EOCI is closed to visitors at least through Aug. 15

By Terry Murry on Thursday, July 29th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

PENDLETON – The Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution has been placed at COVID-19 Tier Level 3. Visiting is paused beginning Friday through Aug. 15, at which time it will be reevaluated. No public access is allowed.

There are currently no active COVID-19 cases among the inmate population. Since the first case was diagnose on July 7, 2020, 459 inmates tested positive, 455 recovered, and four died. The last positive case at EOCI was on March 12, 2021.

The move to Level 3 is due to the widespread outbreak in the community as well as a number of positive tests among staff. Supervising Executive Assistant Ron Miles said that there have been a total of 90 staff positive tests, with 86 returned to work.

“The pandemic goes on and EOCI continues to take all possible precautions to avoid a new outbreak,” Miles wrote in an email.

Umatilla County reported 111 new COVID-19 cases today (Thursday).