Six more people test positive for COVID-19 in Whatcom, state reports Monday
Six new positive tests for COVID-19 were reported in Whatcom County, according to the Washington State Department of Health on Monday, July 6. No new deaths were reported.
Whatcom County now has had 673 confirmed cases and 41 deaths during the pandemic — meaning 6.1% of people diagnosed with the new coronavirus in Whatcom have died — according to state Department of Health data as of 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 5.
The state also reported Monday that Whatcom County has had 60 hospitalizations and has conducted 20,198 tests, with 3.3% returning positive results.
The most recent data from the state’s Risk Assessment Dashboard reported on Monday, July 6, shows Whatcom County was missing four of five Phase 2 metrics goals:
▪ Whatcom is missing the target rate of fewer than 25 new cases per 100,000 residents every 14 days with a rate of 79.4.
▪ Whatcom is missing the target rate of more than 50 individuals tested for each new confirmed case the past week with a rate of 35.8.
▪ Whatcom is missing the target of 2% or less of individuals testing positive for COVID-19 during the past week with a rate of 2.8%.
▪ Whatcom is missing the target of less than 80% of all licensed hospital beds occupied by non-COVID-19 patients with 96.5% reported by the state.
▪ Whatcom is making the target of less than 10% of all licensed hospital beds being occupied by COVID-19 patients with 0.4% reported by the state.
St. Joseph hospital in Bellingham reported to The Bellingham Herald on Monday that it was treating two patients for coronavirus.
U.S. and Washington state
More than 11.5 million cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed worldwide, with more than 536,814 deaths as of Monday afternoon, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States has more than 2.9 million confirmed cases — the most reported cases of any nation — and at least 130,208 related deaths.
Overall, the Washington State Department of Health Monday afternoon reported 36,985 cases (an increase of 1,087), 1,370 deaths (11 new deaths) and 4,544 coronavirus-related hospitalizations (an increase of 62). Approximately 3.7% of all confirmed cases in the state have resulted in death, while 5.9% of the 629,256 tests administered have come back positive for COVID-19.
Ferry passenger tests positive
A passenger who boarded the Alaska Ferry in Bellingham on June 27 has tested positive for COVID-19, the Alaska Marine Highway System reported in a release Sunday, July 5.
It is not known when or where the passenger became infected or when they became contagious the release said, but the passenger had a negative test for coronavirus before boarding the MV Kennicott at the Bellingham Ferry Terminal, the release stated.
After extensive contact tracing, the release said the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services determined the passenger’s only close contact was with a traveling companion. The passenger, who is a resident of Alaska, and the traveling companion had private sleeping quarters onboard the MV Kennicott, wore face coverings whenever they were outside their cabin and kept 6 feet away from others at all times on board.
The passenger, who only reported very mild “allergy like” symptoms, and the traveling companion remained on board the MV Kennicott until their final destination in Whittier, Alaska, then reboarded on a new sailing to Cordova, Alaska, on July 3, the release stated. It was then that a subsequent test revealed the positive result.
“This is an example of everyone doing everything right,” Alaska Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink said in the release. “But this is a sneaky virus and travel is inherently risky during a global pandemic.”
The Alaska Marine Highway System requires all passengers and crew to follow protocols to reduce COVID-19 transmission, according to the release, and those protocols include testing before departure on long sailings, mandatory face coverings, social distancing, limiting the number of passengers and thorough cleaning of vessels.
“We understand the importance of following the COVID-19 mitigation protocols to protect the health and safety of all aboard our vessels,” Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities Commissioner John MacKinnon said in the release. “I commend the crew and passengers who were diligent in wearing masks and practicing social distancing -- it truly makes a difference.”
Lummi extends shelter order
The Lummi Indian Business Council announced Monday in a Facebook post that its is extending its Shelter in Place order until July 27 due to the increased cases in Whatcom County.
The order continues to urge people at risk to stay home as much as possible. In addition, the order states:
▪ Every person must social distance at least 6 feet when they are outside their home.
▪ Tribal businesses, including the Lummi Mini Mart, Fisherman’s Cove Store, Loomis Trail Golf Course and 26 Fine Spirits and Tobacco Store will remain open.
▪ Gatherings of less than 10 people from outside a household are permitted, but gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited.
▪ Canoes must be limited to six people in 11-man canoes or three people in six-man canoes with a puller at every other seat.
▪ Hiking, walking, running, biking and golfing are still permitted activities with proper social distancing.
▪ Travel within the state of Washington is permitted to areas of limited COVID-19 tranmission.
▪ Face coverings must be worn over the nose and mouth in indoor or outdoor public settings except at restaurants, when communicating with with person who is hearing impaired, by children younger than 6 or if other medical issue disability make it necessary not to wear a mask.
Skagit care center outbreak
Skagit County Public Health announced in a release Monday afternoon that Mira Vista Care Center has an ongoing coronavirus outbreak that so far has affected 21 residents.
Both residents and employees have tested positive for COVID-19, the release stated, and the center has implemented state-mandated protocols.
“Unfortunately, we’re seeing again that the most vulnerable in our community are the most impacted by COVID-19,” Skagit Public Health Communicable Disease and Environmental Health Manager Polly Dubbel said in the release. “In congregate living situations, COVID-19 can be very challenging to contain. It’s so important that the community at large works together to slow the spread of COVID-19 and help stop the virus from entering these vulnerable facilities.”
Phased reopening
Whatcom County is not meeting COVID-19 case count benchmarks and has not applied to move into Phase 3 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s reopening plan. Whatcom County moved to Phase 2 on June 5, making Friday, June 26, the earliest date the county could have applied for Phase 3.
On Thursday, July 2, Inslee announced a two-week pause on counties advancing phases under the state’s Safe Start plan, and said businesses won’t be able to serve customers at their bar tops.
Five counties are now in a modified version of Phase 1, 17 counties — including Whatcom — are in Phase 2 and 17 counties are in Phase 3
Phase 2 enables retail firms to resume in-store purchases, restaurants to reopen with 50% capacity and table sizes no larger than 5, and the re-start of new construction, real estate, hair and nail salons, barbers and gyms with some restrictions.
Phase 3 allows restaurants/taverns to reopen at 75% capacity with table sizes no larger than 10, as well as bar areas in restaurants/taverns at 25% capacity, movie theaters at 50% capacity, and libraries and museums.
This story was originally published July 6, 2020 at 10:09 AM.
