COVID-19 Numbers Take a Dip
The total number of daily COVID-19 cases dropped below 1,000 for the first time in several weeks. Yesterday the OHA reported 846 new confirmed or presumptive cases, along with 6 new deaths. Lane County also reported a low count of 26 and for today at least the count for the Florence area remains at 70. No information has been received from Lane County Public Health regarding the latest rise in cases. Jason Davis with LCPH says he is looking into the origin of the cases, but did not give any specifics on whether or not the cases were closely linked or a matter of community spread. Coast Radio received one notification of a case at a long term care facility, but the case has not yet been confirmed and the location will not be reported until it is. There have been 6,275 cases to date in Lane County. Statewide totals are at 103,755. Yesterday members of PeaceHealth Riverbend received their first doses of the Pfizer vaccine and Peace Harbor Hospital is expecting to receive doses within the next two weeks.
Contest Winners Announced
The City of Florence has announced the winners of the Holiday LED Light Contest. There were three recipients each in the residential and commercial categories. The commercial winners were C.R.O.W. in 3rd place, HomeGrown Public House in 2nd and Holloway and Associates took first place. The winners will receive some advertising benefits from the Siuslaw News and Coast Radio. The top three winners in the residential category will receive gift cards. The contest was sponsored by the City of Florence, Habitat for Humanity, The Siuslaw News and Coast Radio.
PPE Distribution: Round 2
The City of Florence has set up a second round of Personal Protective Equipment for businesses. Businesses with less than 50 employees can sign up to receive a package which includes masks, gloves, aerosol disinfectant spray, sanitizing alcohol wipes, hand sanitizer and touchless thermometers. Priority will be given to businesses that did not receive items in the first round. The second round of distribution is expected to be in late January. Information on how to sign-up your business is at the city’s website at ci.florence.or.us.
Recycling Programs
The Lane County Master Recyclers program will be going virtual, the program will be offered online the first week of January with three one hour courses offered. Access to the free series can be found at lanecountyor.gov/masterrecyclers.
