Oregon Governor Kate Brown offered a glimpse of a framework for reopening various parts of the state and the economy during a Tuesday press conference, but didn’t present specifics or any kind of timeline. Brown said it would be a science based approach that would be gradual and careful, and certain pre-requisites would have to be completed including slowing the growth of the COVID-19 virus, providing for adequate personal protective equipment, and establishing a “robust” public health framework that included ramping up testing capacity, a contact tracing system, and an effective quarantine and isolation program for people who test positive. Brown says she is going to be gathering more input from health professionals, local governments, and business representatives. Brown repeatedly turned down journalists’ request for more specific timelines and metrics. She did say it is likely that rural Oregon communities, including their hospitals and clinics, may be allowed to resume near-normal operations before urban and suburban areas. State epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger said Oregon will not lift all restrictions in a single day but will do so in stages.
No new local cases of COVID-19 had been reported Tuesday by local officials. Klickitat County has reported 14 positive tests during the outbreak, with Wasco County listing ten, Hood River County four, Skamania County three, and Sherman County one. Klickitat County has reported the only two deaths to result from COVD-19 in the region. Wasco County has tallied 333 negative COVID-19 tests, Hood River County 308, Klickitat County 247, and Skamania County 45. The Oregon Health Authority listed 49 new COVID-19 cases in an update of statewide numbers Tuesday, moving the total to 1,633. The death count went up by two to 55. In Washington, 10,538 cases of COVID-19 have been detected, with 516 deaths. Oregon reports it has received 30,730 negative tests, while Washington has not updated their count of negative tests for a few days.
The state of emergency for the City of The Dalles has been extended for another two weeks to May 1. It had been set to expire on April 17, but City Manager Julie Krueger has the ability to extend the state of emergency in two-week increments as long as COVID-19 continues to pose an on-going threat to the health and safety of the City. The state of emergency declaration will be re-evaluated again on the week of April 27 to determine if an additional extension will be required. The Dalles city staff continue to respond to voicemails and emails as quickly as possible during this time.
The Dalles Public Works Department announced the 2020 Community Clean Up has been cancelled. In a statement, the department said to maintain social distancing and minimize the possible spread of COVID-19, it made the decision to cancel the 33rd annual event. Public Works also reminded people that now is not the time to take yard debris and large items to The Dalles Disposal transfer site. The department hopes to hold the event again in 2021.
The Mid-Columbia Economic Resiliency Team is trying to help area businesses get through the COVID-19 crisis. Mt. Adams Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tammara Tippel says the team consists of anyone in the region who wants to be a voice on how to strategize to create economic opportunities in the Mid-Columbia area. She adds the group is open to more people taking part, with Jacque Schei at Mid-Columbia Economic Development District the contact person. MCEDD also has resources related to employment, commerce, and economic development posted at their website, mcedd.org.
Klickitat County officials are reminding people not to call 9-1-1 to report suspected violations of Governor Jay Inslee’s order to avoid public gatherings and limiting going out to essential activities or employment in essential services. If the report is about an individual or private group not following the proclamation, call Klickitat County dispatch at 509-773-4545. If it is about a business, go to coronavirus.wa.gov to fill out a form to be forwarded to the appropriate agency. People can still participate in activities such as bike rides, gardening, and dog walking — as long as they follow social distancing rules and stay within their local area.
Skamania County is implementing a temporary emergency ban on small debris burning beginning Tuesday and continuing through next Wednesday, April 22. All issued small debris burn permits in Skamania County will be temporarily invalid and there will not be any new small debris burn permits issued until the temporary small debris ban has been lifted. The projected end date could be extended if weather conditions continue. A statement from the Skamania County Fire Marshal’s office cited dry weather conditions and low humidity. In addition, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources will go to a moderate fire danger level for all lands protected by the DNR. Written permits issued by the DNR for silvicultural burning are only valid at low fire danger.
Latest numbers for COVID-19 cases in the Mid-Columbia region show Klickitat County is at 14 cases as of Monday afternoon, 12 of which are in the central part of the county, and the other two in the western zone. Wasco County is at ten cases, Hood River County remains at four cases, Skamania County three, Sherman County one, and Gilliam County zero. There have been 315 negative COVID-19 tests in Wasco County, 289 in Hood River County, 240 in Klickitat County, and 45 in Skamania County. The Oregon Health Authority released its latest statewide numbers this afternoon, with 57 new COVID-19 cases confirmed, 36 in Multnomah and Washington counties, and one additional death reported. That brings the statewide totals to 1,584 confirmed cases, and 53 deaths. OHA statistics show 23 percent of the COVID-19 cases reported required hospitalization, and there have been 29,537 negative tests. In Washington, the latest statewide numbers from the Department of Health show 10,411 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 508 deaths, and 83,391 negative tests.
A closure of County forestlands has led to more bicycling taking place on roads throughout the Hood River Valley. County Commission Chair Mike Oates says for the most part the forestland closure has been adhered to, adding the increase bicycle traffic on the roads can be managed. He asked both motorists and bicyclists to be aware of each other and share the roads. Oates says County officials are working on how to put together a budget process for the 2020-21 Fiscal Year through all that is currently going on. Hood River County already was in the midst of a budgetary crisis before the pandemic, and has a public safety levy on the May 19 ballot. Local governments have to have budgets prepared by June 30.
Oregon businesses who missed the opportunity to apply for SAIF’s coronavirus worker safety fund have a second chance after the fund reopened with an additional $15 million. The fund was closed five business days after its launch on March 31 after more than 1,300 businesses applied and used the initial $10 million available. The fund is designed to support employee safety, reduce injuries, and decrease exposures by helping businesses impacted by the coronavirus. More than 53,000 SAIF policyholders across the state are eligible for funds. SAIF recommends policyholders submit applications as soon as possible, given how quickly the initial funding was exhausted. The agency does not anticipate additional funding. SAIF policyholders who previously applied do not need to apply again, as applications are still being processed from the first round of funding.
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