Lane County To Require Vaccinations for Employees
Lane County has decided to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for all county employees. The word came down yesterday that unless an employee has a medical or religious exemption under current state law they will be subject to provisional layoff. Lane County Administrator Steve Mokrohisky says it is a matter of walking the talk as one of the largest public service employers in the region. In a statement released yesterday Lane County Public Health Officer Dr. Patrick Luedtke says current studies locally, nationally and internationally show that vaccines are “unequivocally safe for the vast majority of people, the best tool for protection and the safest most economical way end the disruption the virus has caused. County employees will have until November 30th to comply.
School Board to Move Meeting Place
The Siuslaw School Board has broached the idea of moving its regular meetings to the Siuslaw Middle School Commons to accommodate those that want to attend school board meetings. In their meeting room in the offices on Oak Street quarters are too confined to allow for community members to meet and provide safe distancing. The move does not require a vote from the board.
More COVID for Florence
Cases of COVID-19 continue to mount for the 97439 zip code as another 10 cases were added yesterday. Numbers have been steadily increasing over the past several weeks and are expected to climb. There is a large percentage of new cases attributed to community spread and is popping up in local businesses. According to Lane County Public Health the majority of cases are being found in unvaccinated individuals and vaccinated individuals that do get it are having fewer major complications from the virus. Statewide 81.3 percent of cases are in unvaccinated individuals. Florence’s all time COVID-19 count now stands at 607.
OHA COVID Numbers
The Oregon Health Authority reported 2,242 new cases of COVID-19 across the state yesterday. Along with 11 new deaths. The death toll attributed to COVID-19 has grown to over 3,500 individuals. The state is reporting that cases and hospitalizations are declining slightly overall, but has not differentiated between more hospital beds available and deaths associated with the reduction. The number did decline yesterday by 40 and there were 8 fewer ICU patients. Vaccination rates are still steady with more than7,400 doses administered daily. Lane County case numbers from yesterday were 184.
