Commissioners implore the unvaccinated to stay home
Wasco County Commissioner Steve Kramer
By Tom Peterson
Wasco County Commissioner Steve Kramer implored those who are unvaccinated for COVID to use extreme caution today, Sept. 1
Kramer was at Wednesday’s Commission meeting when it was pointed out by Rodger Nichols that there are zero Intensive care unit beds available at Mid-Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles and Providence in Hood River, according to the latest Oregon Health Authority report, dated Aug. 31.
“Another way to look at it is that there are only 3 ICU beds now available in all of Eastern Oregon, Nichols said. “And they are in Pendleton.”
Speaking to the audience of the online meeting, Kramer said, “If you haven’t reconsidered the vaccine folks please do so. It’s proven and it’s scientific. - Think about your neighbors. Think about your friends. Think about your family.”
The worry is that if COVID is spread too widely among those who are unvaccinated, there will not be enough ICU hospital beds to treat those patients needing the highest level of care.
Information from OHA update on Aug. 31. This graph shows there are no ICU beds in region 6 - the area encompassing The Dalles and Hood River.
People with vaccinations can have breakthrough cases of COVID, but are far less likely to be hospitalized.
ICU beds are where those stricken hardest by COVID are treated as the disease affects breathing and patients often need a ventilator.
Commissioner Kathy Schwartz added,” It is hitting right here at home now. Those who are not vaccinated stay home as much as possible, avoid gatherings… adhere to masking and social distancing - and we all need to wash hands way more.”
Commissioner Scott Hege said Oregon, overall, has the least amount of hospital beds per capita at about 1.6 per thousand.
“It only takes a few days to go to fully utilized,” he said of ICU beds, noting there were less than 20 available.
