Four More Cases Reported Monday; Oregon to Get Share of Johnson & Johnson; 101 Repairs

Four More Cases Reported Monday

Four COVID-19 cases from Friday through Sunday and then another 4 cases added to the list for the Florence area yesterday  and that brings the Florence Area Total to 170.  Jason Davis with Lane County Public Health has yet to responds to questions regarding the origin of the new cases and whether or not they are part of community spread or tied to a workplace or family.  A spike in cases locally could spell trouble for the recently lowered risk level, although since the county does not determine risk level by zip code, it may be an unwarranted concern as numbers countywide continue to be lower in recent weeks.  Lane County only added 33 cases yesterday.  Counties across the state have been seeing decreases with state numbers falling.

Oregon to Get Share of Johnson & Johnson

The Oregon health authority reported yesterday that the state will be receiving 34 thousand doses of the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine that began being distributed yesterday.  The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a single dose vaccine and does not require the deep freezing storage that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines need to stay effective.  While the new vaccine is only reporting a 72% effectiveness it is considered 85% effective in preventing severe COVID-19 symptoms.  Vaccinations have reached 990 thousand doses administered and the state has received 1,241.415 total doses excluding the expected amount from Johnson& Johnson.

101 Repairs

Repairs on Highway 101 continue to effect traffic along the coast.  Bridge repair work at the Siltcoos River Bridge remains the reason for one lane of traffic in the area as crews work to replace the older railings on the bridge.  The work is occurring on a dangerous curve in the road and drivers are cautioned to reduce speed in the area.  A temporary traffic light has been placed to control traffic.  Work on the bridge is expected to occur through March.  Likewise there will remain one lane of traffic north at milepost 170.5 with flaggers present 24/7.