Chamber Hosts Business After Hours
Last night it was business as usual as the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its first Business After Hours in 21 months. At one point there was a crowd of about 65 people in large meeting space across from the auditorium at the Florence Events Center. Chamber President and CEO Bettina Hannigan was pleased with the turn out.
“I think that we’re seeing a great response here, people are smiling, they’re having a good time, they’re connecting, they’re making friends.”
The chamber brought out wrist bands for individuals to show their level of comfort in a group setting from keep your distance to shake my hand or give me a hug.
“They’re wearing their bracelets so that everybody has their social distance preferences.”
Hannigan spoke to the crowd about the fledgling Flocal program for small business to offer e-gift cards this holiday season and beyond.
Pediatric Vaccination Clinic (update)
Tomorrow’s pediatric vaccination clinic will not be a mass vaccination clinic as in the past. Lane County Public Health is only providing pediatric doses of the vaccine at the Siuslaw Middle School from noon until 4 pm. There will also not be any walkups, but all vaccinations must be by appointment. Parents can schedule an appointment by visiting lanecounty.org or by calling 541-682-1380.
Florence Seeing Rise in Cases
Florence has seen a rise in cases over the past two weeks with 40 cases of COVID-19 over that period including 3 more cases added to the list yesterday. Florence is now at 768 all time. This comes as the state is reporting that breakthrough cases are on the rise in the state. The latest report shows that 25.5% of new cases are in individuals that have been vaccinated, which is about 5 percent more than the previous week’s report. The number of hospitalizations in those cases has been low though at 4.5%.
OHA COVID Numbers
The latest numbers from the Oregon Health Authority report is 1,160 new and presumptive cases of the virus with 13 new deaths. Lane County had 80 new cases reported. There are still 419 individuals in Oregon hospitals with COVID-19 and 104 in ICU.
Chamber Prepares for Holiday Season
The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce announced its holiday campaign. The Making Spirits Bright campaign will kick off with the Shop Small Saturday on November 27th and merchants are encouraged to remain open until 7 pm that evening for shopping. The festivities will officially begin on Saturday December 4th at 4 pm where many shops will provide refreshments and will continue with the annual lighting of the tree by the City of Florence at the Interpretive Center at 5:30.
