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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 24, 2016)
8 A SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2016 Oregon Health Authority reminds residents to receive flu shots Influenza cases are rising in Oregon, and although the increase is expected this time of year, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) officials say it shows flu season is off to a strong and early start. It’s also a good reminder that it’s not too late to get a flu shot, said Paul Cieslak, MD, of the OHA Public Health Division. “The winter months are a time when we find ourselves indoors a lot, gathering with family, friends and col- leagues, and it’s also a very good time for the flu virus to spread,” said Cieslak, medical director in Public Health Division’s Acute and Communicable Disease Prevention Section and the Oregon Immunization Program. “People can get a vaccination now and be ready for the festivities.” During the week of Dec. 4- 10, Oregon laboratories reported 207 specimens that were positive for influenza. That’s up from 134 positive flu specimens during Nov. 27 through Dec. 3, and from 117 positive specimens during Nov. 20 through 27. Most of the cases have been influenza A, this season’s pre- dominant flu type. Hospitalizations have jumped sharply in recent weeks, too. So far, there have been a total of 66 hospitaliza- tions for influenza-like ill- nesses — based on monitor- ing in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties — since flu season began the first week of October. That includes 23 hospital- izations the week of Dec. 4 through 10, up from 17 during Nov. 27 through Dec. 3, and 13 during Nov. 20 through 26. There have been no pedi- atric deaths attributed to the flu this season, officials say. The Public Health Division does not track adult flu deaths. “While this is shaping up to be a heavy flu season, this uptick during this time of the year is fairly typical,” Cieslak said. “Flu season doesn’t usu- ally peak until late February or early March, so people can and should get their flu shots.” Flu is a virus that causes mild to severe respiratory ill- ness and can lead to hospital- ization. The virus kills thou- sands of people in the U.S. each year. People who are at higher risk of severe illness or death include children, adults older than 65, pregnant women and those with chron- ic medical conditions or weak immune systems. The flu vaccine is the best protection against flu. It can take up to two weeks to become effective, so getting it earlier in the season is ideal. That said, it’s not too late, since flu season usually lasts THIS WEEK ON THE until spring. Vaccinations are recom- mended for everyone 6 months and older. So far, flu vaccine manu- facturers have shipped more than 1.1 million doses to Oregon during the 2016-2017 flu season. More than a mil- lion of these doses have been reported to Oregon’s ALERT Immunization Information System as having been admin- istered. Other ways to help prevent flu: • Stay home and limit con- tact with others if you are sick; that includes staying home from work or school when you are sick. • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue out when you are done. • Wash hands with soap and water. Use an alcohol-based hand rub if soap and water are not available. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. • Clean and disinfect sur- faces and objects that may have flu germs on them. • Avoid getting coughed and sneezed on. Flu vaccine is available from health care providers, local health departments and many pharmacies. To find a flu vaccine clinic, visit www.flu.oregon.gov and use OHA’s flu vaccine locator tool. COAST A W EEKLY L ISTING OF C OMMUNITY E VENTS IN THE F LORENCE A REA S UBMIT ALL E VENTS I NFORMATION VIA E MAIL TO P RESS R ELEASES @T HE S IUSLAW N EWS . COM Gem Walkers will be walking the new Toledo Ridge and River C ANDLE LIGHT SERVICES YRE. This 10K walk includes • Florence Christian Church some hilly areas that would be invites families and all members difficult for wheelchairs or of the community to its Christmas strollers. Candle Light services today at Those wishing to carpool to 4 and 5:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. Toledo should meet at the 25, at 10 a.m., at Second and Ivy Commons in Yachats. The carpool streets. will depart at 9 a.m., so arrive a • A Christmas Eve Candlelight few minutes early. Service will be held at Walkers can also meet at JC’s Resurrection Lutheran Church, Thriftway in Toledo at 10 a.m. to located about one mile south of register for the walk. the Siuslaw River Bridge on The walk will begin at 10:15 Highway 101, at 5 p.m. The a.m. church is also having Christmas morning Sunday Services on Dec. M ORNING A FTER F UN R UN 25 at 10 a.m. Everyone is wel- The 30-plus year tradition con- come. tinues in Old Town Florence dur- ing this year’s annual Morning Upcoming events After Fun Run (walk or stroll) for those who want to “get going first N EW YEAR ’ S WALKABOUT thing next year.” On Tuesday, Jan. 3, the Coastal The run/walk will take place Saturday, Dec. 24 CUSTOM ENGRAVING & CUTTING New Years Day, Sunday, Jan. 1, beginning at 10 a.m., under the Siuslaw River Bridge on Bay Street. The walk/run is about 3.1 miles. Afterwards, share stories and hot drinks at Siuslaw Coffee Roasters in Old Town. There is no entry fee, no motorized things, no train- ing, no racing and no complain- ing. P EACE H IKE IN YACHATS Start the New Year off by join- ing with the Yachats Trails Committee and other coastal resi- dents for the Seventh Annual Yachats New Year’s Day Peace Hike. Participants should meet at the Yachats Commons, 441 N. Highway 10,1 in Yachats, at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. For more information, contact Commerical • Residential Weekly, Bi-Weekly, Monthly, One Time Pick-Up. We buy, sell and consign quality estate/heirloom jewelry & furniture. Gold, silver, platinum jewelry with precious & semi precious stones. 541-997-5691 541-361-9080 Easy curb side recycling program- No additional costs to our customers. Call 541-997-8104, jmirvis@charter.net Florence, Oregon Call us at 541-997-8233 Florence Antiques C ITY C LUB HOSTS B EAR , I NSKIP Emily Bear and Christy Inskip, who work with Lane County Prevention Section of Public Health, will speak at City Club of Florence Friday, Jan. 6, at Ocean Dunes Golf Links Club house at 3345 Munsel Lake Road. A lunch menu is available from 11:30 a.m. to noon; the program runs from noon to 1 p.m. and is open to the public. The talk will focus on what Lane County does for underage drinking and tobacco prevention and the work being done in the Siuslaw area. For more information, call Ruth Baumrucker at 541-305-9003. ESTATE JEWELRY AND ANTIQUE FURNITURE!!! Awards • Plaques • Name Badges Gifts • Signage • Glassware Joanne Kittel at jnkittel@peak. org, call 541-547-3144 or visit the Yachats Trails Committee online at www.yachatstrails.org. Siuslaw News 148 Maple St. • PO Box 10 • Florence, OR 97439 (541) 997-3441 • Fax (541) 997-7979 www.thesiuslawnews.com Auto, Home, Life, Business Flood, Antique Auto, RV’s Medicare Advantage Plans Medicare Supplements Health Insurance Phone (541) 997-9497 1234 Rhododendron Dr / Florence Advertise your business here. Call us TODAY!
