COVID-19 Resources
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Good Shepherd Health Care System (GSHCS) works closely with Oregon state and local public health officials at the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Umatilla County Public Health (UCo Health), as well as the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) for COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines.. The health and safety of our patients and employees is top priority and we have provided the resources below to keep the communities we serve informed.
COVID Testing
COVID Testing available at Good Shepherd Urgent Care by appointment. Please call ahead to 541-567-2995. COVID testing is also available at the following local locations:
- Family Health Associates: 541-567-6434 (by appointment)
- Hermiston Family Medicine & Urgent Care: 541-567-1137 (by appointment)
- Irrigon Medical Clinic: 541-922-5880 (by appointment)
- Columbia River Health: 541-481-7212 (by appointment)
COVID Vaccination
Good Shepherd is offering free COVID vaccines within our Good Shepherd Medical Group Clinics. GSHCS will no longer be holding weekly mass vaccine events. The following clinics have Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines available during normal business hours:
Good Shepherd is offering the Pfizer bivalent COVID booster only during this clinic. The Pfizer booster is a one-time booster (not part of a series) that folks 12 and older are eligible for. You may take the Pfizer vaccine even if you have previously received Moderna or Johnson & Johnson. Individuals who have had a COVID vaccine, by any manufacturer, within the last 2 months are requested to wait a full 2 months from last dose before getting the new bivalent booster. Individuals who have tested positive for COVID in the last 90 days should wait a full 3 months from last positive test result before getting the new bivalent booster unless previously approved by their healthcare practitioner. Individuals do not need to bring anything with them to the booster clinic and should prepare for 15 minutes of required monitoring after vaccine administration. Community members may call and leave a message on Good Shepherd’s COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline at 541.667.3426 should they have any questions about vaccines. For ages 12 to 14 a parent or guardian must be present, and for those ages 15 and above, per Oregon Law, can self-consent for the vaccine. This vaccine will not be available to children under the age of 12.
The Pfizer vaccine is available for 5-11 year-olds by appointment at Good Shepherd Urgent Care (541.567.2995) as well as Good Shepherd Pediatrics Clinic (541.667.3740), or book an appointment online at https://www.gshealth.org/good-shepherd-medical-group/pediatrics. Other local locations offering the vaccine are listed on Umatilla County Public Health’s website at https://ucohealth.net/covid-events-new/hermiston.
For community members that do not have an established provider at GSHCS, vaccines are available at Good Shepherd Urgent Care during the business hours of Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday’s 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Sunday’s 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Helpful Information about COVID-19
COVID-19 is a new virus strain that is believed to spread in similar ways as the common cold. Symptoms include fever, cough and difficulty breathing, as well as gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. A health care provider can give you instructions for seeking care.
According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and other authorities, the risk for exposure in the United States is in an accelerated phase, and our community has reported COVID-19 cases. We continue to follow established infection prevention protocols and remain prepared to care for patients.
Our health care system is working closely with our state and local health authorities to care for potentially affected individuals while taking steps to limit person-to-person spread within our communities. We have protocols in place, including training our staff and practicing for these scenarios. Constant monitoring and necessary precaution measures to ensure the safety of our patients, caregivers, visitors and community members have been put into place.
Continuing Your Health Care at Good Shepherd Health Care System
How to Protect Yourself
Masks and Respirators (cdc.gov)
Use and Care of Masks (cdc.gov)
COVID-19 is a new disease and we are still learning how it spreads, the severity of illness it causes and to what extent it may spread in the United States.
According to the CDC, here’s what we know about the spread of the virus and what respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette to practice:
- Sanitize your hands often for at least 20 seconds each time. Alcohol gel works well (like after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose), but handwashing with soap and water also works well.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. You can also cover your cough with your elbow if no tissue is available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Stay home if you are sick and do not need medical care.
- Routinely disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces daily.
- For general questions about COVID-19, please reach out to Umatilla County Public Health at 541-278-5432 or the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) hotline by dialing 211 from a cell phone (not a landline).
If You Feel Ill
- If you have traveled to a country on the CDC list of level 2 or 3 travel health notices and you suddenly developed a fever and cough, call your health care provider.
- If medically stable, please stay home if you have flu like systems. At the present, these symptoms are more likely due to influenza or other respiratory viruses than to a COVID-19 infection. Whether you have seasonal flu, the common cold, or something else, it’s important you stay away from others when sick.
- Monitor yourself and if you begin to develop more acute symptoms such as fever, coughing and shortness of breath or you believe you may have been exposed to Coronavirus, you should:
- Call ahead to your primary care provider as soon as possible, which helps to determine the most appropriate care.
- Call Uco Health at 541-278-5432 and/or dial the OHA hotline at 211 from a cell phone (not a landline).
- Call 911 for a medical emergency.
Stay Informed with These Resources
There are several agencies closely monitoring the situation. You may find more information about their preparedness, general information about the virus, and up to date news at the following links.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Oregon Health Authority
Umatilla County Public Health