APRIL 30, 2021, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A9
Marion County moves back to extreme COVID risk
By JAKE THOMAS
Courtesy of Salem Reporter
Stringent COVID-19 restrictions are returning to
Marion County.
Beginning Friday, April 30, restaurants will no lon-
ger be able to off er indoor dining, outdoor social gath-
erings will be limited to six people instead of eight, and
churches will have to cut capacity. Gyms and movie
theaters 500 square feet or larger will only be allowed
to have only six customers at a time. Video lottery ter-
minals will still be allowed in bars. But regulations only
allow six people at a time who aren’t allowed to eat or
drink and must wear masks.
Gov. Kate Brown announced the changes Tuesday,
April 27, in an attempt to head off rising COVID-19 cases
that threaten to overwhelm the state's hospital system.
Less than a third of Oregon’s population has been
fully vaccinated, generally requiring two doses of vac-
cine spaced several weeks apart. In Marion County,
about 121,000 people are fully vaccinated, about a third
of the county’s population.
Despite the increase in vaccinations, both counties
have seen a rise in new cases of COVID.
In Marion County, the case rate rose to 299 cases of
COVID per 100,000 people between April 11 and April
24. That’s up from 204 cases per 100,000 from the previ-
ous two-week reporting period and 137 per 100,000 the
period before.
Counties with more than 200 new COVID cases
per 100,000 residents over two weeks are considered
“extreme risk,” but in early April Brown said she would
not impose new restrictions on those counties until
COVID-related hospitalizations increased.
The governor enacted the restrictions because
the state meeting two thresholds: hospitalizations of
COVID-positive patients exceeded 300 and the sev-
en-day total of COVID patients rose by above 15%.
Both thresholds were met with 319 COVID-positive
patients occupying hospital beds statewide and the sev-
en-day total of COVID-positive patients rising by 37.4%.
“If we don’t act now, doctors, nurses, hospitals, and
other health care providers in Oregon will be stretched
to their limits treating severe cases of COVID-19,” said
Brown. “Today’s announcement will save lives and help
stop COVID-19 hospitalizations from spiking even
higher. With new COVID-19 variants widespread in so
many of our communities, it will take all of us working
together to bring this back under control.”
Salem Health said in a statement that it is currently
at 89% of its normally licensed bed capacity. The health
care provider has been preparing additional bed capac-
ity since 2019 the company said. Typically, the hospital
has a capacity for 494 patients. Currently, it has a bed
capacity for 534 patients and is caring for 56 COVID-
positive inpatients.
COVID-19 vaccinations are now available to all
Oregonians 16 and older.
Vaccinations are the strongest tool as the country
and the world work to bring an end to the COVID-19
pandemic and protect those who are most vulnerable to
serious illness in the community.
Many large pharmacy systems are beginning to
receive COVID-19 vaccines from the federal govern-
ment. Salem Health, Lancaster Family Medical Center
and WFMC Health also have vaccination shots to
distribute.
senior housing guide
Keizer’s Best Kept Secret
DIRECTIONS
FROM KEIZER:
Drive north
on River Rd.
Turn left on
Wheatland Rd.
Go 1.5 miles. On
left side of road.
UNIT TYPES:
• independent
living includ.
studio and
1-bedroom
apartments,
2-bedroom
cottages
MONTHLY RENT: starting at $1,768
ASSISTED LIVING AVAILABILTY: yes
AMENITIES:
• Not-for-profi t, Christian community serving all faiths
• Pets allowed • No Extra Charge for a 2nd person
• 24-hour nurse on staff for emergency response
• 3-delicious homecooked meals daily
• Van service for shopping & medical appts
• Housekeeping • Great Social Activities • Church Services
7693 Wheatland Rd N, Keizer, OR 97303 • 503-393-1491 • www.willamettelutheran.com • e-mail: kay@willamettelutheran.com
DIRECTIONS
FROM KEIZER:
From I-5, turn west
on Lockhaven.
Turn left at River
Rd, then left
on Claggett St.
Immediately turn
in driveway at left.
UNIT TYPES:
• independent
living apts
• assisted
living apts
• rehabilitation,
skilled nursing
& long term
care beds
MONTHLY RENT: starting at $1 ,837
ASSISTED LIVING AVAILABILTY: yes
AMENITIES:
• Beautiful 5-acre campus • Family-like culture
• Continuum of care to meet all your loved one’s needs
• Quality lifestyle for active seniors
• Our assisted living is 9 years defi ciency-free
• WE ARE HERE FOR YOU. WE ARE FAMILY.
5210 River Rd N, Keizer, OR 97303 • PH: 503-393-3624 x340 • CELL: 971-599-9484 • www.avamerecourtatkeizer.com
DIRECTIONS
FROM KEIZER:
On River Road,
one-half mile
north of McNary
Estates. Right
on McGee Ct,
take second
driveway on left.
UNIT TYPES:
• Assisted
Living
• Memory
Care
MONTHLY RENT: starting at $2,855
ASSISTED LIVING AVAILABILITY: Yes
AMENITIES:
• Individualized Care Plans • State-of-the-art theater
• Raised garden beds • All day fresh gourmet dining
• Life enriching, meaningful, stimulating activities
• Resident created activity calendar • Courtyard walking path
• More staff on hand 24/7 than other local facilities
• Private & semi-private Memory Care apartments
1165 McGee Court NE, Keizer, OR 97303 • 503-390 -1300 • www.VillageAtKeizerRidge.com
Emerald
Pointe
Senior Living Community
DIRECTIONS
FROM KEIZER:
On River Road,
one-half mile
north of McNary
Estates.
UNIT TYPES:
• Studio
• 1 BR
w/ deck or
walk-in closet
• 2 BR, 1 BA
• 2 BR, 2 BA
w/ deck or
walk-in closet
MONTHLY RENT: starting at $1 ,350
ACTIVE INDEPENDENT LIVING: yes
AMENITIES: • Full kitchens in every apartment
• Beauty Salon • Optional Meal Plans • Staffed 24/7
• Full Activities Calendar • Weekly Excursions
• Special Dietary Needs Met • Coffee Lounge
• Housekeeping • Community Room • Activity Rooms
• Transportation to doctors, shopping, and more
• Waist High Gardens • Walking Paths • Free WiFi
1125 McGee Ct NE, Keizer, OR 97303 • 503-390-7700 • www.EmeraldPointeKeizer.com
