans to return to work in "a couple days."
Gov. Kate Brown ordered face masks be worn indoors in public places beginning Friday as state health officials worry the highly contagious delta variant of COVID-19 is getting out of control.
Gov. Kate Brown ordered face masks be worn indoors in public places beginning Friday as state health officials worry the highly contagious delta variant of COVID-19 is getting out of control.
The COVID-19 delta variant is spreading so fast that it will hit most of the state’s unvaccinated population before the six weeks needed to be fully immunized if they were inoculated now.
The Employment Department has reopened a total of 35 WorkSource Oregon centers in its push to help as many people as possible obtain jobs or training before federal unemployment benefits expire Sept. 4.
Gorge communities continue to see a sharp increase in COVID-19 infections, with Wasco County reporting 96 cases over the last two weeks, an infection rate which would have placed the county into the “extreme risk” category under previous state metrics.
Roberta Aldrich of Sherman County and Terrence Shown of Wasco County each won $10,000 in the “Take Your Shot Oregon” COVID-19 vaccine lottery. A $10,000 winner was picked for each county.
Gorge communities continue to see a sharp increase in COVID-19 infections, with Wasco County reporting 96 cases over the last two weeks, an infection rate which would have placed the county into the “extreme risk” category under previous state metrics.
As a Buddhist monk and a registered nurse, Kozen Sampson has made it his mission to help others. Even now, in his 70s and faced with a global pandemic, he finds ways to be present and active in his community.
As many people have heard, across the country, in Oregon, and in our own region, COVID-19 cases have increased significantly over the past two weeks. The delta variant of the virus, which is much more transmissible, is estimated to be responsible for 80% of the new cases in Oregon and in the U.S.
Gov. Kate Brown Friday ordered mandatory masking inside state buildings, an order covering workers and visitors whether vaccinated or not.
Since Friday, July 23 through late morning Friday, July 30, Wasco County has had 62 cases of COVID-19. More were coming in Friday afternoon.
Since Friday, July 23 through late morning Friday, July 30, Wasco County has had 62 cases of COVID-19. More were coming in Friday afternoon.
Of those 62 cases, 55 were in unvaccinated people.
Starting July 29th, any Wasco County resident who receives their 1st COVID-19 vaccine at participating locations will get a $50 Visa gift card.
Meanwhile, Wasco County reported 44 COVID cases in just three days this week, 39 of them amongst unvaccinated people. The highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19 is surging in Oregon and is driving increasing cases and hospitalizations.
Even as the highly transmissible delta variant of COVID-19 rapidly spreads, vaccines continue to remain effective at preventing illness, hospitalization and death. In June, 36 of 37 people who got COVID-19 in Wasco County were unvaccinated, according to North Central Public Health District (NCPHD).
The highly contagious COVID-19 delta variant has caused a steep increase in the number of infections in Oregon — but with different impacts across the state.
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has signed an executive order to lift all COVID-19 health and safety restrictions, which includes Oregon’s statewide mask mandate and county risk level system, effective June 30.
SALEM – Oregon OSHA today, June 30, removed the facial covering and physical distancing requirements of its COVID-19 rule for all workplaces, with certain exceptions, including health care, public transit, and airports.
Hood River County Health Department gave a big thanks to all of the volunteers who helped Hood River County reach the 70% vaccination mark with a luncheon June 21 at Toll Bridge Park in Parkdale. Hood River remains a leader among the state.
Report encourages continuing improvements
Release in English and Spanish
GOLDENDALE — Klickitat County Health Department (KCHD) was notified June 9 that the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7, commonly known as the UK variant, has been identified in Klickitat County, according to a press release.
This year our dine and drink business locations throughout the Gorge have suffered with closures. You can help support your favorites by purchasing take out and gift cards. Many of these business will offer curb-side delivery and some will deliver to your home. Let’s keep the Gorge going strong!
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