A unified COVID-19 command of government officials, first responders, and health experts has been put together to coordinate plans, supplies and resources for Wasco, Gilliam and Sherman Counties.  Wasco County Emergency Management, Wasco County Sheriff’s Department, City of The Dalles, North Central Public Health District and Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue are the main partner, and will be working to share the most current information available.  The unified command says residents can call 211 for general information about COVID-19, and for information about efforts in Wasco, Sherman and Gilliam Counties contact their COVID-19 Joint Information Center at 541-370-1380.  For medical questions about COVID-19, call 541-464-6550 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., seven days a week.  If you are experiencing symptoms that involve fever, cough or shortness of breath, contact your primary care provider, and only use 911 for emergencies.  Follow “Wasco County, Oregon – COVID 19 Information Center” on Facebook for the latest local information.

The Klickitat County Public Health Department on Saturday confirmed the third and fourth cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).  Klickitat County Emergency Management said in a statement that both cases are a potential for community spread in the central region of Klickitat County.  If you display symptoms of Covid-19, including fever of over 100.4 degrees, cough, or shortness of breath, please contact your healthcare provider or the Klickitat Valley Hospital Nurse Helpline at 509-773-4029.  The Klickitat County Emergency Operations Center along with the Klickitat County Health Department is working with the Washington State Department of Health, Local Medical Providers, and Emergency Management to identify and contact all those who may have come in contact with the confirmed cases.  Those individuals will be monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms.  Resources available within Klickitat County include the Skyline Hospital screening tool available on their website at myskylinehealth.org and the KVH Nurse Helpline at 509-773-4029.  Oregon reported 23 additional cases on Saturday to bring the stateide total to 137, plus a fourth death.  There have been no cases reported in Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, or Skamania counties.

A number of school districts in the area will continue to provide meals for children ages 1-to-18 while schools are closed during the coronavirus crisis.  North Wasco County School District 21 will continue to provide meals as a grab and go option from 11 a.m. to noon Mondays through Fridays at Chenowith Elementary School and The Dalles Middle School, including during next week’s originally scheduled spring vacation period.

 

The Hood River County School District and the City of Hood River announced there will be free to-go meals for children ages 1-to-18 this week, during what would have been spring break for schools.  Meals will be available at Mid-Valley and May Street elementary schools Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to noon.  They will also be distributed at 330 Cascade Avenue at Hood River Mobile Manor from 9:45 a.m. to 10 a.m., at 1823 Cascade behind El Rinconcito Taqueria from 10:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and 955 Sieverkropp across the street from Sieverkropp Apartments from 10:45 a.m. to 11 a.m.  Local Rhoots and Riverside at Hood River Inn are partnering with the City and the school district in this effort.

 

The Hood River County School District will serve grab and go breakfasts and lunches at outside entrances to Cascade Locks, May Street, Mid-Valley, and Parkdale elementary schools and Hood River Valley High School from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. from March 30 to April 28.  Drop sites are also being added at Hood River Mobile Manor on 3300 Cascade from 9:45 a.m. to 10 a.m., at 1823 Cascade behind El Riconcito Taqueria from 10:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and at 955 Sieverkropp across from the Sierverkropp Apartments from 10:45 a.m. to 11 a.m.

           

The Stevenson-Carson School District is delivering meals via school bus routes or for pickup at its schools between 10 a.m. and noon.

           

The White Salmon Valley School District will be offering breakfasts and lunch for pickup on weekdays through April 24 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Whitson Elementary School and Columbia High School…and at all bus stops district-wide with deliveries at the two-hour late start pickup time.

Hood River County Commissioners decided unanimously to keep the County’s proposed public safety levy measure on the May 19 ballot.  Commissioners held an emergency meeting on Thursday to discuss whether the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis and whether property taxpayers could afford the levy of 78 cents per thousand dollars of assessed property value.  But Commission Chair Mike Oates says the current situation illustrates the need to keep the County’s public safety and emergency services properly funded.  Oates added the measure would help stabilize the County’s health department by taking some of the pressure off the general fund.

The Dalles City Council approved its emergency declaration Friday during a virtual meeting.   City Manager Julie Krueger says it mirrors what other cities have done in the state of Oregon, which puts the City in line to receive financial reimbursements from federal and state governments.  During the COVID-19 event city offices will be closed to the public during normal business hours.  Staff will be available via email, telephone and online service.

 

The Oregon Employment Department has enacted temporary rules to provide unemployment benefits to COVID-19 affected workers.  Department communications director Gail Krumenauer says those who have experienced an employment disruption related to COVID-19 should go online to oregon.gov/employ to start their initial unemployment insurance claim, and there is also a resource guide available to help guide those with questions.  Claims can also be filed by phone to 877-FILE-4-UI.  Krumenauer noted employers looking to retain workers may want to take advantage of the state’s workshare program to reduce hours and give partial unemployment insurance benefits to affected employees.

Public Works departments are asking people not to flush used disposable wipes down the toilet.  Wipes can clog sewer pipes and pumping systems, leading to backups and costly damage to homes and businesses and health hazards due to sewage overflow.  Removing clogs in a building’s sewer pipe is the owner’s responsibility.  Throw used disposable wipes in the trash instead of flushing them down the toilet.

North Central Public Health District has made changes to how it provides some services due to COVID-19.  The walk-in clinic is still open and walk-in services and scheduled appointments are still available.  However, if the service doesn’t require a physical visit, such as for birth control refills and emergency contraception, people are encouraged to call instead to 541-506-2600.  The health district asks that only the client who is receiving services enters the building.  Services to WIC clients and home nursing visits are being offered over the phone.  For environmental health services, such as restaurant and food cart licensing, septic systems or drinking water, please call 541-506-2629 for questions or guidance before coming into the office.  At this time North Central Public Health District is not testing for COVID-19.   Contact your physician for guidance.

Mt. Hood Meadows has decided to suspend operations for the season.  In a statement on its website, Meadows officials indicated that it is in best interest of guests, employees, and the community to stop operating.  They indicated that several options for continued operations were considered, and it is possible they could implement a limited operation before the end of the season.  In their statement, Meadows officials said they are paying seasonal team members through March 27.  Timberline and Mt. Hood Ski Bowl have also suspended operations.

The Klickitat County Department of Health today announced it has confirmed a second case of  2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) within the County.  According to a statement from Klickitat County Emergency Management, this second patient is not considered to be a high risk for community transmission, and is self-quarantined and self-isolated at home.  The Klickitat County Emergency Operations Center along with the Klickitat County Health Department is working with the Washington State Department of Health, local medical providers, and Emergency Management to identify and contact all those who may have come in contact with the confirmed case.  Those individuals will be monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms.  Klickitat County identified its first coronavirus case on Saturday, and there have been no other cases reported in Columbia Gorge counties.  Klickitat Valley Health has implemented a COVID-19 nurse helpline to assist with the screening of patients that are experiencing symptoms.