Health Advisory For Heceta Beach
The Oregon Health Authority has issued a public health advisory for the waters surrounding Heceta Beach Area. According to the advisory there are high levels of fecal bacteria in the ocean waters and exposure to them could cause nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, skin rashes and upper respiratory infections among other health issues. The OHA said in their statement that increased pathogens and fecal bacteria can be caused by stormwater runoff, sewer overflows, failing septic systems and animal waste. OHA warns that children and the elderly are the most vulnerable to waterborne illnesses and should avoid the water. The warning also says that beach activities that do not include contact with the water should be safe.
Coronavirus
The state of Oregon has 328 new cononavirus cases as of yesterday’s report. The state total has now surpassed 31 thousand cases at 31,313. There have also been three new deaths to report increasing the state’s death toll to 532. Lane County added 14 new cases for a total of 1023. 116 people are currently infectious. There are still only 22 known cases for the Florence area.
Numbers Could Affect In School Plans
While the Siuslaw school district is not yet permitted to have in class instruction, cases of the coronavirus are a cause of concern for getting to that point. The latest increase in Lane County could thwart future plans for bringing instruction inside classrooms. The latest numbers in Lane County have surpassed the numbers needed to allow schools to move forward. That number is 30 cases per 100,000 people which the county surpassed on Monday. Some schools in the Springfield area did begin instruction Monday before the numbers were released, and state guidelines will allow them to stay operating. Over the weekend the school district in Brookings, which shares some similarities with Florence cancelled their plans to reopen due to a small outbreak. Siuslaw Schools are currently in comprehensive distance learning and will remain in that mode indefinitely.
Local Church Donates Food
Florence’s local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is delivering more than 40 thousand pounds of food today to both the Florence and Mapleton Food shares. The donations are to assist with COVID related needs in the area as well as to support those who have experienced difficulties due to wildfires. The church has been opening its storehouse in Salt Lake City since the pandemic began in March. More than 240 truckloads above their normal distribution has been allocated to COVID-19 related issues. Each truck carries 40,000 pounds of food which is estimated to feed 1400 people for a week.
