Grays Harbor Public Health COVID-19 response update
Grays Harbor County Public Health & Social Services Department
Case updates
Grays Harbor County has 2 confirmed case of COVID-19.
· On March 11 Grays Harbor Public Health was notified that a Grays Harbor County resident had tested positive for COVID-19.
· On March 30 Grays Harbor Public Health was notified that second Grays Harbor County resident had tested positive for COVID-19.
Response efforts
Recent accomplishments
The Grays Harbor Public Health Incident Management Team is making progress on establishing a short-term isolation and quarantine facility. With support of Washington State Department of Commerce grant funds designed to work with local area hotel/motel industry, Public Health is developing a strategy to implement this type of facility for the community. Funding from this grant is to address the COVID19 outbreak-related public health needs of people experiencing homelessness or otherwise in need of quarantine or isolation.
The plan being developed in Grays Harbor will create a system that will allow for the rapid identification of individuals who need support to successfully isolate or quarantine. In addition it will provide for emergency housing options that will allow people to isolate or quarantine as needed. The plan will also address issues such as transportation, cleaning, security, food, medical care, and other essential supports.
People who need support to isolate or quarantine can call Grays Harbor Public Health’s COVID-19 call center at (360) 964-1850.
Current priorities
Grays Harbor Public Health continues to work with local agencies to develop plans and processes focused on the objectives of prevention, information, early identification, and mitigation.
Grays Harbor Public Health and Grays Harbor Emergency Management continue to work to bring more testing supplies to our county.
Background
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.
What people should do
Grays Harbor Public Health encourages every Grays Harbor County resident to do their part by following Governor Jay Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order.
If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, difficulty breathing) and have a regular healthcare provider, you should call your provider to ask about testing.
If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, difficulty breathing ) and 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.
The care for COVID-19 is the same as for other respiratory illnesses:
Drink plenty of fluids.
Rest.
Take pain and fever medications as needed.
There are no medications specifically approved for treating COVID-19.
The CDC and FDA are reminding people that chloroquine phosphate (used to treat disease in aquarium fish) are not intended for human consumption and can lead to serious health consequences, including death.
Medications like chloroquine phosphate and hydroxychloroquine sulfate should be taken only when prescribed by and under the supervision of your healthcare provider and always according to the instructions provided.
Seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing any unexpected symptoms after taking chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine by contacting your healthcare provider or the poison center (1-800-222-1222).
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 our website at www.healthygh.org/covid19.