Two new positive COVID-19 test results have been reported in Pacific County since Friday. Both are from the same household, with both residing outside the county for almost a month, according to Pacific County Public Health and Human Services.

“The individual with this positive case (reported Monday) resides in the same household as the last previously reported positive case in Pacific County (reported Friday),” according to a Public Health statement. “Both share a residence in Pacific County but have been residing outside of Pacific County. This individual has also been away from Pacific County for almost a month and is in isolation and recovery at a residence outside of Pacific County.”

The cases are not related to the previous positive case at Willapa Harbor Health and Rehab Center and will not impact the county’s application with the state Department of Health for a Phase 3 variance, according to the statement.

This brings the total number of COVID-19 cases attributed to Pacific County to 12, with one reported death.

A 20th case of COVID-19 was reported in Grays Harbor County on Thursday, June 11, according to the county emergency operations center, bringing the total of positive test results for that county to 20. Three of those were reported this month.

Many have asked why positive test results that come from outside the county, but have a Pacific County address listed as their primary residence, get counted in Pacific County totals.

Stephanie Michael, Pacific County Department of Health and Human Resources representative to the Pacific County Unified Command, explained: “All communicable disease tracking, including COVID-19, is done by a person’s permanent residence. In cases like these, public health departments have to work together to make sure proper case and contact tracing management occurs to limit the spread of disease. It is not a perfect system and does impact our data as stated, but it does create a standard to ensure all cases are identified and managed.”