COVID Cases Continue Decline
The mounting cases of COVID-19 for the Florence area seems to be diminishing with each report released by Lane County Public Health. The two week number of cases has dropped to 113 and there were 3 new cases reported for the area yesterday. After 2 week highs above 200 the numbers are good news for the Florence Community. Unfortunately there have been several deaths attributed to COVID-19 for the 97439 zip code though how many since the beginning of the pandemic is not known as LCPH does not give a specific breakdown by zip codes. There have been 438 deaths county wide. Overall COVID case numbers for the county are on a decline falling again to 304.7 cases per 100,000 and a 7 day running total now at 374.4. Rates are now mirroring numbers posted before the end of 2021.
COVID-19 Hospitalizations Increase
After a one day report atop the state list for COVID-19 Lane County has fallen behind Multnomah and Washington County for the most one day COVID cases. Lane County reported 194 yesterday. Washington reported 216 and Multnomah reported 300. Hospitalizations took a slight uptick with 12 beds added yesterday for a total of 788 in use by COVID-19 patients. The state would like to see hospitalizations in the 400 range before removing mask mandates, but that could change if a significant drop in cases occurs with a continual downward trend. The OHA is reporting that about 1/6th of all new COVID cases are breakthrough cases. Out of the more than 18,000 cases last week 3,330 were in fully vaccinated and boosted individuals.
Names Could Be Released Today
Names of the victims of Tuesday evening’s shooting in the Swisshome/Deadwood community have still not officially been released by the Lane County Sheriff’s Department. Sgt. Tom Speldrich with LCPH said that he anticipated the names would be released Wednesday evening, but they have not updated the information as of Friday morning. Social Media has reported the names and has even speculated as to how the shootings occurred but the reports are varied and even contradict. Coast Radio has reached out to the sheriff’s department requesting information.
Vote For Best Of
You have until March 7th to vote for your favorite Florence business. The Best Of campaign by the Siuslaw News and supported by the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce is soliciting the public’s opinion on where the best place to eat, shop and play exists. You can access the ballots from several places including the Siuslaw New Facebook page, their website at thesiuslawnews.com and through the chamber’s website at florencechamber.com