March 19, 2020

ByAnnette Powers

The Center for Human Development (CHD) announced a confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) case in Union County this morning. Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Union County Public Health are working to identify and isolate any individuals who may have been in close contact with the person while they were contagious. CHD wants to assure the community that the exposure risk to Union County residents is low. This individual had a recent history of international travel and is not considered to have acquired it from community spread. This new case is not reflected in OHA’s COVID-19 daily update totals for state or counties. This case will be reflected in tomorrow’s updates. Health officials are urging citizens to band together to protect and support family, friends, and neighbors who may be at higher risk of becoming ill and needing care and assistance. There are no confirmed cases in Wallowa County.
The list below is the latest information on closures in the region as they have been reported to the counties and is subject to change. This is not a comprehensive list of closures. If you have any questions about the status of an office, please call that organization and check with them. Newly announced closures are underlined below.
Union County Closures:
Union County Community Connections dining hall is closed. Meals can still be picked up.
Union County Senior Center exercise and card groups are canceled
City of La Grande Public Library
Classes at Veteran’s Memorial Pool
City of La Grande-all committee and commission meetings
City of La Grande Youth Basketball remaining practices and games
Adult Basketball remaining games and end of season tournament Women’s Volleyball remaining games and end of season tournament
Doggie Easter Egg Hunt
Mariners Game Excursion
Tri-Cities Americans Hockey Excursion
Spring Break Camp
U.S. Forest Service La Grande Ranger District Office
Grande Ronde Hospital is implementing a No Visitors policy beginning March 18
Union County Public Works is open for phone calls and is open to the public by appointment only.
City of La Grande Offices. Patrons asked to conduct transactions remotely.
Social Security Office
Wallowa County Closures:
City of Joseph offices
City of Enterprise library is open by appointment
Wallowa Memorial Hospital is screening all visitors and staff for entry into hospital or clinicsU.S. Forest Service Wallowa Mountains Office is available by appointment only
Wallowa County Courthouse is open by appointment only
Many local school districts are offering sack lunches for pickup for kids 18 and younger. Union County: • North Powder School District will have free food available for our North Powder students Monday, March 16 through Thursday, March 19, as well as Monday, March 30 and Tuesday, March 31. A sack lunch will be given out the back doors of the cafeteria between 10:30 AM and 12:00 PM on those days. • La Grande: If your child lives in La Grande, they can get a grab and go meal from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM March 16 through March 20 at the front entrance at Island City Elementary, Central Elementary and Greenwood Elementary. • Union School District will have sack lunches available for anyone under 18 years old March 16-19. There are currently no plans for Spring Break. • Elgin School District will have will have sack breakfast and lunch available for students March 16-19. The Thursday Backpack Program will continue for students who were previously signed up. Back Pack Program foods can be picked up Thursday March 19th. • Cove School District will have sack lunches available for anyone under 18 years old March 16-19. There are currently no plans for Spring Break. • Imbler School District will have sack lunches available for anyone under 18 years old March 16-19. There are currently no plans for Spring Break. Wallowa County:
• Wallowa, Enterprise and Joseph are offering lunch pickup at the schools from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Baker County has opted to not be included in the NE Oregon Joint Information Center at this time. Information for Baker County relating to the COVID-19 response can be found at:
• Baker County Oregon Health Department’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BCHDfan/
• Baker County Emergency Management’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Baker-County-Emergency-Management-274924696195250/
• Baker County’s webpage, http://www1.bakercounty.org/eocpressrel…/xPress_Releases.xsp

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