June 9, 2020
Stay Home, Stay Healthy updates from Skagit County
Public Health reported one new laboratory confirmed case of COVID-19 today. Daily updates and total case counts are available at http://www.skagitcounty.net/coronavirus. Case counts are updated at 4:30 p.m.
Protesting and the Pandemic
First, we here at Public Health want to make one thing very clear: racism is a public health crisis. We are invested in ensuring that the people of color in our community have a high quality of life and good health outcomes. We cannot fully realize that goal until racism is eradicated from our systems.
However, as Public Health officials, we have seen firsthand just how dangerous gathering in large numbers right now can be due to COVID-19. Phase 2 allows for gathering with five people or fewer from outside your immediate household per week. If you choose to gather with others at all during this time, here are some things you can do to keep yourselves and our community safe:
- Wear a mask. Wearing a mask protects the people around you from COVID-19. As we know, COVID-19 can be transmitted asymptomatically so it’s very important that you wear a mask even when you’re feeling well.
- Maintain at least six feet of distance from others.
- Stay home if you are feeling even a little bit sick. COVID-19 has a variety of symptoms and severity across people. If you are feeling ill at all, please stay home until you are able to be tested, and that test result comes back negative.
- Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently. Whenever we’re out in public, it’s important to sanitize our hands as often as possible- preferably after anytime you touch something foreign.
- Do not share any food or beverages that aren’t individually prepackaged. No communal bowls or utensils should be used.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes.
- Avoid touching your face or mask with unclean hands.
If you are a high-risk individual, we strongly encourage you to stay home.
Be safe out there.
Additional Resources
- Confused about what is allowed during Phase 2? Thinking about restarting an activity, like a book club, but not sure if it’s safe? Call Public Health! Public Health is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and is always happy to answer your questions pertaining to Phase 2 or COVID-19. Call 360-416-1500 or email eh@co.skagit.wa.us to get our questions answered today!
- Starting June 8, Governor Inslee has required that all employees wear appropriate face coverings- as long as medically able- while at work. The Department of Labor and Industries put together this helpful guide on which masks for the task.
- Skagit County Public Health strongly encourages anyone who feels ill at all to get tested for COVID-19. If you have any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, come to the testing site at Skagit Valley College. You don't need an appointment. The site is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please note: It can take up to 72 hours to receive your results.
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