Seven new positive coronavirus tests reported Friday by Whatcom health department
Seven more Whatcom County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, the new coronavirus, according to information released Friday, April 3, by the Whatcom County Health Department.
The health department didn’t include information on the gender or age range of the new cases.
The newest numbers increase the total confirmed cases in Whatcom County to 182. Nine people who tested positive have died, but no new deaths were included in the latest report.
The number of confirmed cases in Whatcom County is up from 175 as of Thursday, April 2, when the county reported 31 new cases.
More than a million cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed worldwide, with more than 56,700 deaths as of Friday morning, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States has more than 258,000 confirmed cases — the most reported cases of any nation — with at least 6,605 deaths.
Overall, the Washington State Department of Health reported 6,966 cases and 284 deaths as of Thursday night.
BEHIND THE STORY
MORETracking Whatcom COVID-19 numbers
Confirmed cases of COVID-19 and deaths from the new coronavirus are reported by the Whatcom County Health Department and Washington state Department of Health on different schedules, which may result in differing numbers in stories by The Bellingham Herald.
Also, the health departments do not release names or other identifying information on individual patients due to federal health privacy laws.
We rely on local businesses and the public to tell us where confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths have occurred. It’s often unclear if or when those reported directly to us are included in county and state numbers.
If you know of confirmed cases or deaths, you can email us directly at newsroom@bellinghamherald.com or use the online tip form if you wish to protect your identity. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to communicate with reporters and editors as safely and securely as possible.
WCC reports third case
Whatcom Community College announced that a third employee at the Health Professions Education Center has tested positive for COVID-19.
That employee was last on campus March 25, according to a letter from WCC President Kathi Hiyane-Brown on the school’s website.
“News of additional confirmed cases will undoubtedly generate anxiety and fear,” Hiyane-Brown wrote. “I wish there were words I could share to provide more assurance and comfort at this difficult time.”
The school continues to work with the Whatcom County Health Department to notify anyone who worked closely with the three individuals who tested positive, Hiyane-Brown reported.
The school announced its first positive test on March 27 and its second four days later.
Lummi announces 18th positive
The Lummi Public Health Department late Thursday night reported that an 18th community member has tested positive for COVID-19.
No other information other than the individual was a member of the Lummi community was included in the release posted April 2 to Facebook.
The public health team is taking immediate steps to identify close contacts and instruct them to self-quarantine, according to the release, and Lummi Public Health continues to work closely with Whatcom County officials.
Previous releases have reported 10 community members who live on the Lummi Reservation have tested positive for the new coronavirus, while nine community members previously tested positive have since recovered.
Other confirmed cases in the county include:
▪ Shuksan Healthcare Center: 54 positive tests (31 residents, 23 employees) and five resident deaths, as of April 2. A sixth resident who was discharged March 10 died March 20, and a test confirmed he was positive for COVID-19 a day after his death. A COVID-19 outbreak at the Bellingham nursing home was reported by the health department March 22.
▪ Stafholt: The Good Samaritan Society confirmed that two medical professionals and 11 residents at the Blaine nursing facility have tested positive, as of April 1.
▪ Lynden Manor: The assisted living facility reported March 31 that it has had five residents test positive. Two of those residents tested positive after they were placed in hospice care.
▪ Western Washington University: According Western’s coronavirus information page, the Student Health Center has had two positive test results for COVID-19 as of March 30. The center also has had 60 negative test results.
▪ Summit Place Assisted Living: A man in his 90s who was previously a resident at the assisted living facility in Bellingham died at St. Joseph hospital after testing positive. His death was reported March 26.
▪ Spring Creek by Bonaventure: On Friday, March 27, the Bellingham senior living facility, confirmed that a resident tested positive.
▪ Intalco: The Alcoa aluminum smelter in Ferndale reported on March 25 that it had one employee test positive.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
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 April 3, 2020 at 7:29 AM.
