June 1, 2020

 The Center for Human Development, Union County Public Health is now offering COVID-19 testing to individuals who meet Oregon Health Authority revised and expanded testing criteria. The revisions allow for individuals to be tested with no out of pocket cost. Testing is available to those that have one of the following symptoms: cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Testing is also available to those that have two of the following symptoms: fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, new loss of smell or taste, or sore throat. Interested individuals in requiring a COVID-19 test should contact Center for Human Development at (541) 624-2179 for more information. Health insurance is not required. Additional details can be found at https://www.chdinc.org/uccovid19PR05292020.pdf.

Union and Wallowa Counties are expecting to hear from Governor Kate Brown by Wednesday, June 3 regarding the Phase 2 reopening request for June 5. The Governor’s office has indicated that additional guidance will be provided for specific public venues and event operators that host or facilitate indoor or outdoor events, including social, recreational, cultural, civic, and faith-based gatherings. Guidance is also forthcoming for youth sports practice, training and play. However, sports that involve participants coming into bodily contact or close quarters (less than six (6) feet apart) will continue to be prohibited in Phase 2.

La Grande High School will be open from 8am-7pm on Tuesday, June 2. Students can turn in all books, Chromebooks, hotspots and any other item checked out from LHS during this time. If these items are not returned, La Grande School District has indicated that fines/fees will be assessed and added to student accounts. Additionally, students that have not yet claimed their locker items can do so tomorrow as well. Any unclaimed personal items will be donated to local charities. For information regarding returning materials at other schools throughout the district, parents are encouraged to contact schools directly.

Union County remains at six confirmed cases of COVID-19 of which five meet the definition of Oregon Health Authority as recovered. Wallowa County has two confirmed cases with one defined as recovered. Statewide, Oregon Health Authority is reporting today a total of 4,302 confirmed and presumptive cases. This is an increase of 353 cases since last Monday, May 25.