Governor EO to Bolster Hospitals
Governor Kate Brown issued an executive order giving hospitals the flexibility and support to combat the surges in RSV, Influenza and COVID-19. That flexibility comes in the form of allowing hospitals to draw from a pool of medical volunteer doctors and nurses. The state is pitching in $25 million dollars in supplemental nurse staffing contracts to ease the burden. Dr. Willie Foster, head of the Emergency Department of Peace Harbor hospital says while cases at PeaceHealth are rising Peace Harbor has not seen the increase that more urban centers have. Having said that the impact of influenza coming off the height of the COVID-19 pandemic is significant.
“Some years are worse than others in terms of the flu season, this year is turning out to be a pretty significant flu season.”
In fact he says it appears to be the heaviest since records have been kept. Foster says they are seeing cases locally and are even admitting some covid positive patients, but he says the covid diagnosis is usually a secondary find and not a reason that someone is entering the hospital. He also says it is not too late if you are considering getting a flu shot. He says it could be some time before the outbreak wanes.
Crab Delay
Commercial Dungeness crab season continues to be delayed following another round of testing. According to Oregon Department of fish and wildlife the meat yield is still too low to give the consumers a quality product and the levels of domoic acid are still elevated in the viscera. ODFW expects another round of testing in the coming weeks, but have not disclosed the date. The hopes is that they will be able to open the season by the 31st of December. Depending on their findings the season could be further delayed, opened in sections or opened altogether.
Accident
Yesterday morning’s accident on 9th street in Florence left about 15 business or households without power for several hours. A red Honda CRV crashed into a power pole at about 6am yesterday morning snapping a power pole across from the offices of Hyak. The driver was taken to Peace Harbor hospital with injuries. Florence police have not yet released details on the accident, but photos taken at the scene show significant damage to three sides of the vehicle and hood and roof. Central Lincoln PUD crews were on the scene quickly and power was restored mid-morning.
