The state of Oregon has the highest percentage in the U.S. of people seeking non-medical exemptions for childhood vaccinations and new data shows that some schools in Hood River County are above that already high state average.

Hospital institutes With H1N1 flu cases on the rise in the state of Oregon, Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital announced Thursday it is instituting new visitor restriction policies in order to help prevent the virus popularly known as “swine flu” from spreading throughout the hospital.

The Hood River County Health Department and the Mid Columbia Center for Living will be providing services at two new healthcare facilities opening up in Cascade Locks and Odell next week.