The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Wahkiakum County Health & Human Services Department has announced the discovery of a fourth covid-19 patient in Wahkiakum County. Following is the news release making the announcement:

Wahkiakum County Health and Human Services (WHHS) has received a positive test result notification for a 4th COVID-19 case in a Wahkiakum County resident. The individual is in self-quarantine and while symptomatic they do not require medical care currently. This case likely represents the first known person to person spread in the County.

We are working to identify anyone who may have an exposure risk because of contact with the person. Those people with close contact will be notified by Health and Human Services (WHHS) staff. At this point, the possibility of additional community spread from this individual seems low.

We have expected this. We have planned for this. We continue to coordinate with partner agencies to monitor for the disease in the county. WHHS works every day to identify, track, and follow up on cases of potential disease exposure to protect people’s health. The COVID-19 virus is new, but State, Federal, and WHHS public health response is not.

Am I at risk?

The current risk of COVID-19 in Washington is still high. Public health is identifying 100s more positive cases of the disease in the state every day. We know that the disease is spreading in Washington from person to person, but we have little evidence of that in Wahkiakum.

If you think you were at risk of exposure to COVID-19, call ahead before you go to your healthcare provider, urgent care, or the emergency department.

What can I do to protect myself from COVID-19?

Currently, no vaccine exists for COVID-19. You can take steps to protect yourself and people around you from this and other diseases:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

• Wear a cloth mask when going out in public.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Avoid close contact with others.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.

• Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces.

• Stay at home and away from others as much as you can.

• The Governor issued an order to stay home, follow it and follow all changes that are occurring.