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.

The Oregon Health Authority’s daily report on COVID-19 cases in Wasco County shows a continuing rise as the Delta variant of the virus is outpacing peak numbers from last fall. Wasco County registered 105 cases in the past three days, Aug. 23- Aug. 25.

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.