Lummi Nation announces two positive cases of coronavirus in Whatcom County
The Lummi Nation confirmed two positive cases of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, in Whatcom County residents, according to a press release Tuesday evening, March 17.
The two positive tests bring to seven the number of Whatcom County of residents diagnosed with the respiratory illness, the Whatcom County Health Department reported Wednesday, March 18.
The Lummi Nation reported the two new cases are:
▪ A Lummi Indian Business Council non-tribal employee who resides in Whatcom County.
▪ A Lummi community member who resides on the Lummi reservation.
The county health department said that one of the cases is a man in his 50s and the second is male teenager. Additionally, one of the cases had close contact with another laboratory-confirmed case, while the other is still being investigated.
“The Public Health team has already taken immediate steps to identify close contacts and instruct them to self-quarantine and is prepared to offer testing to those that were exposed and experiencing symptoms,” the Lummi Nation release stated. “The Public Health Team will continue to provide updates to the community as soon as it becomes available.”
The Lummi Public Health Department also will work closely with Whatcom County health offices to track any other affected individuals, the release said, adding that anyone with questions should call Lummi Public Health at 360-383-8251.
Last week, a Lummi Indian Business Council employee who lives in King County was diagnosed with COVID-19.
COVID-19 in Whatcom County
Also on Tuesday, the county and state health departments announced three more people from Whatcom County tested positive for COVID-19.
One of the new cases is identified as a man in his 40s and the second is a man in his 60s who is in St. Joseph hospital in Bellingham, the Whatcom County Health Department announced in a release on Tuesday.
The case investigation is ongoing, but the county health department said it appears that at least one of the men had no known contact with another person diagnosed with the illness.
Public health officials in Whatcom County said Tuesday evening that they didn’t yet have information about the sixth case reported by the state.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
COVID-19, the new coronavirus, is a disease caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2.
The disease is spread through contact between people within six feet of each other, especially through coughing and sneezing that expels respiratory droplets that land in the mouths or noses of people nearby.
Although most of the cases have been mild, the disease is especially dangerous for the elderly and others with weaker immune systems.
Click the drop-down icon in the upper right of this card for more information on symptoms and how to stop its spread.
What you can do
Here’s what you can do to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, according to the Whatcom County Health Department.
▪ Keep six feet between yourself and others when in public.
▪ Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
▪ Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth with hands that haven’t been washed.
▪ Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, throw the tissue in the trash and then wash your hands.
▪ Stay home if you feel sick. Avoid others who are sick.
▪ If your symptoms are severe and require medical care, call your doctor first.
This story was originally published March 18, 2020 at 7:54 AM.
