New COVID-19 Numbers
The Oregon Health Authority released its latest numbers for COVID-19. The 97439 zip code numbers increased by 54 since the last reporting which was on the 14th of September. Changes in the reporting and gathering of information have changed drastically since the height of the pandemic. At home testing, vaccinations, and staffing have reduced the numbers over time. There are now 2042 all time cases for the Florence area. Cases across the state continue to be high. The Oregon Health Authority continues to report numbers weekly. There were 3700 cases reported late yesterday. 32 new deaths were reported in the same time frame associated with the virus and there are 248 individuals in the hospital with COVID-19. 29 of them are in Intensive Care. There has been reports of increased vaccinations for the bivalent booster. Statewide more than a ¼ of a million individuals have received the booster since it was introduced. Although testing reports have diminished over time the number of positive cases in those reported is still fairly high according to the OHA report at 8.2%.
Air Quality Alert
The Lane Regional Air Protection Agency along with the Oregon department of Environmental Quality has issued an air quality alert for the coastal area including Mapleton. Wildfire smoke continue to affect conditions. Air quality is expected to be worse in the valley, but people with heart and lung conditions should be cautious.
Cost of Living Increase for SNAP Recipients
If you receive SNAP benefits from the state of Oregon, you will be seeing a little more in your card each month. The Oregon Department of Human Services, which handles the program, announced yesterday that it will be increasing benefits 12% to cover a cost of living. The maximum increase for a family of two would be $519.00 and a family of four would increase from $835.00 to $939.00. this increase will be seen in the October round of distribution. Jana McLellan is the interim director for Health and Human Services says the increase was passed down from the federal program, while families are still being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the rising cost of delivering food due to rising gas prices. If you have been impacted by the current conditions you can still apply for benefits at one.oregon.gov.
Tourism on the Slate for Asia Trip
The Oregon Coast and the rest of Oregon will be on the docket for Governor Kate Brown’s trade mission to Asia. Brown will be visiting Japan and South Korea in the first trade mission to Asia since 2019. She says they will be planting the seeds for the future of Oregon’s economy. 100,000 plus jobs in the state are supported by tourism which is a $10.9 billion dollar industry for the state. tourism generates 1.2 billion dollars in state and local tax revenue. Oregon also exports almost 30 billion dollars in goods.
