BRYCE DOLE EO Media Group PENDLETON â More than half of all patients hospitalized Tuesday at CHI St. Anthony hospital in Pendleton tested positive for COVID-19, according to a hospital spokeswoman. The hospitalizations come as Umatilla County reports one of the largest surges in COVID-19 cases in Oregon, reporting about 8% of the stateâs total cases over the past two weeks despite accounting for just 2% of its population. The countyâs case rate during that same time period was more than seven times higher than Multnomah and Washington counties, which both have more than 500,000 more residents than Umatilla County. The surge in cases is emblematic of a statewide spike, especially in undervaccinated areas.