Two COVID-19 testing research studies have begun in The Dalles this week at the North Central Public Health District office.  Oregon Health Sciences University research coordinator Laura Ferrera says the goal of the research project is to create a reliable, self-serve COVID test that people could operate themselves at venues such as at sports bars or airports.  She adds researchers hope to get 100 local participants in the study.  The larger study is open to anyone 18 and older, regardless of whether they’ve had COVID or been vaccinated.  It asks people to complete a survey and provide either a saliva sample and a nasal COVID-19 test, or two nasal COVID tests. The nasal tests are not the deep probe swab, nor are they the shallow swab.  They are midway between the two.  Researchers, who speak English and Spanish, will be in The Dalles most weekdays for the next two weeks, and will take walk-in or scheduled appointments.  To participate, call 503-593-3076 or email RADxOregon@ohsu.edu.  Participants receive a $50 VISA gift card.  The study is funded by the National Institute of Health, and Oregon Health & Science is partnering with NCPHD in The Dalles and One Community Health in Hood River on the research.  The two study sites in the Gorge are the only rural study sites in the nation.  The saliva and nasal samples collected will go into a biorepository bank at the University of Massachusetts.