Peak Infectious Numbers for Lane County; Council Approves State of Emergency Extension; Fire Reduced

Peak Infectious Numbers for Lane County

Lane County has added another 28 cases of COVID-19 in yesterday’s report, bringing the weekend total to 72 new cases.  According to Lane County Public Health Liaison Jason Davis this raises our infectious cases to the highest level since the beginning of the pandemic.  There are currently 125 infectious cases in the county and brings the case count, to date, to 1009 cases.  Lane County Public Health reports that the majority of these cases are in the 20-29 age group.  Davis says these new cases are, for the most part, coming from impromptu get-togethers where individuals are less likely to wear masks.  The new cases were centered in the Eugene/Springfield area and there are no new cases reported for the 97439 zip code.  Across the state there have been 201 new confirmed cases and three new deaths, raising the death toll associated with the coronavirus to 529.  All three deaths were from Multnomah County and all had underlying health conditions.

Council Approves State of Emergency Extension

Last night the Florence City Council approved the resolution to extend the state of emergency for the city through January of 2021.  The approval will allow the city to apply for and receive monies from the state and federal agencies in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The city also approved a resolution creating a Utility Relief fund.  This fund will help with past due and delinquent utility bills that the city is currently holding.  Residents that are affected by a past due bill from the city will have to take part in an application process and be approved in order to have their bill paid.  The relief fund consists of $40,000 allocated from the CARES act supplied by the federal government.  Past due bills on the books for Florence are currently at $34,900.

Fire Reduced

The Holiday Farm Fire has reduced in size according to the Oregon Department of Forestry.  The fire is down by 2400 acres according to the most recent infrared maps.  ODF is also reporting the fire is 17% contained.  Nearly a thousand firefighters have been deployed to the fire, that is not counting the six-20 person crews provided by the National Guard.  Lane County has also updated the information regarding structures lost in the fire.  The current total is 455 residential and non-residential structures.  They did not include the latest numbers on structures that have been slightly or severely damaged.  Weekend rain helped in controlling the fire and allowed for the resumption of air drops.  Rain is expected to blanket the area once again this weekend.