New COVID-19 cases continue to drop in Grays Harbor County, and public health is reaching out to schools, the homebound and event coordinators to boost the county’s vaccination numbers.
“Case counts continue to be on the decline, as well as cluster-outbreaks within the community,” said April Heikklia, who is Grays Harbor County Public Health Healthy People Division Manager.
There were 37 new cases reported in the county the week of June 17-23 and two hospitalizations. New cases were up from the previous week’s 27, but also included 20 cases in two days, June 17 and 18.
The county’s rate of new cases per 100,000 over the previous two weeks has dropped to 153.9, down from 190 on June 16, and a major decrease from the 306.5 reported June 9.
Public health continues to reach out with vaccinations as the state prepares to reopen at the end of the month, and as the summer festival season builds Heikkila said the county can set up vaccination clinics at those events.
“I do have a mobile vaccination team that can stand up operations at those events,” she said. “These vaccinations continue to be free and we will make every effort to support community events.”
There were only seven vaccinations given at the mobile clinic on June 19 at the Elma Speedway. Clinics were also held in the past week at North Beach High School and the Taholah School District — 66 vaccinations between the two — and six vaccinations given to homebound residents.
Clinics will be held at the Aberdeen Sunday Market on July 11 and July 25. Heikkila said public health will be working with HUD and the Grays Harbor Housing Authority to visit the county’s HUD buildings in July, and is continuing its outreach plans for the homeless and other hard to reach populations.
Vaccines are in abundance at providers across the county. Go to vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov to find one near you. The public health building on Sumner Avenue continues to provide clinics Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. People can schedule an appointment at healthygh.org/covid19-vaccine-appointment.
