Social gatherings threatened by COVID-19 spike
From North Central Public Health with additions by Tom Peterson
A third surge of COVID-19 cases has begun in Wasco County, threatening to curtail gatherings, in-door dining and shopping, among other group activities, according to local health officials.
Wasco County has been in the low-risk category for COVID, allowing for 50 percent capacity for in-dining at restaurants, for example.
However, the County’s COVID cases went to 43 between April 4 and April 16, moving Wasco county up at least to moderate risk if not high. In comparison, Wasco County had just 22 cases in all of March.
North Central Public Health Officials are expected to announce the new level today, Monday, April 19, and social limitations connected with those risks will go into effect on Friday, April 23.
North Central Public Health District Epidemiologist Jeremy Hawkins said roughly a third of the current cases are from a single outbreak. All of the cases now occurring are driven primarily by spread within households and people attending gatherings of all sizes, he said.
“Early indications are that this is the start of what I would consider locally here our third surge of cases,” Hawkins said. “That would certainly track well with what’s happening around the state and country.”
Dufur School
Dufur School remained closed to in-student learning this week after a student tested positive for COVID-19 the second week of April, according to a letter from Superintendent Jack Henderson. The school intends to examine the situation again on Friday, April 23, and make a decision on whether to reopen the following week.
Hawkins is hopeful vaccination efforts “will help blunt this surge. We’ve already seen a couple of different scenarios where vaccinations are working. We’ve seen cases where people in households are not getting infected if they’re fully vaccinated. And we’ve seen a couple of instances of people who are pretty vulnerable otherwise who got infected but had one dose of the vaccine and so their symptoms have been pretty minimal. Maybe headaches and a stuffy nose. A cold essentially.”
Vaccinations and Pizza
On Friday, April 23, North Central Public Health will hold a Pfizer vaccine clinic for 16 and 17-year-olds and their families at Wahtonka Field in The Dalles from 4-8 p.m.
The vaccine is safe, effective, and free, according to the North Central press release.
Dubbed “Friday Night Lights!” the Pfizer event will feature music, free pizza, and prizes. The Pfizer vaccine is the only vaccine authorized for use in those 16 and older. North Central Public Health District also has the Moderna vaccine, which is authorized for those 18 and older.
To sign up for the Pfizer event visit https://www.ncphd.org/ to book your own appointment or call 541-506-2600 if you need assistance. The health district also has many openings for Moderna clinics next week.
The Pfizer event has 240 slots, and they are likely to fill fast.
More on Risk Levels
As a county with a 15,000- 30,000 population, the risk is measured by the number of cases within a 14-day period.
Lower risk is less than 30 cases over 14 days. Moderate risk is 30 to 44 cases, and high risk is 45 to 59 cases.
The lower risk category allows 50 percent indoor seating capacity at restaurants and a midnight closure.
Moderate risk also allows 50 percent capacity, but an 11 p.m. closure. The high-risk category is 25 percent indoor capacity and an 11 p.m. closure.
Faith institutions can have 75 percent in-person capacity at the lower risk category, 50 percent in the moderate risk, and 25 percent at high risk. Indoor gyms can have 50 percent capacity at lower and moderate risk and 25 percent at high risk.
Grocery stores and other retail stores can have 75 percent capacity at lower and moderate risk and 50 percent at high risk.
Vaccination remains the best tool to stop the pandemic. Wasco County has vaccinated 34.38 percent of its population. Starting Monday, April 19, everyone 16 and older is eligible for the vaccine. To book an appointment, click here or call 541-506-2600.
