Today, Public Health Officer Dr. Tom Locke shared about the recent Jefferson County increase in COVID-19 cases. He answered questions from KPTZ listeners about:
• Numbers are worse: nationally, overall cases increased 54% in 2 weeks, and deaths are also up, with lagging count behind the increase in case count.
• Jefferson County increased by 53 cases in the last 2 weeks. Testing turnaround is slower. Clallam having a similar surge. Other areas of the state are even worse.
• The ability to do high-quality contact tracing is limited when the case levels are higher. Jefferson County has 11 trained contact tracers, and so far they have been able to keep up with the pace.
• The holidays are a big concern, and it’s highly everyone recommended stay home with one’s own household.
• He recommends that healthy people schedule needed health care appointments, rather than postponing.
• COVID-19 has a residual effect on people’s health afterwards, with lingering effects for 10% of confirmed cases.
• Mask type studies on cloth masks vs. disposable masks are not conclusive.
• There are delays in testing due to higher case loads, based on staffing issues.
• Vaccines will go to first-tier responders who have first-line contact with people who may be Covid-infected. By April, the hope is that everyone can be vaccinated. So far, side effects have been mild.
• Because of higher infection rates, to be at lower risk, you should shop at less busy store times.
• Increase air exchange with ventilation system and open windows.
• Schools have reduced classroom teaching, pending reduction of transmission rate.

And, from Department of Emergency Management Director Willie Bence:
• A field hospital is a temporary popup hospital and if it becomes needed there is potential for opening a regional field hospital. At this point, models are not showing this to be needed. Maintaining staffing is the current concern.
• An outreach campaign “COVID SMART” is embarking, featuring Sanitation, Masks, Airflow, Room Between People, Technology for Gatherings.

Submit your Public Health questions to Dr. Tom Locke by emailing [email protected].

KPTZ joins United Good Neighbors to proudly support the nonprofits, staff, and volunteers dedicated to providing basic human needs for the residents of Jefferson County. In 2020, the extraordinary impacts of COVID-19 triggered an unprecedented demand for aid, challenging local organizations to respond with critical programs and safety-net services. UGN’s annual Give Jefferson campaign ensures that food, shelter, healthcare, and education are made available to folks you interact with everyday. To all who are weathering uncertainty and recovering from crisis, Give Jefferson offers hope and the reassurance that we are not alone.

UGN supports these local organizations: 
Bayside Housing & Services
Clallam Jefferson Pro Bono Lawyers
COAST Shelter
Community Boat Project
Community Wellness Project
Connected Students Initiative
Dove House Advocacy Services
ECHHO
Food Bank Farm & Gardens of Jefferson County
Foster Supports of Jefferson County
Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County
JC MASH
Jefferson Clemente Foundation
Jefferson County Farmers Market Association
Jefferson County Association of Food Banks
JCIRA
Jefferson Interfaith Action Coalition
Jefferson Teen Center
JUMP Playground
Kaleidoscope Play & Learn
Olympic Angels
Olympic Neighbors
PHLUSH
Saint Vincent de Paul of East Jefferson County
Skillmation
The Benji Project
Weekend Nutrition Program
YMCA of Jefferson County