Wasco County reported two new COVID-19 cases in numbers released on Saturday, the only ones reported in the Mid-Columbia region. Wasco County is now up to ten positive COVID-19 tests.  Hood River and Skamania counties each reported one new COVID-19 case Friday.  Health officials say Hood River County’s fourth person to test positive is an employee of Parkhurst Place Assisted Living.  All staff and residents in contact with that person have been notified and are undergoing testing.  County officials also confirmed all four cases identified have displayed what are considered to be mild symptoms of the virus and there have been no hospitalizations.  According to a statement from Skamania County emergency officials, two of the three positive tested people in that countyr are currently hospitalized with the virus, and were from the same residence in the Carson area.  Klickitat County’s numbers as of Saturday afternooon remained at 12 reported cases of COVID-19, while Sherman County has one and Gilliam County zero. 

Local health care providers at Mid-Columbia Medical Center and One Community Health report they have expanded their capacity for testing symptomatic residents for infection with COVID-19.  Individuals must still contact their primary care provider for evaluation and possible referral for testing.  Those without primary care providers may call the clinics directly for evaluation and possible referral.