Fish and wildlife departments in Oregon and Washington are closing recreational salmon and steelhead fisheries in the Columbia River.  Washington’s closure is now in effect, while Oregon’s goes into effect at the end of Thursday.  Oregon and Washington jointly manage fisheries in the mainstem Columbia River bordering both states and seek to have concurrent regulations.   At this time, other ongoing fisheries in Oregon remain unchanged, and fishing for species other than salmon and steelhead will still be allowed in Oregon portions of the Columbia River as described in permanent agency rules.  Anglers are reminded to follow the rules for social distancing and maintain at least 6 feet distance from other people and minimize non-essential travel, as directed in an executive order issued earlier this week by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown.  The Columbia River salmon and steelhead fishing closure will lasting until at least April 8.

The Department of Health and Human Services will award the state of Oregon $3.2 million in funding to help provide meals for older adults.  The funding is being allocated from The Families First Coronavirus Response Act that Congress passed, and the President signed, in early March.  Oregon Second District Congressman Greg Walden said fulfilling the nutritional needs of older adults is especially important as COVID-19 poses an increased risk to their health.

The Oregon Health Authority announced Wasco County’s first presumptive positive case of COVID-19 in a resident of the Oregon Veterans’ Home in The Dalles.  The new case brings Oregon’s total to 266 cases in 20 counties.  North Central Public Health District officials say they are working closely with the Oregon Health Authority to identify any additional cases and protect the residents and staff of the Oregon Veterans’ Home.  The district says the individual is a male resident in the 60-80 year-old range.  He had no known contact with a confirmed case, and had not traveled to a country where the virus is circulating, so the case is being investigated as a community-acquired case.  He has been in isolation since last Thursday.  Wasco, Sherman and Gilliam Counties have formed a Unified Command to respond to COVID-19 challenges in close coordination with Oregon Health Authority.  NCPHD officials say test results are now coming from multiple laboratories and are delivered electronically to providers, counties, and OHA throughout the day.

The Klickitat County Emergency Operations Center in Unified Command with the Klickitat County Public Health Department are pleading with the community to Stay Home, Stay Healthy!   Klickitat County has reported six COVID-19 cases, five in the central portion of the County and another in the western portion.  They are reminding residents about Washington Governor Jay Inslee’s proclamation calling for people to immediately cease leaving their home or place of residence except to conduct or participate in essential activities, or for employment in essential business services.  This prohibition shall remain in effect until at least midnight on April 6.

The Mid-Columbia Senior Center’s Quilters are asking the community to sew handmade face masks for people who come in frequent contact with the public, including our most vulnerable citizens, seniors and immune-compromised individuals.  Drop them off at the Mid-Columbia Senior Center’s front door.  If you are interested in becoming involved with this project, please send an email to rachel.midcolumbiacenter@gmail.com or contact the Center directly at (541) 296-4788.  For more detailed information about how to make a face mask and where to drop them off, go to the Center’s website at www.midcolumbiaseniorcenter.com.

The U.S. Forest Service is closing three trailheads on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.  The three new closures are at Cape Horn Trail, Dog Mountain Trail, and the Lyle Trailhead of Klickitat Trail.  Cape Horn Trail is managed with support from Skamania County, who owns the Park and Ride lot that many use to access the site. Both the county and Cape Horn Conservancy, who helps maintain the trail, reached out to the USFS for support in closing the trail.  Dog Mountain Trail last weekend saw crowds on par with peak season, creating hazards along Highway 14.  Klickitat Trail is a Rails-to-Trails conversion that crosses multiple jurisdictions.  The USFS helps maintain the Lyle Trailhead, which sits on Washington State Park lands.  The closure of the trailhead is consistent with the Washington State Park decision to close all day use areas, including trailheads.  Scenic Area officials continue to evaluate risks at other “close proximity” recreation sites and anticipates more closures and restrictions with little advanced notice.  Updates will be posted on the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area website.

Port of Hood River Commissioners unanimously approved an extension of the seven-day suspension of all tolls on the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge that began last Friday.  Commissioners decided to continue the suspension of tolls for all users until May 1, or at a time that non-BreezeBy payments for tolls can be accepted.  Port and County public health officials have concluded that, since receiving cash payments for tolls in the toll booth would require workers to use Personal Protective Equipment, the cash tolling suspension should continue.  BreezeBy customer accounts will not be charged for tolls during this period.  All vehicle traffic will continue to be directed through the BreezeBy lanes at the toll plaza located on the Oregon side of the bridge.  Port staff will remain available to respond to emergencies or accidents on the bridge during the toll suspension.  All motorists are urged to adhere to the posted speeds on the bridge, especially the 15 mph maximum speed through the Toll Plaza.

Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust has closed its Mosier Plateau and Lyle Cherry Orchards preserves.  Trust Director Dan Bell said in a statement that people at crowded trailheads, parking areas, and overlooks have little opportunity to follow proper social distance guidance.  He said keeping the trails open at this time could present a very real risk to neighbors.  Bell added they will follow the guidance of health officials and work with community partners to determine when it is time to re-open trails on the Trust’s public preserves.

The City of Hood River is ordering all tourism lodging stays to cease immediately.  A statement from the City indicates Mayor Kate McBride made the decision in the wake of visitors flocking to the Columbia River Gorge last weekend despite statewide restrictions on public gatherings.  The order calls for property owners and managers to terminate reasonable steps to have tourist guests vacate by 1 p.m. Thursday.  All short-term rentals are prohibited until the declared emergency officially ends.  There are exceptions for current registered guests who will stay for a minimum of 30 consecutive days, essential personnel, individuals deemed vulnerable by the Hood River County Health Department, and other individuals authorized by the health department.

A National Guard convoy will be travelling the Interstate 84 corridor to La Grande to deliver 150 cots and blankets to a potential COVID-19 shelter.  Guard members are playing an important role assisting the State and Governor Brown to supply provisions and provide logistics to the response effort.  The North Central Unified Incident Command also said there is no truth to rumors about a closure of The Dalles Bridge.  ODOT Project Manager Cari Charlton told the command team that there are no scheduled closures due to COVID 19 or construction projects in 2020.  The Dalles Bridge will remain open to motor vehicle traffic.  For more information, visit Wasco County, Oregon – COVID 19 Information Center’s Facebook page or call 211.