FRIDAY • July 23, 2021 • Serving Central Oregon since 1903 • $1.50
HIKING
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Angel’s Rest is one of many hikes with stunning views • Explore, B1
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COVID-19 in Oregon
Delta variant’s impact not equal across state
BY GARY A. WARNER
Oregon Capital Bureau
The highly contagious
COVID-19 delta variant has
caused a steep increase in the
number of infections in Ore-
gon — but with different im-
pacts across the state.
“Oregon is open, but the
pandemic is not over,” said
Oregon Health Director Pat
Allen during a press call
Thursday.
COVID-19 infections by the
delta variant have doubled in
the past week, leading to a new
spike in total numbers. OHA
reported the number of delta
variant cases had risen 25% be-
tween Wednesday and Thurs-
day alone.
The delta variant now ac-
counts for over half of all
COVID-19 cases in Oregon
and is likely to rise, mirroring
the national average of 80%.
The statistics were rolled out
at OHA’s first high profile press
briefing since Gov. Kate Brown
ended statewide COVID-19
restrictions June 30.
The rise in cases comes as
vaccinations in the state have
slowed to a trickle. While
about 2.4 million residents
have received at least one shot
of vaccine, Allen said the latest
daily number of new inocula-
tions was about 2,000. That’s
down from a peak of over
50,000 on some days in early
April.
Allen said COVID-19 cases
are surging, up tenfold in the
past week. The delta variant
spreads up to 75% faster than
the original COVID-19 virus
that first appeared in Oregon
in February 2020.
The spread of the virus is not
Deschutes County clerk
evenly spread throughout Or-
egon as in earlier spikes, OHA
reported.
Allen singled out Umatilla
County, which reported 70
new cases but has vaccinated
just under 43% of eligible
adults. The 2020 population of
the county is just under 18,500.
See Variant / A6
BEND CITY COUNCIL | BUDGET
Nancy Blankenship
reflects on her service
Millions in
‘adjustment’
would support
housing issues
BY BRENNA VISSER
The Bulletin
In what is considered a historic invest-
ment in homeless and housing solutions,
the Bend City Council intends to allocate
roughly $6 million of the $7 million it re-
ceived in American Rescue Plan funding
from the federal government to support
projects including affordable housing and
managed homeless camps.
On Wednesday, the council supported
recommendations from city staff for a $13.1
million budget “adjustment,” which includes
$6 million from the American Rescue Plan
COVID-19 relief act.
The American Rescue Plan funding is
only half of the money that was awarded to
the city from the federal government.
The other half will be given to the city
next year.
The other $7 million in the budget ad-
justment comes from a variety of sources,
including state funding and city reserve
funds, according to city Chief Financial Of-
ficer Sharon Wojda.
See Budget / A6
Ryan Brennecke/The Bulletin
After nearly 20 years of serving as Deschutes County clerk, Nancy Blankenship will retire at the end July .
Official leaves with one major concern: the spread of election misinformation
BY BRENNA VISSER
The Bulletin
In her 18-year tenure as De-
schutes County Clerk, Nancy
Blankenship has become no
stranger to change.
Since being elected in 2003,
Blankenship witnessed ma-
jor changes in voting technol-
ogy and legislation, and helped
usher county records into the
digital era.
As she looks back at her time
as clerk, Blankenship, 62, said
she is proud of what she has
accomplished — in particular,
her ability to run the office with
integrity and earn the trust of
both major political parties in
the area.
But as she prepares to enter
retirement, Blankenship is left
Bend Fire braces
for surge of calls
BY GARRETT ANDREWS
The Bulletin
with one major lingering con-
cern for her successor: the spread
of election misinformation.
“That is the hardest thing we
fight, or try to influence with ed-
ucation,” Blankenship said.
Look around: Bend is back and busy.
Locals and visitors alike are jamming out-
side, recreating, driving their cars, shopping,
exercising and generally joining together
outside their homes after more than a year
of relative isolation due to the COVID-19
pandemic.
See Blankenship / A4
See Bend Fire / A4
BEND
Rabid bat prompts county health officials to urge caution
A dead bat found in southeast Bend
tested positive for rabies this week,
prompting county health officials to
urge residents to take precautions
TODAY’S
WEATHER
against the deadly disease.
Health officials have three recom-
mendations: Keep children and pets
away from bats, avoid any physical
Very warm
High 90, Low 54
Page B5
INDEX
Business
Classifieds
Comics
A7
B6
B7-8
contact with stray wildlife, and make
sure to vaccinate all cats, dogs and fer-
rets against rabies.
Rabies is transmitted through the
Dear Abby
A6
Editorial
A5
Explore
B1-2,9-10
Horoscope
Local/State
A6
A2-3
Puzzles
Sports
bites and scratches of an infected
animal, according to health offi-
cials.
Dogs, cats and ferrets can be
B8
B3-5
vaccinated against rabies at 3 to 6
months of age. After initial vaccina-
tion, they need a booster shot after
one year, and then another booster
every three years.
See Bat / A4
The Bulletin
An Independent Newspaper
We use
recycled
newsprint
Vol. 117, No. 329, 18 pages, 2 sections
DAILY
Experts: Keep children, pets away from bats and avoid contact with stray wildlife
BY DYLAN JEFFERIES
The Bulletin
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