Hospitalization rates are rapidly climbing in Oregon and in the Gorge as COVID cases spike. On Jan. 3, there were two people with COVID in the hospitals in The Dalles and Hood River, according to North Central Public Health District (NCPHD). A week later, on Jan. 10, there were 13.

Wasco County remains in the “extreme risk” category due to community spread of COVID-19, but a recent and significant drop in positive cases means the county will move down at least to the “high risk” category next week, and likely to the “moderate risk” category, The North Central Public Health District confirmed Friday.

A third person has died from COVID-19 in Wasco County, the North Central Public Health District announced July 17, that death having occurred July 15.