Local News – Flu Restricts Visitations – Bozevich Address Kiwanis – Lower Umpqua Opens Walk In Clinic

Health Facilities Limiting Visiting Hours

More Oregon hospitals are imposing restrictions on visitors to guard against the spread of flu.

Legacy Health announced Thursday that patients can have no more than two visitors at a time; and those 18 and younger are limited to immediate family members only.

The Medford Mail Tribune reports ProvidenceHospital has put similar restrictions on visitors under 18, saying school age children have higher rates of exposure to flu.

Grant Walker of Asante hospitals in Medford, Ashland and Grants Pass say experts there do not believe there is a larger than usual number of cases so far.  Asante Hospitals normally restrict visits by children under the age of 14 to patients who are at a high risk for infection, but have imposed no other restrictions.

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West Lane County Commissioner Jay Bozievich will be speaking to a Florence group next week.  Bozievich will update members of the Florence Kiwanis Club next Wednesday as to the status of implementation of a voter approved special tax levy to operate the Lane County Jail.

In May, voters approved a five-year, $79-million levy that, so far, has helped reduce the number of early releases because of capacity issues from about one-hundred a month to a third of that.

Bozievich will also deliver a general updated on the “state” of LaneCounty, as well as present the status of the Commission’s search for a new administrator.

Former administrator Liane Richardson was fired in August after changes to her compensation plan were made without the knowledge of the Commissioners.

The Florence Kiwanis Club meets every Wednesday, from noon to one, at the Florence Elks Lodge on 12th   Street.  It’s open to the public and lunch is available.

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LowerUmpquaHospital in Reedsport opened a new “walk-in” clinic this week.  It will allow patients with “non-emergency” medical needs quicker access to care.  Rather than have to wait for an appointment that could be days or even weeks away, patients can ‘walk in’ between noon and 8 pm Wednesdays through Sundays and be seen.

Most insurance plans are accepted and all patients will be seen as time permits, regardless of whether or not they have a primary care physician.

Medical experts say access to this type of clinic can help reduce overall medical costs by shifting patients away from more expensive emergency room visits.

The walk in clinic is at the Reedsport Medical Clinic at 385 Ranch Road next to the hospital.