COVID-19 — Free Local News ⭑ The Dalles, Hood River, Dufur, Columbia Gorge, White Salmon, Goldendale & More — Columbia Community Connection News

Education, Wasco County, Positive News

After careful consideration, North Wasco County School District will be moving to make masks optional for students and staff in our school buildings and district properties on March 14th.

Feb 9

Feb 9 Free Home COVID Test Kits Now Available three-county area

North Central Public Health District has distributed about 1,500 FREE home COVID-19 test kits to a number of entities in Wasco, Sherman, and Gilliam counties to be further distributed to the community. We also have test kits available for the public at our office.

Jan 12

Jan 12 COVID pushes hospitals to capacity; Canyon Rim in Maupin endures outbreak

Hospitalization rates are rapidly climbing in Oregon and in the Gorge as COVID cases spike. Now is the time to get vaccinated if you haven’t -- and get your booster dose if you haven’t. Case in point, Canyon Rim Assisted Living in Maupin had been COVID free until an outbreak last week.

Dec 22

Dec 22 Wasco County has 48th death from COVID

North Central Public Health District

The person developed symptoms on Dec. 8, was diagnosed with COVID and admitted to Mid-Columbia Medical Center on Dec. 11, and passed away Dec. 15.

Dec 9

Dec 9 Dr. says hard to witness the unvaccinated die without family at their side

Home Page, Education

In one stretch of the Delta surge, Dr. Tom Nichol has treated 17 patients in a row for COVID who were unvaccinated. Some of them died. It “was a really hard thing for me to see people marching on to die from this who would have survived if they’d had a vaccine.”

Dec 3

Dec 3 Students exposed to COVID have new tool to stay in school

Education, Home Page

Students who are exposed to COVID are now being allowed to stay in school through a new program that monitors through testing.

Sep 10

Sep 10 Local Schools report 19 cases of COVID during 7-day period

Education, Home Page

Between Sept. 1 and Sept. 8, schools in Wasco and Sherman counties reported 19 cases of COVID-19. School-based cases can be reported among students, staff or volunteers. None were due to transmission in the school setting.

Sep 7

Sep 7 Riverhawks Football Friday Game Canceled, Will Play New Team Saturday

Xavier Orion-Olaez

Home Page, Sports, The Dalles

Due to team ( St. Helens team) quarantine, the previously scheduled game with St. Helens at St. Helens this coming Friday, September 10th has been canceled. The JV2 football game has also been canceled with St. Helens.

Aug 27

Aug 27 COVID sick turn to animal dewormer; poison control center calls spike

Locally, Coastal Farm & Ranch in The Dalles has put up signs warning that its ivermectin products are for animal use only. The sign says, in part, “Despite media reports that Ivermectin could potentially be used to treat people with Covid-19, these products are not safe and are not approved for humans.”

Aug 26

Aug 26 Governor Brown Announces Statewide Outdoor Mask Requirements

The Dalles, Home Page

Governor Kate Brown announced new statewide outdoor mask requirements to help stop the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant. Effective Friday, August 27, masks will be required in most public outdoor settings, including large outdoor events, where physical distancing is not possible, and regardless of vaccination status.

Aug 19

Aug 19 MCMC Nurses Rally for Safe Staffing, Better Patient Care, Fair Wages

The Dalles, Home Page

Local nurses held a rally on Aug. 19th, at The Dalles Post Office to push for safe staffing, better patient care, fair wages and respect from Mid-Columbia Medical Center administration. The rally comes after several months of Oregon Nurses Association contract negotiations.

Aug 6

Aug 6 Winners announced in $10k COVID Lottery for Wasco, Sherman & Gilliam counties

North Central Public Health District has announced three winners in the $10,000 COVID-19 lottery held for people willing to get vaccines. They all rolled up a sleeve to become winners. Read More Here.

Aug 2

Aug 2 Younger People Getting COVID Locally in 62-Case Spike

North Central Public Health District

In a recent 8-day period, Wasco County had 62 cases of COVID-19 reported, the vast majority occurring in younger unvaccinated people. It appears the county is following national trends as a resurgence of the disease and its highly contagious Delta variant could bring as many as 300,000 cases per day this month.

May 24

May 24 A Poke Could be Worth a Million Bucks

Home Page, Wasco County

A Poke Could be Worth a Million Bucks. Vaccination rates are expected to increase with an announcement by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown of a $1 million lottery prize open to any Oregonian 18 and older with at least one dose of vaccine by June 27.

May 7

May 7 Civic Duty Just Got Tasty

Home Page, The Dalles, Wasco County

Chelsea Albin of Rivertap shows off a fresh bandaid at Rivertap This morning, May 7. The bar as well as Freebridge Brewing, Bargeway Pub and Sunshine Mill are participating in a mobile vaccination against COVID-19 this evening, Friday, May 7. Participants earn $10 in token to go toward food. Herd immunity just got tasty!

Apr 29

Apr 29 Restaurants React to Indoor Dining Closure

Business, Home Page, The Dalles

Clyde Rosa and Barry Springer move a table outside at Mama Janes this afternoon, Thursday, April 29. A high-risk rating for COVID-19 in Wasco County triggered the elimination of indoor dining starting tomorrow, Friday, April 30.

Apr 27

Apr 27 Indoor Dining to stop Friday as Wasco County moved to 'Extreme Risk'

Home Page, Wasco County

With 74 cases of COVID-19 in Wasco County in the most recent 14-day period, and a rapid surge in cases and hospitalizations statewide, the county is one of 15 moving to the extreme risk category on Friday, April 30.

Apr 21

Apr 21 Indoor dining curtailed as COVID risk goes to 'high'

Business, Environment, Wasco County

North Central Public Health Officer Miriam McDonell announced this morning that Wasco County will move to the high-risk level for COVID-19, requiring restaurants and health facilities to reduce capacities for indoor dining and activities.

Apr 19

Apr 19 Social gatherings threatened by COVID-19 spike