Storm Results; Spiking COVID Numbers; Oregon COVID Cases Break Record; Cure for Pandemic Blues?

Storm Results

Last night’s wind event had a much smaller impact than the one earlier in the week. While there is still a high wind warning until 10 am this morning the instances of power outages is much less  Central Lincoln PUD is reporting about 200 customers without power this morning.  the national weather service has cancelled the flood watch, but the flood advisory will remain until 4 pm this afternoon.  Weather should continue to improve as we move through the day with sunshine for most of the weekend before returning to rain at the beginning of the week.  Over the past several hours Florence has seen about an inch of rain.

Spiking COVID Numbers

An additional 10 cases of COVID-19 were reported for Florence yesterday adding to the previous day’s total of 19.  Florence has not had 945 known cases of the virus and the numbers continue to accumulate with 73 cases in the past two weeks.  According to Jason Davis with Lane County Public Health about 70% of those cases are in unvaccinated individuals with the remainder breakthrough cases.  The Oregon Health Authority has opted for an increased presence in western Lane County by providing a continual vaccination clinic at the Florence Events Center.  The clinic will be opened for two more weeks as the state tries to reach a goal of 1 million booster doses.  The clinic also provides first and second dose shots as well as pediatric doses.  Davis says with LCPH being so short staffed it was essential that the OHA provide help in order to be able to have the clinic here.

Oregon COVID Cases Break Record

The state of Oregon continues to break daily case records for the coronavirus.  Yesterday another 7,615 cases were reported that is 1,400 more cases than the previous day.  Lane County jump up with 623 cases with Multnomah adding 1,598, Washington adding 1,333 and Clackamas adding 756.  The state is still reporting about 30% for breakthrough cases.  The Oregon Health Authority has also approved new rules for Pfizer boosters.  Children 12 and older can now receive a booster dose 5 months after their second dose.  The same applies for older Pfizer booster recipients.

Cure for Pandemic Blues?

If all the talk of the pandemic has got you feeling a little burned out, defeated or discouraged the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce with help from Peace Health. On Wednesday February 9th the chamber will host internationally renowned speaker Cortney McDermott for a presentation of “Turning Anxiety into Peace”.  McDermott is a bestselling author and mind-body expert and will offer her TED type talk virtually followed by a 40 minute Q&A.  cost is $25 dollars and $10 for Chamber Members.