Hospital Seeing Fewer Positive COVID Cases; 6 More Cases in Florence; Florence Festival of Books; Vax Clinic; Free Lunch…and Breakfast for Students

Hospital Seeing Fewer Positive COVID Cases

Peace Harbor Hospital is reporting that they are seeing fewer COVID-19 cases at the hospital.  Chief Medical Officer Dr. Heather McArthur says it may be an actual decrease in cases or that people are finding alternative means of testing.

“There has been a question as to whether that is because people are testing at home.  A lot of testing kits are now available at local pharmacies and those aren’t being reported to health departments.”

McArthur says that the hospital has increased the availability of the monoclonal antibody treatment now offering it in the emergency room as well as the clinic.  but patients that require extensive medical care due to COVID-19 are not staying in Florence.

“We are not keeping, currently, COVID positive patients at Peace harbor, those are still being transported to those specialty COVID care units.”

The latest Oregon Health Authority numbers show that there are still almost 1,100 individuals in hospitals across the state.

6 More Cases in Florence

There were 6 more COVID-19 cases for Florence yesterday as reported by Lane County Public Health.  More than 100 patients have tested positive in the past 2 weeks in the area.  There is still time for the number to rise from the holiday weekend, but it is likely that Florence will see a decrease in cases following the models produced by the county and by the state.  there are 589 cases all time for the 97439 zip code.  The Oregon Health Authority has reported another 2,040 cases yesterday and 136 cases for Lane County.  The OHA also reports that it is still vaccinating more than 7,400 individuals daily.

Florence Festival of Books

The Florence Festival of Books is back for this weekend.  The event will be held indoors at the Florence Events Center and will begin on Friday with a workshop feature Bob Welch and William Sullivan at 3 pm.  Melody Carlson, author of A Christmas by the Sea will be the Keynote Speaker on Friday evening.  Saturday from 9am until 4 pm.  Authors and publishers will be on hand selling books and offering signings.  COVID-19 protocol will be observed during the event.

Vax Clinic

The Florence Events Center will also be the site of a vaccination clinic offered by Lane County Public Health.  The clinic will be from noon until 5 pm tomorrow and will offer all three vaccines.  The event is for individuals 12 and older.  Registration is suggested but not required.  To find out more information go to lanecounty.org/vaxclinics.

Free Lunch…and Breakfast for Students

Siuslaw Schools are participating in a program that will provide free meals for students this year regardless of financial position.  The Community Eligibility Provision program provides reimbursement to school districts for breakfast and lunch for any student that is enrolled.