A health care worker prepares a COVID-19 shot.

Editor’s note: The data for this update is current as of Dec. 29, 2021.

JOHN DAY — The Oregon Health Authority is reporting two new COVID-19 outbreaks in Grant County.

The Strawberry Wilderness Community Clinic in John Day has an outbreak totaling five cases and Monument School has a cluster of six cases, according to a weekly OHA update released on Wednesday, Dec. 29.

Outbreaks are considered resolved if there have been no new cases in at least 28 days. The most recent case in the Strawberry Wilderness Community Clinic outbreak dates from Dec. 20, while the newest Monument School case began on Dec. 11.

School outbreaks are defined as two or more cases of COVID-19 in students, staff or volunteers that have a shared, defined exposure within a school setting. That does not necessarily mean that the virus was transmitted at the school. Case counts may include cases who were not at school but are close contacts of those exposed at school.

Workplace outbreaks can involve employees who work at the same worksite as well as members of their households or other close contacts. OHA only reports outbreaks of five or more cases for workplaces that have at least 30 employees.

No other ongoing outbreaks have been reported at schools, workplaces, congregate care facilities or child care centers in the county.

One person is currently hospitalized with COVID at Blue Mountain Hospital, according to the Grant County Health Department.

As of Wednesday, Dec. 29, Grant County has recorded 1,166 cases of COVID-19, up 32 from the week before, OHA data shows. The county has also logged 17 deaths from the disease since the pandemic began.

The state has reported a cumulative total of 418,333 cases and 5,640 deaths.

The United States has had about 53.7 million cases of COVID-19 and has logged 822,892 COVID-related deaths, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

COVID-19 vaccines have been proven safe and are still the most effective way to prevent the spread of the disease, according to public health officials including the Grant County Health Department.

Oregon has surpassed its statewide goal of having at least 80% of residents age 18 or older vaccinated against COVID-19. According to the latest OHA report, 80.7% of adult Oregonians have had at least one COVID shot, 73.9% have completed their primary vaccine series and 32.4% have had a booster shot.

Grant County, meanwhile, remains one of the least-vaccinated parts of the state, with just 50.6% of adults having received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to OHA data. That ranks 34th out of Oregon’s 36 counties.

Area residents who are interested in receiving the vaccine can contact the following entities to schedule an appointment:

• Grant County Health Department: 541-575-0429

• Strawberry Wilderness Clinic: 541-575-0404

• Len’s Drug: 541-575-0629

• Grant Union SBHC: 541-575-0366

Referral information is available by calling Canyon Creek Clinic at 541-575-1263.

The Grant County Health Department continues to encourage all residents to take the following precautions:

• Get vaccinated against COVID-19.

• Wear a mask in doors and when outside if you cannot maintain 6 foot distancing.

• Maintain 6 feet of distancing, if possible, indoors and outdoors.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.

• Stay home if you feel ill.

After someone contracts COVID-19, if they develop symptoms, they will usually appear within 14 days. Symptoms include:

• Fever or chills

• Cough

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Fatigue

• Muscle or body aches

• Headache

• New loss of taste or smell

• Sore throat

• Congestion or runny nose

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhea

Anyone who presents with these symptoms is urged to call 211 or their health care provider.