Columbia Basin Care has Sixth COVID Death; vaccinated Elderly struggle with Delta variant

From North Central Public Health:

Sadly, we are reporting that a sixth person has died of COVID-19 during an outbreak at Columbia Basin Care in The Dalles.

The person died on Aug. 14.

It is the 37th such death in Wasco County. 

Five others at the facility died between Aug. 4-11. 

On Thursday, Aug. 19, the facility reported it had five residents who are post-20 days COVID positive with no symptoms. Eleven residents are still COVID positive and in varying stages of recovery. 

Ten staff are still out due to positive tests. Five have made a full recovery and are back to work. 

Most of the residents and many of the staff at the facility who tested positive were vaccinated. July breakthrough data in Oregon shows the median age for breakthrough cases was 83. The ability to fight off infection is less robust in the elderly. 

Vaccines remain the best tool to combat COVID. The vast majority of people getting COVID are unvaccinated. Vaccines are available on a walk-in basis at all pharmacies in The Dalles and at Murray’s Condon Pharmacy in Condon. Mid-Columbia Medical Center, Deschutes Rim Clinic and One Community Health also offer vaccines. 

To book a vaccine appointment with North Central Public Health District in The Dalles, call 541-506-2600. Wasco County residents get a $50 VISA card for the first dose. 

(For more information, please visit COVID-19 Vaccine in Oregon, contact North Central Public Health District at (541) 506-2600, visit us on the web at www.ncphd.org or find us on Facebook.) 

From Columbia Basin Care:
Here are the series of letters Columbia Basin Care has put out to keep the public informed about the health of residents and staff: 

Monday, August 16, 2021

Columbia Basin Executive Dir. Jasen Tennison

With heavy hearts we report 1 new resident death. Since our Covid outbreak has started we have lost 6 residents. Our deepest sympathy goes out to the families and friends of these individuals, we will miss them as well.

We currently have 16 Covid positive residents in various stages of recovery. Fifteen of the Covid positive residents are fully vaccinated. Five of the 6 who passed away were also fully vaccinated.

We have 14 staff out due to Covid positive results. Nine of them have been vaccinated.

Thank you for your support as our residents and staff members continue to recover.

Thank you,

Jasen Tennison | Executive Director

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Today we have some good news to share. Our first Covid positive resident has made a full recovery and has transitioned out of our Covid Recovery Unit. Thank you so much for your notes and posts of support for our residents and families, and encouragement for our staff working diligently to nurse our residents back to health.

This has meant so much.

Our current number of Covid positive residents in various stages of recovery remains at 16, with 15 of them fully vaccinated. The number of deaths remains at 6.

Fourteen of our staff are still out due to COVID positive results, with 9 of them fully vaccinated. We are thankful for and appreciate all the people and organizations who have, and continue to assist us as we navigate our way through this outbreak.

Thank you,

Jasen Tennison | Executive Director

Thursday, August 19, 2021

We have encouraging news to share. Today we have 5 residents who are post 20 days Covid positive with no symptoms. Plans are now being made to start moving our post 20 days Covid positive residents out of the Covid Recovery Unit on Monday. Eleven residents are still Covid positive and in varying stages of recovery. There are no new deaths.

Ten of our staff are still out due to COVID positive results. Five have made a full recovery and have been able to return to work.

Thank you so much for your notes and posts of support for our residents and their families, and encouragement for our staff working diligently to nurse our residents back to health. This has meant so much to all of us.

We are also grateful for, and appreciate, all the people and organizations who have, and continue to, assist us as we navigate our way through this outbreak.

Thank you,

Jasen Tennison | Executive Director

Monday, August 23, 2021

We are pleased to report residents are moving out of active monitoring and staff are being cleared to return to work. At this time, we have 4 residents who remain in active monitoring and 2 staff members who are recovering at home under strict infection control guidelines. 

We want to thank our staff for all their hard work and dedication to the residents, resident families for their understanding and support, and the community for sending well wishes during this time. During this pandemic, it truly takes a community.

COVID-19 is still spreading, and we encourage you to continue with standard precautions, wear a mask, wash your hands, avoid large crowds and gather outdoors.