To curb Whatcom COVID-19 cases after spike, officials say keep July 4 parties small
Coming off a surge in confirmed COVID-19 cases traced to large parties, public health officials are urging Whatcom County residents to keep their July 4th celebrations small this year and keep them at home.
That includes not going to Birch Bay to set off fireworks — usually a popular activity.
“We ask locals and visitors alike not to gather in Birch Bay for fireworks this year,” Erika Lautenbach, Whatcom County Health Department director, said Monday, June 29, in a release.
“We know traditions like these are fun, celebratory and very meaningful for a lot of people. But it’s simply not safe this year. It could put many others at risk, including the people who call Birch Bay home,” Lautenbach said.
An additional concern is that, on average, Birch Bay residents are older than 50, meaning that many in the community are at a higher risk of more severe complications from COVID-19, officials said.
The number of new cases in Whatcom County totaled 113 last week — the most since the pandemic began. The previous seven-day high was 106 cases from March 30 to April 5.
The recent jump has been traced back to larges parties in northern Whatcom County, where masks weren’t worn, and the people infected at those parties — who were mostly younger than 29 years old — went to their jobs and infected co-workers and customers, Lautenbach previously told The Bellingham Herald.
They don’t want a surge in Birch Bay because of people gathering there to celebrate the Fourth of July.
This year, a safe celebration is a small celebration to limit the spread of the new coronavirus, according to health officials.
“We know it may be disappointing for people to not be able to celebrate like they usually do. The fireworks shows have been canceled and large gatherings and parties aren’t allowed in Phase 2,” the Health Department said in Monday.
If you plan to gather, health officials recommend:
▪ Limit the get-together to a maximum of five friends from outside of your household.
▪ Stay outdoors.
▪ Wear a mask.
▪ Maintain physical distance of 6 feet.
▪ Avoid sharing food and drinks.
This story was originally published June 29, 2020 at 6:02 PM.
