MASON COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH
INFORMATION UPDATES
March 30, 2020
2020_0330_Positive Case Info release COVID-19
2020_0330_Information Release regarding COVID-19 in Mason County
Also visit https://www.doh.wa.gov/emergencies/coronavirus for additional information.
March 25, 2020
2020_0325_Information Release regarding COVID-19 in Mason County
March 24, 2020
2020_0324_Information Release regarding COVID-19 in Mason County
March 23, 2020
2020_0323_2nd Positive COVID press release
March 20, 2020
2020_0320_Information Release regarding COVID-19 in Mason County
2020_0320_Deaf & Hard of Hearing Assistance
March 19, 2020
2020_0319_Information Release regarding COVID-19 in Mason County
March 18, 2020
2020_0318_Helpful Links Page (1)
2020_0318_Information Release regarding COVID-19 in Mason County (3)
March 17, 2020
2020_0317_Helpful Links Page
2020_0317_Information Release regarding COVID-19 in Mason County
March 16, 2020
2020_0316_Information Release regarding COVID-19 in Mason County
March 14, 2020
The Mason County Board of Commissioners declared a state of emergency for Mason County. Multiple agencies and jurisdictions from Mason County are working together to coordinate efforts and provide helpful and up to date information for our Mason County residents. The Mason County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is open as well as our Joint Operations Center (JIC).
Mason County does not have any confirmed cases of COVID-19. Mason County health officials are testing people and those tests are coming back with a negative result.
At this time, our priority is to provide accurate information, provide current statistics to keep our citizens informed, and make sure all citizens are being provided the care they need. While information about COVID-19 is everchanging, the basics remain the same:
- Wash your hands
- Clean surfaces
- Cover your cough
- Stay home if you are sick
- SHOW COMPASSION FOR EACH OTHER
Please remember that everyone needs supplies such as toilet paper, paper towels, hand soap, hand sanitizer, disinfectant cleaners. While the spread of COVID-19 continues, the effects vary depending on each person. Children are showing the lowest affects. Younger adults are having fairly mild symptoms or no symptoms. Those at risk are our immune compromised or older people such as our Grandparents. Please practice social distancing for a while but make sure they have the necessary household supplies. The immune compromised or older people may not feel comfortable going out to the stores right now. As much as you can, please assist them with online orders and delivery or personally shop and deliver for them.
Remember to show compassion for others. Although coughing and sneezing may be a symptom of COVID-19 or the flu, other people who have allergies or a simple cold may also cough or sneeze.
March 11, 2020
2020_0311_Information Release from Pub Health Daniel Stein, MD
March 11, 2020
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/infection-control/control-recommendations.html
March 10, 2020
https://www.doh.wa.gov/emergencies/coronavirus
March 9, 2020 at 11:30 AM
Mason County Public Health 2020_03-09-20_Information Release #1
COVID-19 known as novel coronavirus
At the time of this printing, Mason County does not have any confirmed cases of COVID-19. Any statistics about the number of suspected or confirmed cases for Washington State can be found on the Washington State Department of Health’s website or the CDC’s website.
What should I know about COVID-19?
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There have been no reported cases in Mason County.
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Mason County Public Health in partnership with other agencies have been activating response protocols to help educate, prevent and prepare for any issues concerning COVID-19.
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As of the publishing of this document, there are no COVID-19 related deaths world-wide for anyone under the age of 14.
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COVID-19 has a wide range of symptoms from mild illness (like a common cold) to severe pneumonia.
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The risk to the general public is low.
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Elderly citizens and citizens with compromised respiratory immune systems are the most at risk.
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There is no vaccination or specific medication for the coronavirus.
What should I do if I feel sick?
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Stay home from school or work.
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Drink plenty of fluids, rest, and take pain and fever medication as needed.
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If your symptoms worsen, call your primary physician on the phone first before going to the local emergency room or walk-in clinic.
You can do your part by taking these steps to help prevent the spread of the flu, the common cold and COVID-19:
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Wash hands often with soap and water. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
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Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
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Avoid contact with people who are sick.
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Stay at home while you are sick and avoid close contact with others.
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Cover your mouth/nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
For more information visit:
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WA State Department of Health’s website doh.wa.gov
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CDC’s website cdc.gov
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Mason County Public Health Information line 360-427-9670 ext. 599
This information came from https://www.doh.wa.gov/emergencies/coronavirus and was updated on their website March 8, 2020 at 4:00 pm.
New Testing Information for healthcare providers was announced by Washington State Department of Health on Friday. Mason County Public Health will be working closely with our providers to assist with the tracking of tested cases. We are also working on educating the public of the new parameters of testing.
Who Should Be Tested for COVID-19
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We know many people are wondering, if they have fever and a cough, do they need to get tested for COVID-19? Right now, our state lab still has limited capacity to run these tests and are prioritizing the tests for people with underlying health conditions or serious illness.
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If you have mild symptoms (cough, fever), you need to stay home, stay away from people.
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A test, whether it’s positive or negative, won’t change that advice or treatment plan.
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Call your Medical provider with your symptoms before you go in.
We will be focusing on the long-term health care facilities, shelters, and senior centers. Making face to face contact with these facilities and locations that house our most at risk populations is our focus this week.
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March 2, 2020
Dear Southside Families,
The health and well-being of all students and staff is important to us. We are continuing to monitor the novel coronavirus. We want to reassure you we are taking every precaution to ensure that students and staff stay healthy. I am sure you have heard that the coronavirus originated in Wuhan, China. At this time, no cases have been reported in Mason County.
What is a coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that usually cause mild respiratory illnesses such as the common cold. Some coronaviruses have caused more severe illness, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new coronavirus that was not identified in humans before December 2019.
What are common symptoms of COVID-19?
Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath. It takes 2 to 14 days after a person gets the virus in their body to become ill. COVID-19 is a new disease, and we are learning more each day about its symptoms and how it is spread.
How does the virus spread?
Most often, it spreads from person-to-person via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how flu and other respiratory pathogens spread. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
We are taking safety measures in our schools, but we also want to make sure you take safety precautions at home and in the community.
For precautionary measures, please remember to:
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Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
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Avoid touching your face
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Children who have fevers and coughs or any other flu-like symptoms should stay home until they are symptom-free for 24 hours without medication
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If you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
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If you or your child needs to cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue and throw the tissue away immediately. If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.