There are now six confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Grays Harbor County, according to an update released by Grays Harbor County Public Health.
“Three additional cases of COVID-19 were identified on April 4,” read a statement Sunday from Brianne Probasco, Public Health Community Health Specialist. “Public health staff are reviewing the cases and notifying close contacts. Grays Harbor Public Health Incident Management Team (IMT) remains prepared to respond if any additional cases are identified.”
Two individuals tested positive in March, the first a man in his 60s March 11. Four additional individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 so far in April.
Public Health said Monday it will no longer release information as to the age and gender of those who test positive.
“We will not be reporting gender or age for any cases moving forward due to the potential for people to be identified in our small community,” said Public Health Director Karolyn Holden. “We will release information about whether or not the person is hospitalized.”
According to Grays Harbor Community Hospital spokesman Chris Majors, as of Monday morning, the hospital is currently tending to just one COVID-19-positive patient. “However, we have several we are waiting for test results to return,” he said.
Public Health continues to track the number of test kits available, and the results of those tests once they come back.
“The numbers around testing are very fluid,” said Holden. “We are monitoring levels of materials to support testing for all testing sites and requesting additional supplies when needed. We will include information about how to access negative test numbers in an upcoming press release.”
Last week, Holden reported that state Department of Commerce funds — just under $390,000 for Grays Harbor County, just under $290,000 for Pacific County — to work with hotels and motels for potential use as short term isolation and quarantine facilities. Holden said Public Health is working toward securing locations and determining what people would be served by the facilities. People who are homeless could qualify, and others who need in need of quarantine or isolation, but unable to do so in their homes.
“We are close to having a plan in place including a process for intake, assessment of needs, and support for people in isolation or quarantine,” Holden said Monday. “We’ll release that information once the agreements are all in place.”
The plan will also address issues such as transportation, cleaning, security, food, medical care, and other essential supports, according to Public Health.
The following is directly from Public Health:
Current priorities
The best way to prevent spread of COVID-19 is washing your hands thoroughly and frequently, not touching your face, and staying at home as much as possible. Residents should continue to follow Gov. Jay Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order and only leave their home for essential activities.
Testing continues to be available for those that meet the criteria established by Dr. John Bausher, Grays Harbor County Health Officer. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 you can call Grays Harbor Public Health’s COVID-19 call center at 360-964-1850 and speak with a medical professional who can assess whether or not you meet criteria for testing.
What people should do
Grays Harbor County resident should do their part by following Governor Jay Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order, according to Public Health. Stay home unless you need to pursue an essential activity like shopping for groceries or going to a medical appointment.
Residents should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities, and cannot maintain 6 feet of physical distance from others. This recommendation is not a substitute for existing guidance to maintain six feet of physical distance from non-household members and performing frequent hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Wearing cloth face coverings will not prevent spread of COVID-19 without these other protective measures. This is not a mandate that you must wear a face covering. It is considered an additional layer of protection.
Where to get information
The incident management team will be working to get information out as it becomes available. Residents can call the Grays Harbor Public Health COVID-19 call center at 360-964-1850 for information about COVID-19. The number will be staffed from 8:30am- 4:00pm Monday through Friday.
Local information and resources related to COVID-19 are also available on the Public Health website at www.healthygh.org/covid19.
