Wahkiakum Receives Variance Approval to Move to Phase 2

Wahkiakum County Health & Human Services has announced that the state Department of Health has approved the county's move to Phase 2 covid-19 re-opening. Following is the press release containing the announcement on Monday:

Wahkiakum County Health and Human Services (WHHS) has received approval from the State Department of Health to proceed to Phase 2 of Governor Inslee’s Phased Approach to Reopening Washington Plan.

None of the Phase 2 activities/businesses can begin until state officials have issued guidance for that activity/ business and that business can implement the requirements.

While the variance is effective immediately, the approval comes with significant conditions. Chief among those conditions is that businesses must not begin operations until guidance has been issued. The State webpage has the appropriate guidance documents listed as they are published.

The ability to move to future phases requires that community spread of COVID-19 be held in check.

It is important that citizens of Wahkiakum be diligent in protecting themselves and others from spread of the virus. If community spread begins to accelerate in the County, it is extremely likely that significant restrictions will return.

Citizens need to continue all voluntary measures to reduce spread of COVID-19.

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 with that order.

Diseases don’t discriminate.

The Health Department is your source for reliable local public health information, go to Wahkiakumcovid19.com for more information. Make sure you seek out and share accurate information related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Diseases don’t discriminate or stop at city, county, or international borders. COVID-19 may have originated abroad, but not everyone from parts of the world with increased risk has the disease or was potentially exposed to it. Remember to:

• Rely on and share trusted sources of information about the outbreak.

• Avoid comments that unfairly label, harass, or spread misinformation.

Find updated information about the novel coronavirus at Wahkiakumcovid19.com.