COVID-19

  • July 17, 2020

    Governor Kate Brown announced earlier this week new state-wide requirements regarding face coverings and limits on social get-togethers in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. The guidance documents can be accessed through the links below. Statewide Mask, Face Shield, Face Covering Guidance: https://sharedsystems.dhsoha.state.or.us/DHSForms/Served/le2288K.pdf Statewide Gatherings, Indoor Social Get-Together Guidance: https://sharedsystems.dhsoha.state.or.us/DHSForms/Served/le2351G.pdf

  • July 15, 2020

    The Union County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a Resolution this morning to return Union County to Phase 2 COVID-19 Reopening Guidelines.  After a brief discussion at the regularly scheduled meeting, the Resolution passed unanimously.  Phase 2 Guidelines as well as the Resolution may be read at: http://union-county.org/county-returns-to-phase-2-covid-19-reopening/.

  • July 14, 2020

    If you have a disability and require the video provided in an alternate format, please email apowers@union-county.org. Commissioner Matt Scarfo discusses opportunities available for businesses such as the Paycheck Protection Program, Small Business Administration loans, and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance programs.

  • July 2, 2020

    Today, five new COVID-19 cases were announced for Union County bringing the total to 347.  Of this total, 20 have recovered.  Union County has had a total of 1,704 negative tests processed. Wallowa County has a total of 10 positive cases, one listed as recovered, and 432 negative tests processed.  Oregon Health Authority announced 375…

  • July 1, 2020

    The Union County Incident Management Team hosted a community briefing yesterday. The purpose was to provide an opportunity for leadership to answer key questions that have been surfacing locally regarding COVID-19.  The briefing is available for viewing on the NE Oregon Joint Information Center Facebook page and at https://neojic.unioncountyor.gov/2020/07/01/union-county-community-update/. One of the questions from the…

  • June 30, 2020

    The Union County Incident Management Team will be hosting a community briefing tonight at 6:00 p.m.  The purpose of the meeting will be to provide an opportunity for leadership to answer key questions that have been surfacing locally regarding COVID-19.  Due to physical distancing requirements, the briefing will be provided virtually and live-streamed on the…

  • June 29, 2020

    Today, Governor Kate Brown announced that face coverings will be required in all indoor places open to the public throughout all of Oregon, effective July 1.   Over the past month, COVID-19 has continued to spread in urban and rural communities.  Governor Brown stated “I do not want to have to close down businesses again like…

  • June 26, 2020

    Center for Human Development, Union County Public Health announced a COVID-related death today.  The individual was a 90-year old woman who tested positive on June 13 and died on June 25 at Grande Ronde Hospital.  She did have underlying conditions.  There has been a total of 202 deaths in the state of Oregon due to…

  • June 25, 2020

    The Union County Incident Management Team will be hosting a community briefing on Tuesday, June 30 at 6:00 p.m.  The purpose of the meeting will be an opportunity for leadership to answer key questions that have been surfacing locally regarding COVID-19.  Due to physical distancing requirements, the briefing will be provided virtually and live-streamed on…

  • June 24, 2020

    Today, Oregon Health Authority announced 5 new confirmed cases for Union County bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases to 287.  Test results returned today for the testing event held last week were minimal.  Union County has a total of 1,317 negative tests returned according to the Oregon Health Authority website.  Yesterday, the negative testing…

  • June 23, 2020

    The Oregon Department of Justice has issued a scam alert for people who are pretending to be contact tracers. These imposters send emails and text messages with links to fraudulent websites. Clicking on the link may download software onto a device, providing access to an array of your personal and financial information. If you receive…

  • June 22, 2020

    Volunteers and community involvement are crucial when conducting a clinic with extremely short notice such as what was completed last week in Union County.  Participants included several volunteers from Union County Search and Rescue, La Grande Rural Fire Protection District, La Grande Fire, La Grande District of Oregon Department of Forestry, Center for Human Development,…

  • June 18, 2020

    La Grande, Oregon – Today the Union County Incident Management Team conducted approximately 400 COVID-19 tests at a drive-through testing clinic in La Grande.  Testing will continue tomorrow with the capacity for an additional 400-500 tests.  Due to the high volume of testing, notifications will be made as quickly as possible.  Results are anticipated to…

  • Phased approach for counties and businesses emphasizes data, safety, and physical distancing

    Governor Kate Brown today announced new details of her framework for rebuilding a safe and strong Oregon, including new guidance for counties and businesses on the phased reopening process. The guidance is the product of a robust engagement process with stakeholders, doctors, health experts, business owners, and local officials to chart a path forward while…

  • The Three Health Signs We Must See to Reopen Oregon

    Oregonians have stayed home and saved lives. By following Governor Brown’s social distancing executive orders, Oregonians have prevented more than 70,000 COVID-19 infections and 1,500 hospitalizations. Yet, containing this global pandemic here at home has changed the way Oregonians live and do business across the state. Economic and socialhardships also take a toll. Oregonians flattened…

  • COVID-19 screeners will make contact for testing appointment

    COVID-19 screeners will be contacting those who have come in direct contact with any of the recent COVID-19 confirmed cases. The screeners will be working today to schedule appointments for the drive-through testing clinic. Only individuals that have a scheduled appointment will be accepted. If you have been selected for a COVID test, you will…

  • June 16, 2020

    Over 100 additional COVID-19 cases were announced today in Union County by the Center for Human Development (CHD), bringing the county total to 240.  Of this total, seven have been listed as recovered.  Officials anticipate the number of confirmed cases will continue to increase as contact tracing, investigations, and additional tests are conducted. The Union…

  • Specific Guidance for Fitness-related Organizations

    Fitness-related organizations include but are not limited to gyms, fitness centers, personal training, dance studios, and martial arts centers.Distancing and Occupancy:Fitness-related organizations are required to:• Limit the gathering capacity to a maximum of 250 people or the number of people, including staff, based on a determination of capacity (square footage/occupancy as specified below), whichever is…

  • Specific Guidance for Personal Services Providers

    For the purposes of this guidance document, “personal services providers” is defined as barber shops, hair salons, esthetician practices, medical spas, facial spas and day spas, non-medical massage therapy services, nail salons, tanning salons, and tattoo/piercing parlors.Client Screening:Providers are required to:• Contact client prior to appointment and ask: Have you had a new or worsening…

  • Specific Guidance for Restaurants, Bars, Breweries, Brewpubs, Wineries, Tasting Rooms and Distilleries

    Specific Guidance for Restaurants, Bars, Breweries, Brewpubs, Wineries, Tasting Roomsand DistilleriesDistancing and Occupancy:Businesses must:• Review and implement General Guidance for Employers.• Limit the gathering capacity to a maximum of 250 people or the number of people, including staff, based on a determination of capacity (square footage/occupancy as specified below), whichever is less. Ensure compliance with…

  • June 2, 2020

    The Incident Management Team came together to serve the community beginning in late March and continued to collaborate, communicate, and provide a coordinated response to the citizens of Union County. Planning and coordination meetings were held throughout the incident to support local efforts.

  • June 1, 2020

    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

  • May 29, 2020

    Some Phase 1 requirements will remain into Phase 2 including maintaining hospital capacity, completing contact tracing within Oregon Health Authority guidelines and maintaining adequate testing.

  • May 28, 2020

    Agricultural workers should use the KN95 masks when working in close proximity and physical distancing is not possible. This includes during shared rides in employer provided transportation to their place of work, office, field, or other location.