Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital has put up its surge tent outside of the emergency room in preparation for whatever they might encounter in coming weeks.  The tent is about 34 feet by 18 feet in size.  Providence spokesperson Susan Frost says they are looking at all of their assets to determine how they can be deployed if they experience a surge of patients.  Mid-Columbia Medical Center announced Tuesday it has partnered with national health technology company Amwell to offer online doctor’s visits to patients so certain medical conditions can be addressed without the patient leaving home.  Amwell’s secure technology makes it possible to see an MCMC provider on a smartphone, desktop or telephone, and providers can look, listen and engage with patients to diagnose health concerns and provide an effective treatment plan.  Telemedicine visits are available by appointment only through an MCMC provider.

The Dalles Mayor Rich Mays says the City is acting in a support role for the various agencies dealing with the COVID-19 crisis.  Mays is urging citizens to abide by the social distancing measures that have been put in place by Governor Kate Brown.  Mays noted his experience in communicating with citizens had been positive.  The mayor emphasized the more people stay home, the quicker we can get through this crisis and get life back to normal.

Hood River Adopt A Dog has set up a Community Pet Food Pantry to assist those in the Hood River community suffering from economic hardship due to mandated measures to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.  Donations of unopened dog/cat food and litter may be dropped off at the Hukari Animal Shelter in Odell in the Dog House Drop Bin during regular business hours, Monday through Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.  Pick-up of food for those in need is Monday through Sunday between noon and 4 p.m. at the shelter.  Please take only what you need for the short-term, Hood River Adopt-A-Dog will be refilling this daily to ensure everyone is able to get the food and support they need for the pets.  If you would like to contribute to the Community Pet Food Pantry, you can donate online either at hoodriveradoptadog.org or at Hood River Adopt-A-Dog’s Facebook page.

Klickitat County Emergency Operations Center and the County’s Public Health Department confirmed the 5^th case of COVID-19 on Monday night.  According to Klickitat County Emergency Management, the patient is considered low risk to the community and has self-quarantined with no close contacts since the first onset of symptoms.  The fifth case is in Klickitat County “Central Zone,” as were the previous two cases reported over the weekend.  Klickitat County is using its burn ban zones as identifiers of the general area of the County COVID-19 cases are being discovered.  The County continues to emphasize the importance of physical distancing and prohibiting all social gatherings to prevent the spread of the virus.  Each potential exposure stresses the healthcare system and places higher demands on personal protective equipment and healthcare workers.

A 23-year-old Washougal hiker had to be rescued after falling and going over Spirit Falls on the Little White Salmon River near Cook on Saturday.  According to the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office…Rachel E. Goodwin was raised back up to the top of the falls with the help of the Skamania County Search and Rescue…Skamania County EMS…and the Clark County Technical Rescue Team.  Goodwin was taken to Peace Health Salmon Creek for treatment of mild hypothermia.  The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office noted the County’s government and residents are taking the COVID-19 pandemic seriously and making changes to everyday lives so we can remain healthy and happy…and is strongly suggesting visitors to their community do the same.

Hood River County will be closing its office doors to the public effective Tuesday.  County departments will continue to do business but by appointment only and by phone or email to the extent possible.  Social distancing measures will be strictly adhered to.  For the past two weeks most, county departments have been operating in this manner, short of having the doors locked.  This directive will extend until such time as conditions exist to allow the County to reopen its facilities to the public.  County Administrator Jeff Hecksel indicated as the response to this pandemic evolves, the County will need to continue to adjust, and there will likely be further changes.  Visit the Hood River County website for county department contact information.

Governor Kate Brown ordered Oregonians to stay home Monday and banned all non-essential gatherings and travel to try to slow the spread of the new coronavirus after crowds of people descended on the state’s beach towns and hiking trails over the weekend despite pleas to stay home.  The crowds prompted several coastal towns to order non-residents out and shut down hotels and short-term rentals. More than two dozen mayors of cities in the Portland metropolitan area also petitioned Brown over the weekend to take stricter action on social distancing.  Brown said she was particularly upset to see Oregonians flocking to places such as Smith Rock State Park and the Columbia River Gorge.

 

Oregon has had five deaths from COVID-19 and 191 confirmed cases, including 30 new cases which were reported by the Oregon Health Authority, one of which was in Hood River County, which the County’s Public Health Department had confirmed on Sunday.

 

Brown’s order closes businesses where close personal contact is unavoidable, such as arcades, barber shops, hair salons, nail salons, gyms and fitness studios, skating rinks, theaters and yoga studios. Also closed are outdoor playgrounds, sport courts and public and private campgrounds. It also closes malls and retail complexes, bowling alleys, pool halls, swimming pools and amusement parks.

 

Essential retail businesses that remain open, such as grocery stores and pharmacies, bu Brown says they must enforce social distancing measures of six feet or more between customers. Bars, restaurants and coffee shops can continue to serve takeout and delivery, but will remain closed for dine-in service.

 

Hiking trails will remain open but the order gives the state authority to close them immediately if crowds of people show up that prevent social distancing of six feet.

 

Violation of the order is a misdemeanor, although state officials said they were relying on Oregonians to comply on their own.

 

The order also outlines new guidelines for child care facilities. Day cares must keep children in groups of 10 or fewer students to limit the number of contacts. Day care facilities that remain open must also prioritize the children of first responders, doctors, nurses and other critical medical workers when accepting children for care.

Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital is implementing an “entry control point” process and limiting access to the hospital to three doors.  Caregivers will take the temperature of every person who enters the facility to prevent individuals with temperatures over 100.4 degrees from entering.   Please use the main lobby, ER or Cancer Center doors for entry.  After the temperature scan, entrants will have a sticker with the date to wear throughout the day.  All caregivers are asked to use one of our three entrances.   The hospital is also beginning to assemble its surge tent, in case it is necessary for future use. 

All City of The Dalles Offices are closed as of Monday at 5:00pm until further notice.  This includes walk in traffic to the Police Department.  All essential services for the health and wellbeing of the public will continue.  In case of a Water or Sewer Emergency please call 541-980-980-7703.  City staff will be working remotely and responding to voicemails and email.  Please check the City’s website for a list of emails and phone numbers by department at www.thedalles.org. Parking tickets and Municipal Court fines can be made online at https://www.thedalles.org/OnlinePayments.  Anyone unable to make a payment due to the virus or office closures can defer through the end of the state of emergency with no penalty, interest or charges.  All utilities and other services will continue regardless of a customer’s ability to make payment.  During this time, there will be no Municipal Court appearances.  Water & Sewer billing can be paid online at thedalles.org/OnlinePayments.  If you need assistance please call 541-296-5481 ext 1111 and leave a message.

Klickitat County Emergency Management Director Jeff King says he believes the County has been working for weeks to be ready for a potential surge in COVID-19 cases, and is better off than most counties as far as the supplies that are needed for medical personnel to deal with it.  King says the County’s Emergency Operations Center has been coordinating communication with hospitals, medical clinics, and the County Public Health Department for weeks, and they have been managing and accumulating personal protective equipment during that time.  King added Klickitat County’s business community has come together to help support first responders and medical staff to ensure they are protected.  He also said those who would like to donate can contact the Klickitat County Emergency Operations Center at 509-773-0570.