The Oregon Health Authority is fielding rising case counts on two fronts – monkeypox and COVID-19. Last week, the OHA reported nearly 1,500 new Covid cases across the state. The Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 have come on so strong in Oregon it may seem like everyone you know has[Read More…]
Health and Wellness
Tips to keep your child’s skin protected
Editor’s Note: Parenting Now and The Chronicle have partnered together to provide valuable resources and parenting information to families. The sun is finally coming out to stay for the summer and with that comes the possibility of sunburns for big kids and even for infants. While we are excited for[Read More…]
Lane wrestles with fentanyl epidemic
Medical supplies used at the HIV Alliances syringe exchange pop-ups, where Narcan and Fentanyl test strips are available for public use. Fentanyl is here, in Lane County. The drug is just one deadly element of a national opioid and drug overdose epidemic. The Springfield Police Department responded to nearly 75[Read More…]
Monkeypox cases found in county
Two cases of Monkeypox (hMPXV) have been identified in Lane County residents. By press time Tuesday an epidemiological link between this second case and the first has not been established, according to Lane County Public Health. Monkeypox is a rare but potentially serious viral illness that typically involves flu-like symptoms,[Read More…]
Bracing for impact
Residents turned out Friday night in the Eugene/Springfield area after the U.S. Supreme Count overturned national abortion rights, leaning the decisions up to the individual states. While Oregon abortion laws remain intact, health care providers anticipates its services will soon be strained by neighboring states whose residents may need to[Read More…]
Open wounds can lead to illness, amputation if not treated urgently
Diabetics are at a particular risk of foot ulcers, which could lead to amputation. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have brought amputation risk to the forefront of wound care expert’s minds, as many suffering from chronic wounds have not sought needed care during the past two years. The result[Read More…]
Supervised exercise program receives $100k
Paul Esselstyn participates in the supervised exercise program at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center in Springfield. The program is a multi-step approach to help pulmonary, cardiac and vascular patients develop customized exercise routines. They complete their workouts in the Oregon Heart & Vascular Institute (OHVI) gym at RiverBend, where trained[Read More…]
Lane County ramps up mental health services
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Oregon ranks 5th in the country with the highest rates of mental health issues. But after years of brainstorming ideas, Lane County wants to do something about it. The county is planning to create a 29,000-square-foot mental health stabilization center. “We have[Read More…]
Knowing symptoms key to surviving strokes
By ERIN TIERNEY, [email protected] It’s the third-leading cause of death in Oregon. Yet, it doesn’t even hurt. What’s worse is that, oftentimes, you don’t even know it’s happening.Recognizing the symptoms of stroke and seeking immediate medical attention can mean the difference of recovering almost completely and suffering major impairments, or[Read More…]
Baby formula shortage hits home in Lane County
The shelves were bare at the Walmart on Olympic Street in Springfield on Monday, June 6, as limitations have been placed on the quantity sold. A sign to customers reads: “Effective immediately, all infant formula sales are limited to five units per child per customer per day.” As an unprecedented[Read More…]