Skagit County Public Health is proposing fee changes to more accurately reflect costs. Fee increases are proposed for Environmental Health and Clinic Services. Specific program increases are proposed for food service establishment, pool and spa, solid & hazardous waste permits. Clinic increases will include office visit fees such as STD, TB and Immunization. Out-of-County resident fees are also proposed.

Some fees will actually be reduced, including camping vehicle park permit fees and subsequent clinic office visit charges. See the resolution and fee schedule for details.

A public hearing to consider these changes will be held by the Skagit County Commissioners on August 10, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. Comments for or against the proposed changes can be submitted to the Health Department at:

Skagit County Public Health
Attn: Fee Change Proposal
700 South 2nd, Room 301
Mount Vernon, WA 98274

360-336-9380

Comments may be submitted electronically to health@co.skagit.wa.us. The deadline for submitting comments is Friday, August 6, 2010.

• Resolution R20090136, Dated 3/18/2009 (Pdf)
• Proposed Fee Schedule Changes (Pdf)
  
  

• Slow down. Strenuous activities should be reduced, eliminated, or rescheduled to the coolest time of the day. Individuals at risk should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.
  
• Dress for summer. Lightweight, light-colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight, and helps your body maintain normal temperatures.
  
• Put less fuel on your inner fires. Foods (like proteins) that increase metabolic heat production also increase water loss.
  
• Drink plenty of water or other non-alcohol fluids. Your body needs water to keep cool.
  
• Drink plenty of fluids even if you don't feel thirsty. Persons who (1) have epilepsy or heart kidney, or liver disease, (2) are on fluid restrictive diets or (3) have a problem with fluid retention should consult a physician before increasing their consumption of fluids.
  
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages.
  
• Do not take salt tablets unless specified by a physician. Persons on salt restrictive diets should consult a physician before increasing their salt intake.
  
• Spend more time in air-conditioned places. Air conditioning in homes and other buildings markedly reduces danger from the heat. If you cannot afford an air conditioner, spending some time each day (during hot weather) in an air conditioned environment affords some protection.
  
• Check on the elderly, disabled and very young to see if they need assistance in getting enough fluids or cooled off.
  
• Don't get too much sun. Sunburn makes the job of heat dissipation that much more difficult.
  
• Download more information and first aid for heat conditions!

July 9th, 2010

All Of Skagit County And North Puget Sound Has Been Closed To Recreational Shellfish Harvesting

Due to a recent sample of shellfish containing elevated levels of Paralytic Shellfish Toxin (Red Tide), ALL OF SKAGIT COUNTY AND NORTH PUGET SOUND has been closed to recreational shellfish harvesting. The closure was announced on July 8, 2010 by the Washington State Department of Health. Shellfish harvest closures will remain until additional sampling indicates toxin levels have declined.

Continued sampling will determine if the closure area needs to be expanded. For complete beach closure information in other counties, call the Marine Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632.

Early symptoms of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning include numbness and tingling around the lips and some loss of motor control. If you should have any of these symptoms after eating shellfish have someone take you to the Emergency Room of your local hospital immediately or call 911 for assistance.

If you have questions please call Jeanne King at the Skagit County Health Department.

Telephone number: 360 336-9380