Grays Harbor Public Health COVID-19 response update
Grays Harbor County Public Health & Social Services Department
Case updates
Grays Harbor County has 12 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
· March 2020: 2 cases
· April 2020: 10 cases
No additional cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Grays Harbor County since April 12. Grays Harbor Public Health Incident Management Team (IMT) remains prepared to respond if any additional cases are identified.
Response efforts
Grays Harbor Public Health is increasing the availability and accessibility of testing for essential workers in Grays Harbor County. Starting Wednesday, April 15, Grays Harbor Public Health, local public safety agencies, and the Washington Army and Air National Guard will be offering drive-through COVID-19 testing in Aberdeen.
Grays Harbor Public Health recognizes the importance of essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. “These workers are making it possible for our cities and county to continue to function during this crisis,” said Dr. John Bausher, Grays Harbor County Health Officer.
The list of essential workers is broad, and includes food service, grocery store, and farm workers. Public Health reminds everyone to respect social distancing guidelines when in stores and picking-up food.
“The people who are working to make sure we have access to food have the challenge of adapting to a new way of doing their jobs. We are supporting them, and other essential workers, by making sure they have access to testing. I want to thank all essential workers in Grays Harbor County - and encourage them to get tested if they have symptoms,” said Bausher.
Testing is available for people who:
· Are experiencing symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) and
· Are 18 years or older and
o Are currently working outside their home (essential workers) or
o Are living with someone who is working outside their home or
o Are pregnant or
o Have an underlying health condition or
o Are experiencing homelessness
If you meet the above criteria, you are highly encouraged to be tested. Testing is by-appointment only. To make an appointment, call Grays Harbor Public Health’s COVID -19 Call Center at (360) 964-1850. The call center is open 7 days/week from 8:30 AM until 4:00 PM to schedule appointments and answer questions about COVID-19 in Grays Harbor County. Testing will run daily as supplies permit.
What people should do
Grays Harbor County residents should do their part by following Governor Jay Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order. 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 6-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.
If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, difficulty breathing), seek medical attention.
If you have a regular healthcare provider, call your provider.
If you do not have a regular health care provider, 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 and can schedule you an appointment at our drive-through testing site. You can also call Grays Harbor Community Hospital’s primary care clinic for patients with respiratory symptoms at 1-866-537-2778 or Summit Pacific Medical Center’s Respiratory Care Unit nurse line at 360-346-2222.
Where to get information
The incident management team will be working to get information out as it becomes available.
Grays Harbor Public Health has set up a call center to answer questions about COVID-19. Call (360) 964-1850 or email covid19@co.graysharbor.wa.gov.
The call center is available 7 days/week between 8:30am-4pm and is bi-lingual (English and Spanish).
Residents who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, difficulty breathing) can also call the call center for testing and medical care referrals.
Local information and resources related to COVID-19 are also available on our website at www.healthygh.org.
About Grays Harbor Public Health’s COVID-19 response
On March 17, 2020 Grays Harbor Public Health activated an incident management team to coordinate the local response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the direction of a policy group that includes local officials, medical and emergency response experts, and the Grays Harbor County Health Officer, the incident management team is using the best public health and medical science to control and mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grays Harbor Public Health works to improve the health and well-being of the people of Grays Harbor.
Visit our website at http://www.healthygh.org. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/healthyghc.