Whatcom health department reports 1 new coronavirus case and no deaths Tuesday
Whatcom County’s confirmed cases of COVID-19 grew by one Tuesday, May 19, according to data released by the Whatcom County Health Department, but the coronavirus-related death total remained unchanged.
The county now has had 361 residents test positive for COVID-19 during the pandemic, according to health department statistics, and 32 people have died.
The county has reported no deaths since May 8.
The health department also reported 22 more negative test results for COVID-19, bringing the total to 4,604 — meaning 92.7% of the Whatcom’s 4,965 total tests have come back negative.
Late Sunday, the county health department released a breakdown of coronavirus cases by geographic regions in the county and race and ethnicity. Bellingham had the most cases and the highest rate of cases per 100,000, according to those numbers, which were updated through May 14.
For the fourth straight day, St. Joseph hospital in Bellingham reported that it is not treating any patients for COVID-19 and had no suspected cases.
More than 4.8 million cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed worldwide, with more than 321,000 deaths as of Tuesday morning, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States has more than 1.5 million confirmed cases — the most reported cases of any nation — with at least 91,179 deaths.
Overall, the Washington State Department of Health reported 18,611 cases and 1,002 deaths as of Monday evening.
Most of Washington state, including Whatcom County, remains in Phase 1 of the state’s phased approach to re-opening businesses and modifying physical distancing measures.
Under Phase 1, high risk populations are encouraged to stay home, some outdoor recreation (hunting, fishing, golf, boating and hiking) is allowed, no public gatherings are allowed and only travel deemed essential is allowed. Businesses permitted to operate in Phase 1 include: essential businesses, existing construction projects, landscaping, automobile sales, curbside retail pickup, car washes and pet walkers.
Some Washington counties have begun to move into Phase 2, which allows more outdoor recreation, gatherings of up to five people, limited non-essential travel and more businesses to open, though restrictions still remain.
