Whatcom County reports three new coronavirus cases Wednesday, but no deaths
Three more Whatcom County residents have tested positive of COVID-19, according to data released by the Whatcom County Health Department Wednesday, May 20, but no new deaths were reported.
The county now has had 364 residents test positive for COVID-19 during the pandemic, according to health department statistics, and 32 people have died. The county, which saw its first confirmed case on March 10, has reported no deaths since May 8.
The health department also reported 35 more negative test results for COVID-19, bringing the total to 4,639 — meaning 92.7% of the Whatcom’s 5,003 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 in the county, according to those numbers, which were updated through May 14.
After four straight days not treating any patients with coronavirus, St. Joseph hospital in Bellingham reported it was treating one COVID-19 patient, but no other patients were suspected of having the respiratory illness.
The Lummi Public Health Team reported to The Bellingham Herald that as of Tuesday, 42 Lummi community members have tested positive for COVID-19 — all of which have since recovered. No Lummi community members who have tested positive have died.
More than 4.9 million cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed worldwide, with more than 325,000 deaths as of Wednesday 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 92,583 deaths.
Overall, the Washington State Department of Health reported 18,811 cases and 1,031 deaths as of Tuesday evening.
Phased re-opening
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, but 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.
Rural testing
Whatcom County announced in a Facebook post Tuesday afternoon that the health department will provide COVID-19 testing for residents in eastern portions of the county the next two Thursdays, May 21 and 28, from 9 a.m. to noon at Mount Baker High School. Appointments will still be needed.
The two test dates were scheduled, according to the post, as the health department looks for ways to increase testing in Whatcom County’s rural areas.
Individuals with possible COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, diarrhea and body aches) and wish to be tested should:
▪ Call to make an appointment at 360-738-7654.
▪ Leave a message including your name, symptoms and a call-back phone number.
▪ Received a return call to set an appointment time.
Bellingham Schools meal plan
In an email sent to families and community members Wednesday, Superintendent Greg Baker said Bellingham Public Schools will continue distributing multi-meal boxes through the summer.
Baker also noted that due to Monday’s Memorial Day holiday, next week’s meals will be distributed Tuesday, May 26, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the regular distribution sites. The district will return to its usual Monday distribution the following week.
