School COVID Cases
On Friday Lane County Public Health reported the highest single day total of COVID-19 cases for the 97439 zip code. 53 new cases were reported raising the all time number to 1,180 as the omicron variant of the virus continues to be the dominant strain in and around the county and state. Siuslaw Schools have reported additional cases prompting a letter from Superintendent Andy Grzeskowiak reassuring parents and staff that they are dealing with the outbreaks with help from Lane County Public Health. Grzeskowiak says despite students contracting the virus the positive is that the classroom and general lunchroom settings do not seem to be a hotbed for transmission. He says that the majority of the positive tests are coming from lab or at home tests. He says that many of the positive exposure contacts are coming from high school students that travel together for an off campus lunch. He also says since the initial quarantine of the girls basketball team there has been more transmission of the virus. The boy’s team is showing a similar pattern and there will be more testing this week.
Free Tax Help
Oregonians can get free help with their income taxes once again this year. However, as in recent years, the pandemic is changing what that assistance looks like. Typically, the A-A-R-P Foundation’s Tax-Aide program happens in-person, focusing specifically on people over age 50 or those who have low to moderate incomes. Kathy Goeddel is assistant state coordinator of the program for the Portland Metro area. She says the recent surge in COVID-19 cases means protocols are in place to protect clients and volunteers.
| “We have options for virtual preparation, we have options for people dropping off their materials, and then other options for us to scan in their materials and then, prepare things remotely and get them back electronically.” |
Tax-Aide services usually ramp up around February 1st. Goeddel says the goal is to have 75 sites up and running, across the state. A site locator will be available, along with other tools, on the A-A-R-P website, as well as the Internal Revenue Service website.
State COVID Report
It was another day of huge numbers of COVID-19 for the state. Friday the OHA confirmed that it has 10,947 new positive cases of the virus and 20 new deaths have been added to the list of persons that have died from some form of complications from the virus. Dr. Dean Sidelinger, OHA Health officer and State Epidemiologist said despite the surge there is some light at the end of the tunnel. Sidelinger is predicting that based on models it is possible that the surge could peak within the next week or so. He also expects the peak of hospitalizations to occur in early February at around 1,500. He also said mask wearing is making a difference, as is staying home upon a positive diagnosis. On Friday Lane County also reported 1,196 new cases.
City Council Meeting
The Florence city council will meet in virtual session this evening beginning at 5:30. On the agenda for tonight’s meeting will be a Community Development Block Grant final public hearing. The grant is for the City’s Environmental Services Aide Program. The Council will also consider the approval of an ordinance to come into compliance with Oregon Revised Statutes regarding building inspection programs.