SPRINGFIELD — PeaceHealth is broadening its reach, joining with Lifepoint Health to build and operate a new inpatient rehabilitation facility in Springfield. For Alicia Beymer, chief administrative officer for both the Springfield and Cottage Grove PeaceHealth operations, identifying community needs was easy – but addressing it came with challenges. “We’re[Read More…]
Health and Wellness
‘Kraken’ variant emerges
Respiratory virus prevention steps such as masking and avoiding gatherings helped limit RSV, COVID-19, and influenza transmission over the holidays, but health officials say Oregon isn’t out of the woods yet. The latest COVID-19 variant, unofficially nicknamed the “kraken,” has the potential to be widespread in the state, compounding challenges[Read More…]
New Covid-19 booster could be available this week
Federal authorities last week authorized the use of new updated bivalent COVID-19 boosters for people 12 and older, and the updated boosters are expected to be available in Oregon as early as this week. The recommendation comes after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)[Read More…]
Heat wave fueling drownings, boating accidents in Lane
CHRONICLE FILE PHOTO / DEXTER LAKE Over the last month, water rescue operations teams in Lane County have been working overtime to fight the needless wave of drownings and boating-related deaths. The recent heat has fueled an increase in these fatalities – in Lane County alone, 11 water-related death investigations[Read More…]
‘Concerning Drop’ in blood donations
Just as most cars need to be refueled constantly, so does the nation’s blood supply. The American Red Cross has faced a concerning drop in blood and platelet donations this summer. Donors are needed to make an appointment to give in August to help prevent a blood shortage. The decline[Read More…]
Lane County releases pandemic recovery plan
Lane County has released its Annual Recovery Plan, providing residents with transparent information regarding efforts to respond to the coronavirus pandemic and promote economic recovery. Lane County was directly awarded $74.2 million in Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021. To date,[Read More…]
It’s tomato time
You know it’s summer when you bite into your first juicy ripe tomato. If you’re growing your own, you know once they start ripening, they don’t stop. Luckily, there are so many ways to use the bounty (besides sharing them with others), that you won’t have to worry about them[Read More…]
Blueberries a plentiful harvest in Willamette Valley
Beautiful blueberries ready to be picked at Adkins Blueberry Farm. They’re round. They’re sweet. They’re good for your health and for the local economy. With the blueberry season in full swing, Oregon nearly leads the pack of production harvest nationwide. Next to Washington, Oregon is second in the nation for[Read More…]
OHA, county monitoring wastewater during Worlds
The World Athletics Championships in Lane County, July 15-24, will feature some of the planet’s greatest track athletes competing at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field, with tens of thousands of expected attendees coming from across the country and the world. For scientists who track the spread of diseases, the[Read More…]
County: Masking recommended
Lane County Public Health announced that due to sustained community transmission and a strained medical system, all community members in Lane County should mask up in indoor spaces. This recommendation follows Oregon Health Authority and Centers for Disease Control guidelines and is especially timely as thousands of visitors are in[Read More…]
