Grays Harbor Public Health COVID-19 response update
Grays Harbor County Public Health & Social Services Department
Case updates
Grays Harbor County has 6 confirmed case of COVID-19.
· March 2020: 2 Cases
· April 2020: 4 Case
Response efforts
Three additional cases of COVID-19 were identified on April 4. 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.
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 Governor 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.
A flyer with information about COVID-19 and our call center number is available for download and printing (see attachment). If your business or organization would like copies for posting, please email covid19@co.grays-harbor.wa.us.
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 County resident 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. You can also call Grays Harbor Community Hospital’s primary care clinic for patients with respiratory symptoms at 1-866-537-2778.
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.