LOCAL & STATE
THURSDAY, JULY 29, 2021
BAKER CITY HERALD — A5
More than half of patients at Pendleton
hospital tested positive for COVID-19
■ Just 13 of 81 intensive care unit beds east of the Cascades available Tuesday
By Bryce Dole
East Oregonian
PENDLETON — More
than half of all patients cur-
rently hospitalized at CHI St.
Anthony hospital in Pendle-
ton have tested positive for
COVID-19, according to a
hospital spokeswoman.
The hospitalizations come
as Umatilla County reports
one of the largest surges in
COVID-19 cases in Oregon,
reporting about 8% of the
state’s total cases over the
past two weeks despite
accounting for just 2% of
its population. The county’s
case rate during that same
time period was more than
seven times higher than
Multnomah and Washington
counties, which both have
more than 500,000 more resi-
dents than Umatilla County.
The surge in cases is em-
blematic of a statewide spike,
especially in undervaccinated
areas.
The Oregon Health Au-
thority on Tuesday reported
1,032 new cases statewide.
Hospitalizations statewide
spiked to the highest totals
since April on Tuesday with
259, up 52 since Monday, ac-
cording to the state.
As of Tuesday afternoon,
past seven days, with eight
hospitalized on Monday
alone.
Local hospitals will
sometimes refer critically ill
patients to other facilities
for a higher level of care. But
regional hospitals have been
“unable to accept transfers”
because they are full with
patients, Smith said.
For one patient in need of
a transfer, health care work-
ers reached out to 15 differ-
ent hospitals before fi nding
one with an available bed,
Smith said.
Ben Lonergan/East Oregonian
On Monday, the emergen-
Registered nurse Heather McLeod enters a negative
cy department’s physician
pressure room used for COVID-19 patients in the medi-
director reported a threefold
cal/surgical unit at St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton on increase in patients testing
Tuesday, July 27.
positive in the department
over the past fi ve days,
July 27, the Oregon Health
The key to the spike: Vac- Smith said. On Friday and
Authority web page monitor- cination. The CDC reports
Saturday alone, approxi-
ing hospital bed capacity
that 97% of those hospital-
mately 40% of patients who
showed that of the three
ized for COVID-19 nation-
came to the hospital with
hospital regions east of the
wide are unvaccinated.
COVID-19 symptoms tested
Cascades, there were 13
In Pendleton, CHI St. An- positive. None had been vac-
intensive care unit beds
thony hospital has reported
cinated against COVID-19.
available out of 81 ICU beds a “signifi cant uptick” in
Good Shepherd Medical
across the region.
positive COVID-19 cases over Center in Hermiston said
The Centers for Disease
the past week, nearing peak over the weekend it was
Control have reported a four- numbers seen last winter, the also seeing an increase in
fold growth in cases over the spokeswoman, Emily Smith, hospitalizations and positive
past month, most driven by
said in an email. Fourteen
COVID-19 tests, but the
the highly contagious delta
people have been hospital-
hospital has yet to disclose
variant.
ized with the virus over the
any data.
COUNTY
good investment,” Commissioner
Bruce Nichols said.
Continued from Page A3
The county will receive $3 million
Warner told commissioners the
from the federal aid package.
turnover for the museum director
The Museum Commission will
position, as a part-time job, has been also try to raise money through
high, with seven directors in the
grants and other sources.
past eight years.
Warner said the museum, at 2480
Terry McQuisten has been the
Grove St., in the former city natato-
director since March 2020.
rium, did not qualify for the federal
Commissioners voted to allocate
Paycheck Protection Program, which
$80,000 from the county’s share of
was designed to help businesses
the American Rescue Plan, which
harmed by pandemic-related restric-
Congress passed in March 2021.
tions.
“I think it’s necessary and a very
Warner estimates the museum,
which was closed at times during
the pandemic, lost $40,000 in poten-
tial revenue.
The Bureau of Land Manage-
ment is talking with county offi cials
about leasing 2,500 square feet in
the Heritage Museum to serve as a
temporary Oregon Trail Interpretive
Center experience while the Center
itself, fi ve miles east of Baker City,
is closed for more than two years for
a major renovation project starting
around February 2022.
In other business Wednesday,
commissioners voted to accept a bid
OHA: Wear a mask
at indoor public
places, even if
you’re vaccinated
By Sara Cline
Associated Press/Report for America
PORTLAND — In response to a spike in COVID-19
cases in Oregon and updated national guidance calling
for masking measures to prevent the spread of the highly
transmissible delta variant, state health officials announced
Tuesday, July 27 they are recommending that people wear
a mask in public indoor settings — including those who are
fully vaccinated.
The announcement occurred the same day that the Or-
egon Health Authority reported 1,032 new and presumed
COVID-19 cases, the state’s highest daily case count since
January based on recent data.
“Today’s reported sharp rise in confirmed and presump-
tive cases and in hospitalizations in Oregon are sobering
reminders that the pandemic is not over, especially for
Oregonians who remain unvaccinated,” said Dr. Dean Side-
linger, the state epidemiologist and state health officer.
As cases continue to rise across the country, the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed course
Tuesday on some masking guidelines, recommending that
even vaccinated people return to wearing masks indoors in
parts of the U.S. where the delta variant of the coronavirus
is fueling infection surges.
Citing new information about the variant’s ability to
spread among vaccinated people, the CDC also recommend-
ed indoor masks for all teachers, staff, students and visitors
at schools nationwide, regardless of vaccination status.
On Tuesday, Oregon health officials announced that their
recommendations apply statewide and not just in areas
with high infection rates.
The possibility of reimplemented restrictions — includ-
ing mask mandates, capacity limits, county risk levels that
dictate restrictions and distancing requirements — that
were lifted by Gov. Kate Brown on June 30 has also always
been a possibility.
from Anderson-Perry and Associ-
ates to survey Pine Creek Road, the
amount not to exceed $30,000.
The money will come from the
county’s insurance company, ac-
cording to commissioners.
The road, in the Elkhorn Moun-
tains northwest of Baker City, is
the subject of a civil lawsuit that
David McCarty, who owns prop-
erty through which the road runs,
fi led on April 30, 2021.
McCarty contends county
offi cials have failed to produce
documents proving that there is
a public right-of-way on the road
through his property.
On June 16, commissioners
approved a resolution “declaring
the necessity for the legalization of
Pine Creek Lane.”
Commission Chairman Bill
Harvey said the resolution is a
preliminary action. It starts a
process for designating a county
road under a state law — Oregon
Revised Statute chapter 368. After
the survey is done, the county will
schedule public hearings on the mat-
ter, Harvey said.
Thank You to Baker County Fair 2020 Livestock Sale
Buyers and Supporters of Baker 4-H/FFA Program and Youth
Agar Transportation
Albertsons
Ameri Title
Anderson Cattle Co.
Andy & Kris Barr
Animal Clinic
Appliances & More LLC
Arrantxu Zerua
Ash Grove Cement
Averett Ranch
B & K Recycling
Baker City Auto Ranch
Baker City Bronc & Bull
Baker County Custom Meats
Baker Dental Group
Baker Garage
Baker Sanitary
Baker Vet Hospital
Baker Vision Clinic
Bank of Eastern Oregon
Banner Bank
Bar Boot Cattle Co.
Bar V Cattle
Becker Construction
Beef Northwest
Behlen Country
Ben & Cynthia Norton
Bert & Terri Siddoway
Bill Clonts
Bingham Beef
Bingham, Bingham & Watt
Bisnett Insurance
Black Dist.
Britt Corp.
Buekel Zoellner Foundation
Casey & Tammi Coleman
Cashway Lumber
Chandler Herefords
Cheri Hung
Clarene Rohner
Clark Auto Electric
Clarke & Clarke Ins.
Cliffs Saws & Cycles
Clint & Elissa Morrison
Clint Finley
Coffee Corral
Colton Accountancy
Commercial Tire
Community Bank
Courtney Benson
Cunningham Financial Group
D&B Supply
Dan Garrick
Deanna Frantum
GRAND CHAMPION
Agar Transportation - Steer
B&K Recycling - Goat
Richland Feed & Seed - Sheep
Northwest Farm Credit Service - Rabbit
Eastern Oregon Rental & Sales - Swine
RESERVE CHAMPION
Britt Corp - Steer
NRG Construction Co. LLC - Goat
K Diamond Family Farms - Sheep
Ash Grove Cement - Rabbit
Joe Hill Consulting - Swine
Dennis Ranch
Doug & Teresa Keller
Dr. Nathan Defrees - EOMA
Drew & Marny Martin
Eastern Oregon Rental & Sales
Elkhorn Drilling
Elkhorn Hydraulics
English Hay Co / Easterday Farms
Eric & Kristi Sandefur
Eric & Patricia Shaw
Ethelyne & James Kauth
Eugene Hawes Construction
FC Colton Ranches Inc.
Foltz Farm
Freeman Angus Ranch Inc.
G&B Colton Ranches
Gaslin Accounting
Goofy’s Wood
Grumpy’s Repair
Guyer & Assoc.
Gyllenberg Construction
H&R Block
Haines Stampede Rodeo Assoc.
Haines Steak House
Harrell Hereford Ranch
Intermountain Law
Intermountain Livestock
Intermountain Livestock Resale
Ireland Bank
J and J Timber
J. Tabor Jewelers
Jaca Constrution Inc.
Jake & Katie Collier
James Free
Jay & Eth Carr
Jeff Anderson
Jim Wright
Joe Collier
Joe Hill Consulting
Justus Excavating, Inc.
K Diamond Family Farms
Kate Rohner
Kathy Ward
Kicks Sportswear
Lehman’s Chopping
Leo Adler Foundation
Lighthouse Church Baker City
Lindell Sandberg
Lloyd & Susan Danielson
LNK Ranches, LLC
Loennig Ranch
Mackenzie Ranch LLC
Matt & LaDonn McElligott
Mitch & Terril Thomas
MJ Bohn
Morris Angus Ranch
Mountain Valley Dental
Ne-Hi Enterprises
Nelson Ranch
Neske Brothers
Nick Conklin State Farm Insurance
Northwest Farm Credit Service
NRG Construction Co, LLC
Nutrien Ag Solutions
Old West Federal Credit Union
Oregon Mutual
Oregon Telephone Corporation
Oregon Trail Electric Co-op
Oregon Trail Livestock Supply
Pacific Intermountain Mortgage
Pepsi
Peterson Orthodontics
Phillips, Fred & Beth
Premier Auto
Producers Livestock Marketing
Radford Trucking
RD Mac
Reliance Connects
Richland Feed & Seed
Rob & Peter Ellingson
Robbins Equipment
Rohner Farms, Inc.
Ron Ervin
Ryder Brothers
Seth & Natalie Bingham
Settlers Park Assisted Living
Sid Johnson & Co.
Siddoway Charolais - Trent
Siddoway Fence - Matt
Silven Schmeits & Vaughan
Simplot
SREC
SS Equipment Inc.
Steaming Kettle Consulting
Steve & Lindy Widner
Steven Harper
Sunfire Real Estate
Superior Towing
Susan Irby
The Sycamore Tree
The Windshield Doctor
Thomas Angus Ranch
Tom & Fawn Kerns
Tom & Mary Norton
Tri-County Equipment
Trimble Ranch
Triple C
Umpqua Bank
Vaughan Family Land & Livestock
VP Ranch
Ward Ranches
Wheatland Ins.
Whitney Collins
Wilson Cattle Co.
York’s Park Grocery