County to Move to Low Risk Level
Governor Kate Brown released the list of counties that will be moving to the Low Risk of COVID-19 on Friday and Lane County was among the list. Neighboring counties also had a change in category, although Lincoln County moved up to Moderate from Low and Douglas moved from Extreme to High Risk. There are currently only two counties that are in the Extreme Risk category and they are Coos and Curry. Some of the benefits of moving to a Low Risk Category is size of gatherings and number of households that can congregate. Allowed for indoor gatherings in homes are 10 individuals and can be from 4 different households. Dining capacity at restaurants increases to 8 people per table and restaurants can stay open until 12 am. More benefits can be found HERE.
Second Round of COVID-19 Vaccines
Today and Saturday will be the second shot clinic for those who received their doses 3 weeks ago at the Florence Events Center. Individuals who are eligible have been notified and given their times. Assistant City Manager Megan Messmer says they do anticipate more first round clinics though.
“We will work with Lane County Public Health to coordinate additional Clinics whether those are the same format or not is to be determined as more people become eligible.”
Those numbers will increase this week according to Governor Browns release on Monday. Those 45 and older with one or more underlying health conditions are the next to be included in the vaccine registrar.
Webinar for Event and Venue Planners
Governor Kate Brown has announced that the state will be conducting a webinar on March 31st to give clarity on the changes to events and venues as it pertains to the reopening under the current guidelines in place for COVID-19. Alana Hughson, the managing director of the Oregon Destination Association is asking event planners and the like to submit questions. Hughson says the questions will be forwarded to the governor’s office prior to the webinar. Hughson’s email oregondestinationmanager@gmail.com
1 New Case for Florence
16 new cases of the coronavirus have been reported in Lane County which includes one new case for the Florence Area. The Florence area has now reported a total of 180 cases since the beginning of the pandemic. County numbers, as a whole, have been declining along with state numbers although the state had a slightly heavier day yesterday with 316 new cases. The state has also received 2,010,000 doses of vaccine which include over 60,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Over 32,000 individuals have already received the single dose shot.
WLCF Grant Awards
The Western Lane Community Foundation has announced the recipients of their Foundation Awards. 29 local non-profits will benefit from a total of $89,974.83. included in the grants are the Florence Air Academy, part of the Boys and Girls Club of Western Lane county; Bright Beginnings Christian Preschool, CASA of Lane County. Crow and the Food Backpack 4Kids program. For a complete list Click HERE.