County commissioners updated on response to COVID-19, variance planning
Grays Harbor County Public Health & Social Services Department
Representatives from Grays Harbor County Public Health’s COVID-19 Incident Management Team and Grays Harbor County Emergency Operations Center briefed County commissioners today on the County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over this past week, the Incident Management Team has continued to assess the County’s readiness to apply for a variance under Governor Inslee’s Safe Start plan. A variance would allow the County to move to phase 2 of the plan.
At this time, the County has sufficient personal protective equipment and testing supplies as well as a sufficient number of staff trained to do case investigations. Short-term options for isolation and quarantine facilities are in place, but development of long-term options needs to be completed before the County is ready to submit an application for variance. Additionally, work is still being done to ensure that vulnerable populations are adequately protected.
“We anticipate that we will be able to provide a recommendation for consideration of movement to phase 2 by the end of the week,” said Rick Scott, Sheriff/Director of Emergency Management. “Our goal is to have plans in place that will have Public Health, Emergency Management, and public safety sectors in a position to support and respond within the framework of a phase 2 community.”
Case updates
Grays Harbor County has 13 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
March 2020: 2 cases
April 2020: 10 cases
May 2020: 1 case
Grays Harbor County Public Health will continue to operate a COVID-19 call center that will assist people with testing referrals. Assistance is available in both English and Spanish. Call (360) 964-1850. Please note that the call center’s hours of operation will once again be Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4pm.
Everyone should stay home and stay healthy. If you have to leave your home for essential activities, wear a cloth face covering.
Grays Harbor Public Health Incident Management Team and Grays Harbor Emergency Operations Center provide the most accurate, timely information possible. For any questions about COVID-19 and our response call (360) 964-1850, email covid19@co.graysharbor.wa.gov, or visit our website at http://www.healthyGH.org. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/healthyghc.