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Omicron leads to record number of COVID cases By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World
Record numbers of COVID-19 cases just a week ago have already been shattered as the Omicron variant continues to spread like wildfire in Coos County. With the rapid increase in cases, COVID cases soared past 8,000 for the pandemic and stood at 8,377 as of Thursday. There were 1,574 active cases with 15 people in the hospital. The latest
report from Bay Area Hospital showed 12 COVID patients, eight unvaccinated and four fully vaccinated. No patients were in the ICU. Dr. Eric Gleason, assistant director of Coos Health and Wellness, said the record numbers probably don’t even tell the whole story right now. “With at-home tests and having to triage at the moment due to a shortage of tests, our numbers are not going to be
accurate,” Gleason said. “We are probably low. We want to be as accurate as we can, but we’re under the 8-ball.” Gleason said anyone who tests positive with an at-home test should call 866-917-8881 to report the result to the Oregon Health Authority. Gleason added that with the high transmissive level of Omicron, people who previously had COVID are getting reinfected. “We’re starting to see rein-
fections,” he said. “We’ve been seeing that since Delta popped up, but it’s going to be more prevalent now.” The symptoms from Omicron are also different than anything seen before, with a wide range of symptoms reported. “It’s hit or miss,” said Becky Fairhurst, COVID lead for Coos Health and Wellness. “You could just have a sore throat you could feel like you’ve been hit by a truck for days.”
With the wide range of symptoms, Gleason reiterated how important it was to stay home if you have even a mild sickness. “If you have symptoms, just assume you have it,” Gleason said. “It’s so contagious and it moves so fast, if you have symptoms, you probably have it.” Fairhurst agreed, saying even if you don’t have COVID, you should stay home if you are sick. Please see COVID, Page A10
Photos by David Rupkalvis/The World
Left: Congressman Peter DeFazio looks out over the Coos Bay North Jetty while touring the area with members of the Coast Guard last year. Above: The North Jetty is shrinking up to 20 feet a year due to waves crashing into the rocks. After Congressman Peter DeFazio secured funding to repair the jetty, work will begin soon to lengthen and secure the structure.
DeFazio secures funding to repair North Jetty By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World
The long-awaited repairs to the Coos Bay Jetty could begin soon after Congressman Peter DeFazio announced last week nearly $33 million in federal funding was available to pay for the repairs. “I have been fighting for years for much-needed funding to support the Coos Bay North Jetty, which is in desperate need of repair,” said DeFazio. “Ongoing jetty deterioration has increased danger for ships, boaters and commercial fisherman, and puts economic opportunity at risk. The funding will allow jetty repairs to finally begin. By bringing the North Jetty into a state of good repair, we’ll ensure safer conditions at the Port of Coos Bay and enhance economic opportunity
by supporting the port’s work to attract a new class of shippers.” The Coos Bay North Jetty loses approximately 20 feet every year and has receded more than 750 feet since its construction. The Port of Coos Bay will use this funding to keep mariners out of harm’s way and support the Coast Guard’s ability to carry out search and rescue missions. DeFazio, who toured the jetty last year, said he was relieved to have funding available for the needed repairs. “This has been a very long-term effort,” he said. “There’s been a lot of ups and downs in the process. As recently as December, the bid was about to expire, which meant the Corps (of Engineers) would have to start over again.” DeFazio said the Corps was able to negotiate an extension to the bid, and
DeFazio finally learned last week it was being released by the Office of Management and Budget. “Now we’re set,” DeFazio said. “The project is good to go forward, phase 1 and phase 2, for completion.” DeFazio said he hopes to get some additional funding for phase 2 in this year’s budget process. “We’re going to get the jetty done,” the congressman said. He said getting the money was absolutely necessary as the rate of decay at the jetty has increased in recent years. “Jettys don’t just fail gradually,” he explained. “Once they lose the head, they fail rapidly. It’s critical that the jetty work be done.” DeFazio said repairing the jetty will be a major step toward helping the Inter-
national Port of Coos Bay’s efforts to opening a shipping container facility in the area. He added, the harbor would need to be dredged and deepened to enable the big ships to get into and out of the port. “If we can get this container port, it will be a game changer for Coos Bay,” DeFazio said. After getting funding to repair the Coos Bay rail line and now funding for the jetty repairs, DeFazio said he is fully behind having a shipping container facility in Coos Bay. “Shipping is the most energy efficient way to move freight. Rail is the second most,” DeFazio said. “There is a great need for a container port. I can’t see a downside to a container port. It’s the most energy efficient way to move freight. It will create good jobs, not only in construction but long-term.”
North Bend, Coos Bay partner with county to apply for homeless program By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World
Contributed photo
North Bend Mayor Jessica Engelke, Councilor Bill Richardson and City Administrator David Milliron are all smiles after North Bend signed on to participate on a pilot program to handle the homelessness crisis.
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The cities of Coos Bay and North Bend and partnering with Coos County in an effort to be part of a state pilot program to help combat homelessness. State Rep. Joseph Kroph has proposed legislation to create the pilot program, which would give $1 million over two years to eight counties and cities to address homelessness. The legislation will be considered in the legislative session next month. State Rep. Boomer Wright has agreed to support the legislation and signed on as a sponsor. Kroph’s legislation would not offer new services on its own, but it would increase communication and coordination between municipalities and allow them to identify gaps in services. The program would come with four basic standards: Working with regional partners; establishing oversight boards in the regions; developing a fiveyear strategic plan to identify service gaps; and finding ways
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to sustain funding beyond the two years the state will provide money. The legislation lists eight counties/cities that would be part of the pilot program. They include: Benton County/City of Corvallis Coos County/City of Coos Bay/City of North Bend Deschutes County/City of Bend Hood River County/Wasco County/Sherman County/City of The Dalles/City of Hood River/ Mid-Columbia Community Action Council Lincoln County/Lincoln City/ City of Newport/City of Toledo Polk County/Falls City/City of Monmouth/City of Independence/City of Willamina/City of Dallas/Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde/Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency Tillamook County/City of Tillamook/Bay City/City of Garibaldi/City of Rockaway Beach/ Please see HOMELESS, Page A10
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