Cumulative number of covid cases rises to 71 on Tuesday

Four more Wahkiakum County residents have tested positive for covid-19, according to a press release from Wahkiakum Health and Human Services on Tuesday, bringing the cumulative number of cases in the county to 71. Of those cases, 18 are considered potentially active.

The four are in self-quarantine. There is a limited connection to Wahkiakum School District and St. James Family Center. WHHS is now defining a limited connection as someone who was already in quarantine because they had close contact with another case.

Because of the protective measures in place and their close cooperation with the health department, the school district and St. James will remain open.

WHHS is working to identify people who may have an exposure risk and will be notifying anyone who is determined to have had close contact.

There is active community spread in Wahkiakum County, and the risk of contracting covid-19 in Washington is increasing dramatically. The health department is urging people to practice safety measures such as social distancing, staying at home, wearing a mask if you have to socialize, and restricting activities to household members only.