By Dan Hammock
The Daily World
Grays Harbor County health officials have reported a 14th case of COVID-19, this one involving a resident of Pacific Care and Rehabilitation Center, a skilled nursing facility in Hoquiam.
All residents, families and health care workers have been notified of the situation, county officials said. The resident is in isolation and public health staff are completing a case investigation.
Pacific Care manager Mark Cheney said the facility, with its resident population in the 50s and 111 staff members, are all being tested in conjunction with Grays Harbor Public Health.
“They have got us our supplies and are working to expedite the testing process to get answers as soon as possible,” he said.
Visitations at the facility were stopped in the middle of April and the facility has allowed visitors only for end-of-life situations since, said Cheney, and safety measures were in place for several weeks prior to the positive test, said Cheney.
“They had to go through a screening process before they came in, and if needed had to wear the full PPE gear” to visit, said Cheney. About three weeks ago the facility installed an isolation wing and put in negative pressure fans, designed to filter 99 percent of bacteria, mold and dust in the air.
Also, for the last 12 weeks, any incoming residents to the facility were isolated for a minimum of 14 days to observe for symptoms, and had to test negative for the virus. Current residents were tested if they showed any signs of the virus.
“We have a lot of people who work really hard and are focused on trying to keep this out of the building,” said Cheney. “I’m hopeful (the positive case) will be isolated because of the precautions we’ve taken.”
After nearly a month during which the number of cases held steady at 12 in Grays Harbor County, Thursday’s reported case represented two positive cases in two days.
Health officials said Grays Harbor County Public Health’s COVID-19 Incident Management Team is working closely with Pacific Care and the Washington State Department of Health to ensure the facility has adequate supplies of personal protective equipment and COVID-19 testing supplies. All residents and staff will be tested for COVID-19.
