Delta Variant Taking Hold
Oregon Residents continue to receive vaccinations according to the Oregon Health Authority, but rates have diminished significantly in the last month with average daily rates dipping below 5,000. This comes on the announcement that the Delta Variant across the U.S. is taking hold and increasing in number with some areas seeing a 700% increase in cases mostly among the unvaccinated. Jason Davis with Lane County Public Health said that there have been two official cases that have been identified and it is expected that there are other cases here. According to health agencies the Delta variant spreads more quickly and easier than other variants and people that are unvaccinated should be very cautious and even continue wearing masks when in public. Lane County reported another 24 cases of COVID-19 yesterday and the state added 340 new cases with the biggest jump in Jackson County which reported 48. Davis says we are far from being rid of the virus and we can expect more variants down the road. One thing he did say is that the vaccinations do seem to be effective against the more virulent strains that are out there.
Gas Prices Continue Upward Trend
The Fourth of July holiday is past, but gasoline prices are still rising. As pandemic restrictions all but disappear this summer demand for gasoline is at a record high of 10 million barrels per day according to AAA Oregon. For the week, the national average for regular is up a penny to $3.15 a gallon. The Oregon average is $3.68—up three cents from last week. In Florence, prices are fluctuating between $3.49 and $3.78. Gasoline prices are expected to rise throughout the summer according to Marie Dodds with AAA,
“The big question I get asked over and over again is will we see $4 a gallon gas in Oregon. It’s not inconceivable that we could reach $4 a gallon. I think at this point it’s probably reasonable to expect that gas prices will climb about another quarter between now and the end of the summer.”
Oregon is one of 43 states where prices have risen week-over-week. Eight states have a weekly increase of a nickel or more with Utah rising to the top with a 16 cent increase.
Ice Cream Social Saturday
This Saturday there are many community events that will be happening including the Power of Florence and the annual Friends of Florence Van Fans fundraiser that supports local radiation patients that need to be seen in Eugene for Treatment. The event will be from 1 to 3 pm on Saturday at the Florence Events Center and will offer an ice cream parfait for $5.00. the bus will also be on hand for tours. Ice cream was donated by BJ’s.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistant Program or LIHEAP has reported that there scam calls regarding their energy and rent assistance programs. Callers say they are receiving texts soliciting the programs. According to the alert Lane County will never send unsolicited texts or communications to individuals and if you receive one you should call and report it.
