Weekly Vaccine Report for Week Ending Aug. 6; Mask Mandate; Hospital Surge
Local vaccination rates continue to climb as the highly transmissible Delta variant of COVID-19 drives up case counts and hospitalizations. Over 25,700 doses have been administered in North Central Public Health District’s service area of Wasco, Sherman and Gilliam counties through the week ending Aug. 6.
Wasco County has hit 66 percent of those 18 and older vaccinated with at least one dose. Sherman County is at 56.9 percent and Gilliam County is at 44.4 percent.
Starting today, masks are required statewide in all indoor spaces. That includes public and private workspaces, businesses, indoor areas open to the public, lobbies, classrooms, elevators, bathrooms, and other indoor spaces where people gather.
The mask requirement by Gov. Kate Brown was prompted by record-setting hospitalizations. A new record of 733 Oregonians hospitalized with COVID-19 was set today. Projections show the state could be short 500 staffed hospital beds by September if nothing is done.
Brown said if 85 percent of Oregonians comply with the new mask mandate, the bed shortage could be halved to 250 beds. She announced today the deployment of the Oregon National Guard, starting Aug. 20 to help beleaguered Oregon hospitals. “I cannot emphasize enough the seriousness of this crisis for all Oregonians, especially those needing emergency and intensive care,” Brown said.
Vaccines given locally in the week ending Aug. 6:
NCPHD: 107 for the week, 15,962 cumulative
Mid-Columbia Medical Center: 13 for the week; 1,524 cumulative
One Community Health: 34 for the week, 3,315 cumulative.
All local pharmacies in The Dalles, and in Condon, are also giving the vaccine. Their totals are not included here. Other entities who previously offered vaccines have given 4,440 vaccines.
All Wasco County residents get a $50 VISA gift card for their first dose. Call 541-506-2600 to book an appointment at NCPHD. Those vaccinated at Mid-Columbia Medical Center, Deschutes Rim Clinic in Maupin and One Community Health also receive a gift card. Those vaccinated at The Dalles pharmacies get a sticker on their card that can be redeemed for the gift card at the NCPHD office at 419 E. 7th St.
(For more information, please visit COVID-19 Vaccine in Oregon, contact North Central Public Health District at (541) 506-2600, visit us on the web at www.ncphd.org or find us on Facebook.)