North Central Public Health District’s Dr. Mimi McDonell gave a lengthy report to Wasco County Commissioners at their September 1 meeting on the current status of the coronavirus pandemic locally. Unfortunately, that has spiked in the last couple of weeks both in numbers and severity.

“Previously during the pandemic, the highest number of patients in a hospital bed in our region has been six,” she said. “That was last winter. That number is up to 14 people.”

She said that the best possible way to stop the spike was to get more people vaccinated., noting that “People who are unvaccinated are 29 times are more likely to be hospitalized with COVID that people who are vaccinated.”

And she stressed that people should get information about treatment only from trained health professionals, not from talk shows or bloggers who promote sensational and emotional statements to attract listeners and make more money.

“Ivermectin is a medication used by veterinarians to treat parasites in livestock and pets,” she said forcefully. “It is NOT safe for humans. it can cause significant organ damage. There is no evidence that it is effective against COVID 19. It is not safe. Please don’t take it. Please don’t share any information about taking it. It is ABSOLUTELY not safe.”

If you were unable to attend that presentation, you can hear it by clicking on the grey podcast bar below, and following the slides below that.

Just before noon today, the Oregon Health Authority’s email said there were no ICU beds available in either Mid-Columbia Medical Center or Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital due to the recent surge in cases.