Breakthrough Numbers Rise
Cases of COVID-19 continue to be added to the Florence total. 6 more cases were added yesterday and there have been 87 cases in the last two weeks. The rise in cases here and around the state is largely among the unvaccinated population, however in the past week the Oregon Health Authority is reporting that more of the positive results are now coming from breakthrough cases. There have been 1,739 breakthrough cases out of 14,523 positive tests accounting for 12% of new cases. Breakthrough cases were believed to be in the 3 to 5% range initially. All 36 counties have reported breakthrough cases. What the Oregon Health Authority is seeing is a low rate of hospitalizations for those cases. Less than 100 individuals with breakthrough cases had to be hospitalized. There were only 5 new hospitalizations recorded in the state yesterday, the lowest daily number in weeks. New COVID-19 cases statewide yesterday were 2,057.
Firm Date For Vaccination Requirements
The Oregon health authority at the direction of Governor Kate Brown released more information regarding the required vaccination of K-12 staff and health Care workers. Now that the Pfizer vaccine has been approved by the FDA the hard date for individuals needing to be vaccinated in October 18th. Individuals must be fully vaccinated and provide their employer, school or responsible party with proof of their vaccination.
Summer Gas Prices Dip
It is not clear whether the drop in demand for gasoline is part of the waning summer activities or the latest surge in COVID-19 cases, but either way it is causing the industry to put the brakes on price increases according to Marie Dodds with AAA Oregon. Dodds says the prices are dropping slightly as we inch toward the Labor Day weekend. Oregon prices are down a penny and nationwide prices have dipped on average 3 cents a gallon. Prices in Florence have been pretty steady at $3.65 a gallon on average. prices ranging in Florence are between $3.59 and $3.69 a gallon.
