Your Hometown News Source
Your Hometown News Source
WALLA WALLA–Walla Walla County health officials are confirming that there are no identified presumed positive cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in residents of Walla Walla County. Public Health officials continue to closely monitor the situation and communicate with local healthcare partners to ensure that effective prevention measures and response strategies are in place.
All eight tests sent off last week have come back negative. Test results data, however, can change on a daily basis.
Five tests are currently at the lab awaiting results and the patients are under observation. We currently have five people under investigation (PUIs). The lab specimens will be processed by Washington’s public health laboratory and a commercial lab. County health officials will update their case and testing reports on their COVID-19 webpage.
We continue to be working closely with health experts at Providence St. Mary Medical Center and the Washington State Department of Health to monitor PUIs.
We are still learning about this virus. Health officials consider the community at large to be at low risk of exposure. We continue to recommend all people living in the Walla Walla Valley take everyday precautions to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19 and influenza:
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces that are often touched.
• Take care of your health overall. Staying current on your vaccinations, including flu vaccine, eating well and exercising all help your body stay resilient.
• Stay Home. If you are feeling sick with mild symptoms and do not need to seek medical care, stay home while you recover.
• Stay Informed. Consult CDC’s travel website for any travel advisories and steps to protect yourself if you plan to travel outside of the US.
Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms. If you are sick and plan to seek care, please call before going in for care so arrangements can be made to prevent exposing others. For urgent medical needs, call 911.
For more information:
• Washington Department of Health: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/Coronavirus
• CDC COVID-19 page: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• CDC travel notice: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices
• WHO page: https://www.who.int/westernpacific/emergencies/novel-coronavirus
