Here’s what we know about the coronavirus outbreak in Whatcom County on Thursday
Here is a roundup of stories about the COVID-19 illness in Whatcom County from The Bellingham Herald.
Whatcom’s first coronavirus death
March 19: Man in his 60s at St. Joseph hospital is first coronavirus fatality in Whatcom County
A man in his 60s who tested positive for COVID-19, the coronavirus, has become the first person to die of the illness in Whatcom County, according to the Whatcom County Health Department.
He died Thursday, March 19, according to the Health Department.
The man was a patient at St. Joseph hospital in Bellingham.
Greg Stern, Whatcom County Health Officer, expressed sympathy for the man’s family and friends.
“It is deeply saddening to lose a member of our community in this way,” Stern said.
Homeless shelter moves to high school
March 19: Drop-In Center to move to Bellingham High School amid coronavirus outbreak
Lighthouse Mission Ministries is moving its emergency Drop-In Center for the homeless to Bellingham High School due to the COVID-19 outbreak, according to a press release from Whatcom Unified Command Joint Information Center sent Thursday night, March 19.
The move will take place Friday, March 20. The move is temporary and is a partnership between Lighthouse Mission, the Bellingham School District and Whatcom Unified Command, the release states.
Lighthouse Mission Ministries is a faith-based organization that provides overnight emergency shelter to those who are homeless at the Drop-In Center at 1013 W. Holly St. in Bellingham. The organization also provides transitional housing. In all, it serves roughly 231 men, women and children each day.
Hospital low on safety supplies
March 19: Whatcom hospital running low on crucial protective equipment needed for coronavirus
St. Joseph hospital is running low on personal protective equipment for medical workers who are treating patients under new guidelines in the wake of the new coronavirus outbreak, a PeaceHealth administrator said Thursday.
“Inside our Emergency Department we do have an adequate number of supplies,” PeaceHealth Northwest Chief Executive Charles Prosper said Thursday at a special meeting of the Whatcom County Health Board.
But it’s only a few days’ supply and officials are having trouble getting more, Prosper said.
No new confirmations in Whatcom
March 19: Whatcom County has no new confirmed cases of COVID-19 Thursday, number remains at 7
Whatcom County has no new confirmed cases of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, according to information released at noon Thursday, March 19, from the Whatcom County Health Department.
That means the number of people who have tested positive for the respiratory illness so far remains at seven in Whatcom County.
Also, on Thursday the number of negative test results in Whatcom County grew by 20 to 229.
Point Roberts cut off
March 19: Point Roberts an island after COVID-19 forces border closure to non-essential traffic
A Border Task Force developed by the Whatcom Unified Command is working to make sure Point Roberts residents’ needs are met as the county responds to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a news release.
The small Whatcom County town suddenly found itself on an island when the U.S. and Canada agreed to temporarily close the border to non-essential traffic in response to coronavirus on Wednesday, April 18.
That announcement meant Point Roberts, a town below the 49th parallel on the southernmost tip of the Tsawwassen Peninsula with a population of 1,314 people, according to the 2010 census, literally got cut off for non-essential travel with water on three sides and a closed Canadian border to the north.
Schools plan student meals
March 19: Bellingham, Ferndale schools announce meal service plans during coronavirus closures
Whatcom County’s two largest school districts released information about their meal plans on Wednesday afternoon as they continue to deal with the state-mandated school closure through April 24 to help slow the spread of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus.
“It’s hard to believe this is only day three of our closure,” Bellingham Superintendent Greg Baker wrote in a letter to students, family and the community. “It feels like we’ve already been through so much, but I know the greater context is that we have only just begun. Our task is to create a bridge from now to when we get back to normal.”
Milk delivery offered
March 19: Dairy Distributing offers Whatcom home delivery of Edaleen products during coronavirus outbreak
During these days of social distancing, a longtime local company is bringing back the traditional neighborhood milk delivery.
Dairy Distributing announced on Monday, March 16, that it offers home delivery of milk and other products including cottage cheese, sour cream, eggs, cheese, butter, yogurt and ice cream. It will also deliver alternative dairy products, such as soy milk.
The idea occurred to Tyler Bray after finishing up some regular deliveries to restaurants and other businesses on Monday. He saw the new restrictions that would be taking place and as people began staying at home, he knew they would start running out of cold dairy products. On Tuesday, March 17, he got 12 orders and more calls/online orders were coming in on Wednesday.
One more case in Whatcom
March 18: One more Whatcom resident tests positive for coronavirus, Health Department says
One more person from Whatcom County has tested positive for COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, according to information released Wednesday, March 18, from the Whatcom County Health Department.
That means a total of seven Whatcom County residents have been diagnosed with the respiratory illness.
The sixth case was reported Tuesday evening by the state Department of Health, but Whatcom County officials didn’t have information on that case on Tuesday.
Schools providing food
March 18: Most Whatcom school districts providing food service answers during COVID-19 closure
Blaine School District
▪ Food service: Blaine announced in a Facebook post Tuesday that it will begin weekday distribution of meals on Wednesday. The district set up a Nutrition page on its district website, complete with details, maps and addresses for delivery routes. Blaine said it would feed all children, regardless of their student meal status.
Ferndale School District
▪ Food service: Ferndale School District Superintendent Dr. Linda Quinn wrote in her letter that the district hopes to have grab-and-go breakfasts and lunches available for students beginning Friday, March 20. More details will come, Quinn wrote.
Lynden School District
▪ Food service: Nutrition services will begin Thursday, March 19, with pickups between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at Fisher Elementary, Isom Elementary, Bernice Vossbeck Elementary and Lynden Middle School, Frey reported.
Meridian School District
▪ Food service: Beginning Wednesday, Meridian will offer food delivery options for families with children 18 and younger, the district announced on its website. Breakfast and lunch pickups will still be available at Meridian Middle school between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Mount Baker School District
▪ Food service: Mount Baker announced in a Facebook post Tuesday that it is working to set up stations for food pickup at elementary schools for those that can’t pick up food from the bus service announced earlier in the day. The district said it hoped to have more information by Tuesday, March 24.
Lummi announce cases
March 18: Lummi Nation announces two positive cases of coronavirus in Whatcom County
The Lummi Nation confirmed two positive cases of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, in Whatcom County residents, according to a press release Tuesday evening, March 17.
It is unclear how the two cases impact Whatcom County’s number of residents diagnosed with the respiratory illness, which was reported at six by the Washington State Department of Health on Tuesday.
The Lummi Nation reported the two new cases are:
▪ A Lummi Indian Business Council non-tribal employee who resides in Whatcom County.
▪ A Lummi community member who resides on the Lummi reservation.
Neighbors helping neighbors
March 18: Whatcom group dedicated to helping neighbors amid coronavirus becomes ‘a place of hope’
As Washington residents are practically home-bound in an attempt to stop the spread of COVID-19, Whatcom County neighbors have stepped up to help one another.
Sandi Heinrich of Bellingham had been toying with the idea of creating a Facebook group for people to help others as social distancing recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and health departments ramped up. On Friday, March 13, Heinrich took her dogs for a walk and created the Bellingham Covid-19 Community Helpers public group on Facebook.
Friday afternoon, there were roughly 40 members. As of Tuesday, March 17, there were 3,880, with spin-off group pages dedicated to each city across Whatcom County. Those all had at least 100 members each as of Tuesday morning, too.
Restaurants adapting
May 17: Whatcom County restaurants adapt to restrictions, pushing to-go and delivery to survive
Closing dining rooms and transitioning to take-out and delivery operations has been a challenge, but local restaurants seem to be quickly adapting.
The new restrictions to close dining areas, which started on Tuesday have impacted hundreds of restaurants across Whatcom County. In 2018 this area had 425 restaurants and bars, employing 7,632 people, according to data from the Washington State Employment Security Department. That year those workers were paid more than $140 million in wages.
Close contact at tournament
March 17: WIAA says spectator at Yakima state basketball tournament tests positive for COVID-19
A spectator at the Class 1A and 2A State Basketball Championships in Yakima has tested positive for novel coronavirus, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association announced in a press release Tuesday, March 17.
The Yakima Health District informed the WIAA that the spectator was in attendance only Saturday, March 7, from approximately 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the release said.
Boys and girls basketball teams from Lynden High School and Lynden Christian played games on Saturday, as both girls team won their respective state titles.
WWU assumes contact
March 17: ‘It is best to consider that we have all had some contact’ with coronavirus, WWU says
It’s best to assume we’ve all had some contact with the novel coronavirus and to take measures to make sure it doesn’t spread further, Western Washington University told its campus community in a health advisory Tuesday afternoon.
In a March 17 letter from WWU Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services Melynda Huskey, she stated that the school has received new guidance from the Whatcom County Health Department in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Whatcom county is still small, even as we are able to perform more tests,” Huskey wrote. “But there is strong evidence that the virus is widespread in our area.
Three more test positive
March 17: Three more Whatcom residents test positive for coronavirus, Health Department says
Three more people from Whatcom County have tested positive for COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, according to information released Tuesday, March 17, from the county and state health departments.
That means a total of six Whatcom County residents have been diagnosed with the respiratory illness.
One of the new cases is identified as a man in his 40s and the second is a man in his 60s who is in St. Joseph hospital in Bellingham, the Whatcom County Health Department announced in a release on Tuesday.
Figures released late Tuesday by the Washington State Health Department showed a sixth confirmed case in Whatcom County.
Public health officials in Whatcom County said Tuesday evening that they didn’t yet have information about the sixth case.
Open houses stop
March 17: Washington real estate group is discouraging open houses during coronavirus outbreak
The Northwest Multiple Listing Service announced in a news release that it is disabling its public and broker open house features to curtail open house events in Washington state for the next two weeks in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
Until at least Tuesday, March 31, brokers will not be able to input, search, or view public or broker open house information in the MLS system, according to the news release. Open house information will also not be on websites of Northwest Multiple Listing Service members. The not-for-profit organization has more than 30,000 brokers in its membership across Washington state.
Hospital stops visitors
March 17: PeaceHealth sharply restricts visitors to Bellingham hospital amid COVID-19 outbreak
Visitors will no longer be allowed in St. Joseph hospital starting Tuesday, March 17, to protect patients, their families and health care workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic, PeaceHealth said in a release.
Visitors will be barred until further notification, PeaceHealth said Tuesday, March 17.
There will be exceptions, which will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Whatcom schools update
March 17: ‘Much has changed’ since schools closed — here’s how Whatcom districts are responding
Bellingham
▪ Food service: The district continued to develop plans for drive-through meals to start Monday, March 23, according to a letter from Superintendent Dr. Greg Baker, who promised details would be coming soon.
▪ Childcare: Baker’s letter provided a link on the district’s online COVID-19 page to community partners who are providing childcare in some form during the school closure. Baker invited licensed childcare facilities to email the district to have their name added to the list. Baker also added that other local partners are working directly with fire, medical and other essential employees on filling their childcare needs.
▪ Educational support: Baker said the district is working with directors, teachers on special assignment, educational technology coaches, principals and others to prepare guidance for teachers, paraeducators, students and families. “We expect to communicate more about learning in the coming days; for now, please continue to encourage kids to read, play outside and practice social distancing,” Baker wrote.
Ferndale:
▪ Food service: Superintendent Dr. Linda Quinn wrote in a letter Monday the district is still researching what other districts are doing, and the district is scheduled to meet with union leaders and district administrators to engage in making plans.
▪ Childcare: Quinn wrote that the district is expecting to receive guidance from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction on Wednesday.
▪ Educational support: Though some teachers distributed assignments on Monday, Quinn wrote that the district does not “intend them to be one more cause for stress in your family.” Quinn added that students would not be penalized for incomplete work, though more schoolwork may be coming in the future. Quinn also said that the district is working with the state to determine how seniors can finish the school year and graduate.
Meridian:
▪ Food service: Meridian offered its first day of free bagged breakfast and lunch pickup on Monday, and food service workers will be distributing meals again for children 18 and young from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at Meridian Middle School. Plans for delivering food beginning Wednesday are expected to come Tuesday afternoon, Everett said in his letter.
▪ Childcare: Everett invited healthcare workers and first responders with students enrolled at Meridian from pre-K through fifth grade and need childcare to email studentsupport@meridian.wednet.edu or call 360-318-2177. More information should come by Monday, Everett wrote.
▪ Educational support: Everett said the district is working to connect educators so they can collaborate and develop self-directed learning opportunities. Details should be coming by Monday, Everett wrote.
Casino closes
March 17: Silver Reef Casino says it will close for two weeks to prevent coronavirus exposure
The Silver Reef Casino and Resort will close for two weeks starting Tuesday night, March 17, amid the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Lummi Nation and the casino management announced the decision to temporarily close late Monday night, March 16, in order to prevent exposure to the respiratory illness.
The closure begins 11:59 p.m. Tuesday. Silver Reef is at 4876 Haxton Way near Ferndale.
Silver Reef will pay employees during the two week closure, according to the announcement. The casino hopes to re-open at 8 a.m. on April 1.
Child care questions
March 17: Whatcom schools have been closed for coronavirus. Why are child care centers open?
The Whatcom County Health Department, in a release, said to:
▪ Limit the number of families to help reduce the spread of illness among those involved.
▪ Keep the size of the group to a maximum of 10 children in one indoor setting. “The smaller the group, the lower the risk,” the department said.
▪ Ask families to take their children’s temperature before getting together.
▪ Remind adults and children to stay home if they have a fever — a temperature above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit — coughing, or shortness of breath, or are otherwise feeling sick.
▪ Clean high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, toys and keyboards often.
Businesses ponder future
March 17: As temporary business closures start Tuesday, Whatcom owners work on next steps
As the coronavirus outbreak leads Whatcom’s economy into uncharted territory, businesses owners are appreciating the support they are hearing from customers.
On Monday, March 16, the day before they were forced to close the dining area of the Birch Door Cafe, Casey and Taria Nagler said breakfast drew steady business. Not as many customers were in the waiting area of the popular eatery, but the seats were filling up.
The industries slated for temporary closures and restrictions from Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s announcement represent a significant portion of Whatcom County’s workforce. According to data from the Washington State Employment Security Department, Whatcom County had just over 10,401 people employed in restaurants, hotels, recreation and entertainment centers in 2018. At the time, it represented 11.4% of the total workforce. Wages from those jobs totaled more than $204 million for that year.
Essential services safe
March 16: Essential services will continue through outbreak, officials in Whatcom County say
Although many businesses and public facilities are closed to help slow the spread of the new coronavirus, essential city services are continuing, local officials said.
Trash will get picked up, the lights will stay on, water will still run and the toilets will still flush — even if bars, restaurants and schools are closed and supermarkets are running low on items like toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
“The sum total of the various closures is that our community is preparing to hunker down for a while,” Bellingham Mayor Seth Fleetwood said in a video message posted on the city’s Facebook page.
129 negative tests in Whatcom
March 16: Whatcom Health reports 129 negative test results for COVID-19 on Monday, March 16
The number of people in Whatcom County who tested negative for COVID-19 has grown to 129 as of Monday morning, March 16, according to the Whatcom County Health Department.
That was up from the 111 as of Sunday, March 15.
The Whatcom County numbers come through the Washington Disease Reporting System.
The Student Health Center at Western Washington University also is testing for the virus that causes the respiratory illness, reporting that 10 results had come back negative as of Friday morning, March 13.
School changes
March 16: Whatcom school districts begin answering questions after governor’s statewide closure
While the Bellingham, Blaine, Lynden, Meridian, Mount Baker and Nooksack Valley school districts decided to close to students after classes ended Friday, March 13, the Ferndale School District remained open on Monday, March 16.
“Our planned closure aligns with Governor Inslee’s Executive Order for all schools in Washington State,” Superintendent Dr. Linda Quinn wrote in a message posted on the district website Sunday, March 14. Holding school on Monday, March 16, will give students a chance to say good-bye to friends and teachers and gather belongings, medicine and other materials they may need during the closure. It will also give families one more day for making their own plans.”
The Meridian School District announced in a online post by Superintendent Dr. James Everett Saturday, March 14, that young people 18 and younger can receive a free breakfast and lunch, whether they are a student or not.
Restaurant delivery hiring
March 16: Viking Food ramps up service to help local restaurants; also hiring laid-off workers
With restaurants now limited to takeout and delivery, Viking Food is ramping up its services.
Co-owner Kyle Mattox announced on Monday, March 16, that the business is prioritizing hiring restaurant workers who have lost their jobs because of the COVID-19 outbreak.
The company, which delivers restaurant meals throughout much of Whatcom County, had 60 drivers on staff before last week. It’s added 10 more drivers and plans on hiring more, Mattox said.
Buy ‘just what you need’
March 16: ‘Stocking up’ cleans out some Whatcom shelves as shoppers told to ‘buy just what you need’
“Social distancing interventions like school and event closures do not apply to grocery stores,” according to the Washington State Health Department’s Public Health Connection blog. The Sunday, March 15, post discussed stocking up on provisions.
The post, headlined “Leave some for your neighbor. Help others by buying just what you need,” noted that the “State Emergency Operations Center is committed to keeping grocery stores stocked and open during this response to COVID-19.”
Shortages of product in stores is not because of a disruption to the supply chain, the blog stated. When people buy more than they need, shortages make it hard for others to find products when they need them.
The Bellingham Herald would like to know what you’re seeing at area stores, where you have found hard-to-find coronavirus cleaning supplies and food basics. Please email us at newsroom@bellinghamherald.com with your observations.
Third Whatcom case
March 15: Third Whatcom resident tests positive for coronavirus, Health Department says Sunday
A third person from Whatcom County has tested positive for COVID-19, the new coronavirus, according to a press release Sunday, March 15, from the Whatcom County Health Department.
The case is a woman in her 20s and the Health Department is currently working to identify and advise people who have had close contact with her.
On Friday, March 13, a woman in her 40s tested positive for COVID-19 after self-isolating after being notified that she was in close contact with a lab-confirmed positive case from another county, according to a Health Department press release.
Whatcom County’s first confirmed case of COVID-19 was announced on Tuesday afternoon, March 10, after a woman in her 60s received medical care at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center. Her condition improved and she was discharged.
Child care tips
March 14: Washington state agencies answer COVID-19 questions about crowds, childcare, job loss
The Washington State Department of Health reported 642 cases of novel coronavirus in the state, with 40 deaths, as of Saturday afternoon, March 14.
With schools closed throughout the state next week through April 24, the health department offers tips and suggestions to families dealing with child care.
▪ People 60 and older are at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and are not good candidates to provide child care at this time.
”Even if they are your parents. And even if they are begging to provide childcare. For the health and safety of the loving grandparents, consider whether it’s possible for your family to find an alternate source of backup childcare,” the health department wrote in a press release Saturday, March 14.
▪ Consider sharing the care of small groups of kids with other neighbors who must work.
▪ Take kids outside to play rather than staying in crowded indoor spaces. Parks remain open and Whatcom’s weather is supposed to return to the 50s after a cold weekend.
95 tests negative
March 14: Whatcom Health reports Saturday that 95 tests have come back negative for COVID-19
The number of people in Whatcom County who tested negative for COVID-19 has grown to 95 as of noon Saturday, March 14, according to the Whatcom County Health Department.
That was up from the 35 reported on Friday, March 13, by the county health department.
The Student Health Center at Western Washington University also is testing for the virus that causes the respiratory illness, reporting that 10 results have come back negative as of Saturday morning.
Second Whatcom case
March 13: Health department reports second Whatcom County woman tests positive for coronavirus
The Whatcom County Health Department reported the second lab-confirmed case of the novel coronavirus of a Whatcom County resident late Friday.
This case is a woman in her 40s who self-isolated after being notified that she was in close contact of a lab-confirmed positive case from another county, according to a Health Department press release.
The health department is conducting a follow-up investigation, the release stated, and is talking with the individual to find out more about where she was during the infectious period of the disease and whom she may have contacted.
Buffet close contacts
March 13: Person sickened by coronavirus was at Silver Reef Casino Buffet on Tuesday, March 10
People who were at the Silver Reef Casino Buffet on Tuesday, March 10, may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus if they were close enough to someone who has tested positive for the illness.
There was a potential exposure to the public from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on that day, according to a joint news release from the Lummi Indian Business Council and the Whatcom County Health Department.
Lummi Public Health Department and the Whatcom County Health Department are investigating the potential exposure for Lummi Nation and Whatcom County residents, both agencies said in a release on Friday, March 13.
Whatcom schools closed
March 13: Whatcom schools to close next week by governor’s executive order
A day after announcing the closing of schools in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Jay Inslee extended that mandate to all schools across the state, including all schools in Whatcom County.
Inslee said he hopes the executive order will slow the spread of COVID-19 across Washington state.
“We concluded that a county-by-county approach to this epidemic is not sufficient,” Inslee said in a press conference Friday, March 13. “We need to get ahead of this wave, and we need to do it today.”
The closure will include all public and private schools for levels K through 12 in every district across the state, Inslee said, and must begin by Tuesday, March 17, and will extend through April 24.
Positive test at WWU
March 13: WWU residence hall work on hold as construction worker tests positive for coronavirus
A construction worker helping to build Western Washington University’s new residence hall has tested positive for COVID-19, the university announced Friday afternoon, March 13.
The contract worker, who lives in Snohomish County, had been commuting to Bellingham to work at the construction site for
The worker is in self-isolation at home, as are three WWU employees who regularly interacted with workers at the site, according to a university release.
Work at the construction site is temporarily on hold.
Canadian warning
March 13: B.C. residents advised not to cross border into Whatcom due to coronavirus concerns
Provincial health officials are recommending British Columbia residents not cross the border into Whatcom County due to the coronavirus outbreak in Washington state. Residents who choose to do so should expect to be isolated when they return.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry in a press conference Thursday, March 12, in Victoria, B.C., advised all British Colombia residents against all non-essential travel outside of Canada. Included in that travel warning, she said, are trips to the United States.
Provincial Health Minister Adrian Dix went on to say at the press conference that public employees traveling outside of Canada will be required by their employers to self-isolate, according to a story by the Abbotsford (B.C.) News.
“Buy a liter of milk in White Rock instead of a quart of milk in Bellingham,” Dix said, according to the Abbotsford News.
Testing expands
March 13: Whatcom County health reports change to coronavirus test tally on Friday
The Whatcom County Health Department has changed its reporting of residents who are being tested for novel coronavirus.
Starting Friday, March 13, it will only report:
▪ The total number of confirmed cases, meaning people who tested positive for COVID-19. Whatcom County has one so far.
▪ The total number of negative results.
▪ the total number of deaths due to COVID-19. There are no known deaths in Whatcom County so far.
WWU online classes
March 13: WWU delays start of spring quarter and keeps classes online in response to COVID-19
Western Washington University announced Friday that it will delay the start of its spring quarter by nearly a week and will continue to utilize remote teaching through April 24 in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The school, which has already canceled its Winter Commencement and moved the final weeks of the winter quarter online, outlined its plans for the spring quarter in a letter from President Sabah Randhawa emailed March 13.
According to the email, that plan includes:
▪ The start of the spring quarter being delayed from Tuesday, March 31, to April 6. The quarter is still scheduled to end on June 12.
▪ Moving all spring quarter courses, labs, exams online between April 6 and April 24. On-campus classes will resume on April 27.
Jury trials halted
March 13: Jury trials suspended in Whatcom County courts due to coronavirus outbreak
Several Whatcom County courts are suspending jury trials due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Whatcom County Superior and District Courts and Bellingham Municipal Court announced they are suspending all jury trials until early April and May, respectively.
The emergency administrative orders signed Wednesday. March 11, by the courts’ presiding judges are due to concerns over the risk of bringing together jurors in small spaces and large groups of people called for jury duty, the orders state.
Bellingham proclamation
March 13: City of Bellingham issues emergency proclamation to aid in its coronarvirus response
In an effort to help prepare the city to respond more quickly to Whatcom County’s to the novel COVID-19 outbreak, Bellingham Mayor Seth Fleetwood signed a proclamation of local emergency on Thursday.
The Bellingham City Council also announced in a second release March 12 that it is taking precautionary measures and conducting only essential business at meetings.
Fleetwood announced the proclamation signing in a city of Bellingham press release Thursday evening.
“This proclamation will allow the City of Bellingham to be nimble during this rapidly changing situation so we can make sure all available resources are committed to this event,” Fleetwood said in the release. “This proclamation is being undertaken at this time to authorize City of Bellingham departments to enter into emergency contracts and avoid other lengthy processes, so as to ensure timely action to address the outbreak.”
Lummi employee
March 12: Lummi Indian Business Council employee tests positive for coronavirus
A Lummi Indian Business Council employee has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a Thursday afternoon Lummi Public Health Department press release.
The person, who resides in King County, received a positive test for the novel coronavirus, the release states. The Lummi Public Health Department learned Tuesday, March 10, that the person was in direct contact with another person that tested positive for the coronavirus, according to the release.
The Lummi public health team took steps to identify close contacts and instructed them to self-quarantine. The health department is prepared to offer testing to those that were exposed and are experiencing symptoms, the release states.
The Lummi health department is working with King and Whatcom county officials to track any individuals that may be affected, the release states.
School athletics
March 12: Bellingham schools cancel athletic events for a month in response to coronavirus
Bellingham Public Schools has canceled all middle and high school athletic events for the next month in an effort to help slow the spread of novel coronavirus.
The district updated its COVID-19 FAQ website on Thursday, March 12, to reflect the changes, stating that, “Governor Jay Inslee has asked all businesses and school districts to reconsider large gatherings and encourage social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19.”
In response, the district said it would cancel or postpone all large gatherings outside of school hours (such as concerts and guest speakers), large gatherings during school hours (such as assemblies), out-of-state travel for student groups and all middle and high school athletic events through April 13.
Practices still will be allowed to continue at this time, the website said.
Job impacts
March 12: New rules, relief will help Washington’ workers, businesses deal with coronavirus
With the coronavirus outbreak expected to have an impact on the state’s job market, Washington unveiled new rules to help businesses and workers adjust.
The Employment Security Department has listed several new steps on its website directly related to COVID-19. The new rules are meant to help people who end up in isolation or quarantine because of the virus, said ESD Commissioner Suzi LeVine in a news release. She also noted the new rules provide more leniency for workers when it comes to mandatory appointments, as well as leniency to employers who file tax reports late because of the virus.
The federal government is also expected to offer some job assistance. The Coronavirus Worker Relief Act was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday, March 12, with companion bills introduced in the U.S. Senate.
Whatcom testing 19
March 12: Whatcom County health reports Thursday that 19 residents now being tested for coronavirus
Whatcom County has 19 tests for novel coronavirus with results pending, as of noon Thursday, March 12, according to the Whatcom County Heath Department.
Eighteen earlier tests returned with negative results.
The number of people with pending results was down from the 21 people in Whatcom County who were being tested as of Wednesday, March 11.
Those being tested have symptoms and are in isolation pending their test results.
Whatcom County, cities prepared
March 12: Whatcom County and cities keeping people safe and still conducting public business
Government agencies around Whatcom County are taking extra measures to keep people safe during the coronavirus outbreak.
On a broad level, police, fire and emergency-management officials countywide have been preparing for years to meet such a public health crisis, Bellingham Fire Chief Bill Hewett said at the Monday night City Council meeting.
“During any mass-casualty event, those plans are always there,” Hewett said. “We have those (for) any time the system gets overwhelmed.”
But city officials also are taking simple steps to ensure that business can continue as usual, said Bellingham Mayor Seth Fleetwood.
“We’ve been meeting daily, department heads and the emergency management team,” Fleetwood told The Bellingham Herald.
Essential city services are continuing, he said.
Lummi recommendations
March 12: Lummi advises canceling travel outside Whatcom — even by car — to mitigate COVID-19
The Lummi Public Health Department “strongly recommends” community members cancel all travel outside of Whatcom County — even by car — and to self-isolate for up to 14 days upon return if travel is necessary to limit the spread of novel coronavirus.
“We are seeing cases with Lummi Community where people who travel outside Whatcom County and return with symptoms possibly infecting other members,” the Lummi Public Health Department said in a release Wednesday evening, March 11.
A Facebook post of the release by Lummi Communications said there are no confirmed COVID-19 cases for the Lummi Nation, and the Whatcom County Health Department has reported just one in the rest of the county.
Senior centers close
March 12: Whatcom County senior centers announce closings, cancellations due to coronavirus
Senior centers and senior programs throughout Whatcom County will be closing in response to the spread of the novel coronavirus throughout the region.
Senior centers in Bellingham, Blaine, Ferndale and Lynden are canceling programs and closing their facilities beginning Thursday, March 12, while senior programs in Sumas, Everson, Point Roberts and Welcome will cancel beginning Monday, March 16, the Whatcom Council on Aging announced in a release late Wednesday, March 11.
“While we have not been instructed to close, we feel it is our responsibility to protect our at-risk population by limiting interaction at the time,” the council said in the release.
After announcing Whatcom County’s first confirmed case of COVID-19 on Tuesday, March 10, The Whatcom County Health Department recommended that people of higher risk — such as those over 60, with underlying health conditions or with weakened immune systems — stay home and away from large groups of people.
Restaurant choices
March 12: With group settings discouraged, delivery might be a good idea for Whatcom restaurants
With the number of confirmed coronavirus cases rising in Washington state, concern about eating at restaurants continues to increase.
At this point, the Whatcom County Health Department is recommending that residents in high-risk groups avoid large groups of people, including large restaurants. Those at high risk for this virus include people over the age of 60, those with underlying health issues and women who are pregnant.
Since restaurants can have large groups in close proximity, it is something to be mindful of when making eating decisions, said Judy Ziels, spokeswoman for the Whatcom County Health Department. The key is the interaction with crowds of people, so staying more than six feet away from other groups is the recommendation.
In recent years the restaurant and bar scene has steadily grown in Whatcom County. In the third quarter of 2019, sales at restaurants and drinking places totaled $106.2 million, a 3.7 percent increase. That’s according to the Washington State Department of Revenue. According to the Revenue’s report, Whatcom County had 523 different eating and drinking establishments.
Tracking illnesses
March 12: What health department considers ‘close contact’ with Whatcom’s first COVID-19 patient
How do public health officials find the people who have crossed paths with a person known to be sick with COVID-19? And should people who may have passed the unidentified Whatcom County woman while grocery shopping, for example, worry about contracting the respiratory illness?
Judy Ziels, spokeswoman for the Whatcom County Health Department, as well as Bev Mayhew, spokeswoman for PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, answered those and other questions for The Bellingham Herald on Wednesday, March 11.
More Whatcom tests
March 11: Whatcom County health reports Wednesday that 21 residents are being tested for coronavirus
A day after Whatcom County had its first confirmed case of COVID-19, Whatcom County has 21 tests for novel coronavirus with results pending, as of noon Wednesday, March 11, according to the Whatcom County Heath Department.
Seventeen tests returned with negative results.
The number of people with pending results was up from the 14 people in Whatcom County who were being tested as of Tuesday, March 10.
Those being tested have symptoms and are in isolation pending their test results.
Tourism impacts
March 11: Whatcom’s tourism industry expected to see more impacts after first coronavirus case
Whatcom County hotels were starting to see the impact of the coronavirus before the first confirmed case, but now the industry is expecting a bigger hit in the coming weeks.
Some group cancellations at local lodging properties had already taken place before the first confirmed case on Tuesday, March 10. The first confirmed case also led Whatcom County to declare a public health emergency.
Sandy Ward, president and CEO of Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism, said they are working with the local lodging industry to make sure they are prepared.
“We also are concerned about our restaurants and retail establishments,” Ward said in an email.
WWU classes online
March 11: WWU moves all classes online after Whatcom County’s first COVID-19 diagnosis
Hours after Whatcom County declared a health emergency with its first confirmed positive case of novel coronavirus, Western Washington University announced that it was moving the rest of its classes for the winter quarter online.
Beginning Wednesday, March 11, the school will not offer any face-to-face classes through the end of the quarter on March 20, a letter from WWU President Sabah Randhawa to the campus community late Tuesday stated.
Randhawa cited the county’s first diagnosed case of COVID-19 — a woman in her 60s who received medical care at St. Joseph hospital, improved and was sent home to self-isolate — as the reason Western decided to make the decision at the time it did.
Public health emergency
March 10: Whatcom County declares public health emergency over coronavirus
A Whatcom County public health emergency has been declared to reduce the spread of novel coronavirus in the community after the county health department announced on Tuesday afternoon, March 10, that the county had its first confirmed case of COVID-19.
Declaring an emergency facilitates coordination with local and statewide partners, officials said, adding that it helps them provide a comprehensive Whatcom County response to the outbreak.
On Tuesday, the health department also issued new recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including canceling or postponing non-essential large public gatherings and encouraging businesses to allow their employees to work from home if possible.
First case confirmed
March 10: First case of novel coronavirus in Whatcom County confirmed by health department
Whatcom County has its first confirmed case of COVID-19, the Whatcom County Health Department announced on Tuesday afternoon, March 10.
The person is a woman in her 60s who received medical care at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center.
Her condition improved and she was discharged. Since that time she has been self-isolated at home. She has no known international travel history, the health department announced
The Whatcom County Health Department said it was working aggressively to identify all those who may have come in contact with the woman, officials said.
Meridian schools close
March 10: Meridian School District announces closure after staff member exposed to coronavirus
The Meridian School District announced it will close schools Tuesday and Wednesday, March 10-11, after a middle school staff member was exposed to an individual outside Whatcom County that tested positive for new coronavirus.
Superintendent Dr. James Everett announced the closure in an online statement posted Monday evening.
Everett’s statement said the exposure occurred Feb. 29 and the staff member has cold symptoms, is staying home and has connected with their primary care provider. The staff member was at school all last week and on Monday and they have been in contact with students and other staff, Everett reported.
“Our concern is that we had a staff member at school for six days that had been in contact with someone that had been confirmed to have COVID-19,” Everett told The Bellingham Herald Tuesday. “There is potential they interacted with other staff and students. Our feeling is that we wanted to act in the best interest of our staff and students, so we made the decision we did.”
WCC, BTC changes
March 10: Whatcom Community College has canceled all in-person class meetings for March 11
Whatcom Community College has canceled all in-person class meetings for Wednesday, March 11, for “faculty preparation time,” though the campus will remain open, according to a post on the school’s new coronavirus update resource page.
Bellingham Technical College, meanwhile, posted that it will end its Winter Quarter six days early on Friday, March 20, according to a post on the school’s COVID-19 information page.
All WCC classes will still be held as scheduled Tuesday, March 10, and in-person classes will resume Thursday, March 12, the post read.
Businesses continue to clean
March 10: As coronavirus continues to spread across U.S., Whatcom businesses ponder next steps
Local businesses are stepping up deep cleaning efforts, but appear to be waiting for confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Whatcom County before taking further action.
As of Monday afternoon, March 9, Whatcom County has 17 people who have been tested for the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, but zero had been confirmed.
Even with no confirmed cases, businesses are letting customers know through social media and other means about what preventative measures they are taking. In a Facebook post, the Trampoline Zone noted a variety of changes, including increasing daytime cleaning of high-frequency touchpoints. Harbor Freight, which has tool stores across the U.S. including in Bellingham, sent out an email about increased sanitation efforts at its stores.
Stepping up sanitation efforts is the most common step Guy Occhiogrosso is hearing from Whatcom County businesses. Occhiogrosso, president and CEO of the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce, said at this point he’s hearing discussions about further steps such as adjusting staff levels and store hours, but many are waiting to see if Whatcom County has confirmed cases of the coronavirus.
Special Olympics on hold
March 10: Special Olympics Washington cancels all training and events amid COVID-19 outbreak
The Special Olympics in Washington state has suspended all activities until March 31 to protect its athletes and to help slow the spread of COVID-19, the organization announced on Tuesday, March 10.
The organization has stopped all training and practices, competition, league play and district events, as well as any other events that involve its athletes.
“No one who lives in a county where there are known cases should travel to another county or hold any Special Olympics activities,” the organization stated.
This story was originally published March 10, 2020 at 4:06 PM.
