The Portland District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has closed all of its recreation sites to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  The closures support the State of Oregon’s executive order to avoid unnecessary travel and practice social distancing, and also help to reduce pressure on local emergency services at a time when their capacity is lower and their focus is COVID-19.  The Corps is implementing closures by posting signs and closing gates at Portland District recreation areas located in Oregon and Washington.  The closures will remain in effect until further notice. Individuals with paid campground reservations will be contacted by email and full refunds will automatically be processed by Recreation.gov with no cancellation fees.  Individuals should not attempt to contact Recreation.gov to request a refund as that will lead to a cancellation fee being charged.

The director of Oregon’s Office of Emergency Management says they are exploring every possible avenue to keep acquiring Personal Protective Equipment for first responders.  Andrew Phelps says they are doing procurement themselves at the state level, working with federal sources, and taking donations.  Phelps said they’ll keep buying PPE for as long as it takes to meet the need, but adds it’s not easy to find.  He added they will keep buying PPE where they can until told by those who use it that they have everything they need.  Monday the Oregon Health Authority reported 58 new cases of COVID-19, bring the statewide total to 606.  The OHA also said there were three more fatalities as a result of the virus, all men aged 80 or older in western Oregon with underlying health conditions.

While maintaining social distance requirements is a big reason for the closure of nearly all public lands in the region, but it’s not the only reason.  Rachel Pawlitz of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area says another reason is to take pressure off emergency responders, adding the last thing they need right now is people trying to go out into the backcountry and put themselves in a risky position.  Pawlitz adds a number of search and rescue organizations in the region are issuing a “stay home” message to prevent having to make rescues at this time.

Two food pantries in The Dalles remain open, while several other new pantries have opened throughout Wasco County.  Columbia Gorge Food Bank director Sharon Thornberry says The Salvation Army food pantry at 623 East 3^rd is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and the Columbia Gorge Community College Chinook food pantry is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.  Thornberry indicates in a Facebook post that the Windy River Gleaners and St. Vincent de Paul Society food pantries were closed because social distancing cannot be maintained at those locations.  Distribution sites in Maupin, Wamic, Mosier and Dufur have been added, and more information on the location and time of those pantries is available at the “Columbia Gorge Food Bank” Facebook page, or call 541-370-2333.  The food pantry in Rufus has open hours.  Gilliam County has switched to a pre-packed food box which can be picked up curbside or delivered by Gilliam County Transportation.   To request delivery in Condon, call 541-626-1038 or 541-993-7699.  In Arlington, call 541-454-2885 or 541-454-5451.  Thornberry says those who would like to donate cash or gift cards can mail the to 3610 Crates Way in The Dalles, and donations of peanut butter, cereal, and snacks for kids can be dropped off at Columbia Gorge Toyota on 1900 West 6th in The Dalles.  Thornberry adds food boxes distributed typically have three to five days’ worth of food in them, and that they have plenty of food and more is coming.

Klickitat County officials have reported the fatality in the Mid-Columbia region resulting from COVID-19.   The County’s Emergency Management and Public Health Department made the announcement Saturday night, saying the individual had tested positive and then treated outside of Klickitat County.  There have been seven COVID-19 cases reported in Klickitat County.  Also on Saturday evening, Hood River County reported its second case of COVID-19.  Hood River County Health Department Director Patricia Elliott says that person is self-isolating at home.  Health officials have notified close contacts of the infected person, and there have been minimal contacts in the community.  Earlier Saturday, two more cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Wasco County, bringing the total number to four.  A statement from the unified command team for Wasco, Sherman, and Gilliam counties indicated both individuals have been in isolation at home.  Infection appears to be from community transmission.  The Oregon Health Authority today reported 65 new cases of COVID-19 statewide, bringing the state total to 479.  On Friday, OHA senior health advisor Dawn Mautner said the number of confirmed cases is rising, but added that was expected with increased testing, and the key numbers are hospitalizations.   Statistics from the OHA today showed 117 of the confirmed cases have required hospitalization, but 96 of the 479 had not reported whether hospitalization was required or not.  31 of the patients are on a ventilator, and the state has 746 available.   The 13th COVID-19 death in Oregon was reported Saturday, a 93-year-old man in Yamhill County with underlying medical conditions.   Washington has reported 3,700 cases, with 147 deaths, 125 of those in King County.

The House of Representatives gave near-unanimous approval Friday to historic legislation designed to prevent the economy from collapsing and rush resources to overburdened health care providers and struggling families during the deepening coronavirus epidemic.  The unprecedented $2.2 trillion relief package passed the chamber by voice vote after an impassioned session conducted along the social distancing guidelines imposed by the crisis.   Oregon Second District Congressman Greg Walden said it was time to act, adding Americans expected Congress to act in a bipartisan manner.  Many lawmakers sped to Washington to participate — their numbers swollen after a maverick Republican signaled he’d try to force a roll call vote — though dozens of others remained safely in their home districts.  The vote sent the bill to President Donald Trump, who quickly signed it.  The Senate passed the bill unanimously late Wednesday.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Checklist for Small Businesses for Coronavirus Small Business Loans.

The Oregon Health Authority reported 98 new cases of COVID-19 today, bringing the state total to 414.  OHA senior health advisor Dawn Mautner said the number of confirmed cases is rising, but said that was expected, and increased testing is a big reason why.  She added the key numbers are hospitalizations.  Statistics from the OHA today showed 102 of the confirmed cases have required hospitalization, but 94 of the 414 had not reported whether hospitalization was required or not.  31 of the patients are on a ventilator, and the state has 715 available.  The 12th COVID-19 death in Oregon was reported, an 82-year-old woman in Marion County with underlying medical conditions.  Washington has reported 3,207 cases, with 147 deaths.

FISH Food Bank is temporarily discontinuing Saturday distributions at its Hood River location in order to properly clean and sanitize our building and equipment between food distributions,   FISH Food Bank’s Tucker Road location will continue to be open on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  Those with questions can call 541-490-5109.

Many boat access sites have been closed or will be closed soon on the Deschutes and John Day Rivers.  The Oregon Marine Board will be temporarily closing stretches of the rivers to all boating beginning on Saturday.  The restrictions are scheduled to be in place through April 30 and will protect boaters from entering a river system where the availability of access and take-out points is uncertain.  All boating activities on the Deschutes River will be restricted from the Pelton Dam at River Mile 97 to its confluence with the Columbia River near Biggs Junction.   The temporary closure on the John Day River extends from the mouth of the North Fork John Day River in Kimberly, downstream to Tumwater Falls, about 10 miles from the Columbia River.

Klickitat County Emergency Management, Washington Gorge Action Programs, and multiple volunteer groups have organized a delivery service for County residents in quarantine, isolation, or are in a high risk and vulnerable population in need of groceries and other necessary supplies.  Those wishing to access the service can call the WAGAP call center at 509-493-2662 or 800-755-1192 for assistance in setting up delivery service.  After the initial setup call, the customer then orders the groceries from a participating store, and then once again contacts WAGAP’s call center with the pick-up details.  Goldendale Market Fresh and Holcomb’s Sentry in Goldendale are participating stores.  Delivery personnel are First Responders from various local fire departments, the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Posse, and Klickitat County Search and Rescue.