Virus Watch Podcasts

The following is a summary of the presentation made by Dr. Tom Locke, our local Public Health Officer and Willie Bence, Director, EOC, Jefferson County, during the Public Health briefings at this week’s Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting.
Note: Due to the legal holiday this coming Monday, the next BOCC meeting is rescheduled to Tuesday, July 6, at the same time, 9:45 am. The following week, July 12’s meeting will resume on Monday morning.

According to County Health Officer Dr.Tom Locke, in Jefferson County, 67% have had at least one COVID-19 vaccine while 64% are fully vaccinated. That’s the second highest rate for a fully vaccinated population in the state, second only to San Juan County. In the 12-and-over-eligible population, 73% have had at least one dose and 69% are fully vaccinated.

COVID-19 restrictions imposed by Governor Jay Inslee are coming to an end this Wednesday.  Retail establishments will not require a mask for entry. However, unvaccinated individuals still are required to wear masks indoors for their own protection, given the more transmissible variants that now predominate.

Vaccinated people and those under 5 years old are not required to mask, however they should still wear masks indoors in crowded settings. Anyone who is immune suppressed, taking immune-suppressing medications, who is on cancer chemotherapy, or who has had a cancer that affects their immune system should speak with there physician. Look to the Public Health Webpage for messaging around these changing guidelines.

Emergency Management Director Willie Bence said because of the decreased demand for vaccinations, COVID-19 pop-up clinics are being wrapped up for the time being. Local pharmacies and Jefferson Healthcare Express Clinic will continue to offer vaccines. The County has  a good supply of Moderna and Johnson & Johnson on hand. The community masking program will stand down, too. Community volunteers have distributed masks to community groups, grocery stores, and local businesses free of charge since the beginning of the pandemic. The Department of Emergency Management Call Center (360-344-9791) will remain open but will not be staffed completely during business hours. Questions requiring an immediate need can be fielded by the Nurse Consult Line at Jefferson Healthcare at 360-344-3094.

The following is a summary of the presentation made by Dr. Tom Locke, our local Public Health Officer and Willie Bence, Director, EOC, Jefferson County, during the Public Health briefings at this week’s Board of County Commissioners(BOCC) meeting.

County Health Officer Dr. Tom Locke told the Commissioners today that Jefferson County’s infection rate has risen, with 22 cases reported in the last two weeks. Clusters of unvaccinated, unmasked people in indoor gatherings were affected. Locke said these unmasked indoor gatherings are going to be “a pattern throughout the summer. When unvaccinated people get together, especially in indoor spaces, they should be reminded that they still are required by a secretary of health order to wear a mask in those settings. But whether they’ll actually do it or not is an open question.” Vaccination rates in Jefferson County are still among the highest in the state. Of those eligible for the vaccine 12 and older, 72.3% have had at least one dose and almost 69% are fully vaccinated. Among those 65 and older, 86% are fully vaccinated. Locke explained that the Gamma variant – the Brazilian variant – is now prevalent in the state and seems to be linked to outbreaks in British Columbia where it is active.

Director of Emergency Management Willie Bence announced three pop-up vaccination possibilities this week: 
– Wednesday: Tri-Area Food Bank – 9:30am to 2pm – Moderna and Johnson & Johnson – by appointment or walk-in. 
– Friday: Sunrise Coffee in Boat Haven – 3-7pm – Moderna and Johnson & Johnson – by appointment or walk-in.
– Saturday: Jefferson County Farmers Market – 10am-1pm – Johnson & Johnson. 

To make an appointment, call 360-344-9791 or visit the Public Health Webpage. Vaccinations also are available at local pharmacies, Jefferson Healthcare through the Express Clinic, and thorough your local physician. 

Bence said DEM has plans to continue these vaccination efforts through the end of July. He reported that the vaccination effort by DEM was buoyed by the help of hundreds of volunteers who have logged more than 250,000 hours, equating to $200,000 worth of monetary value through the end of June.

Today’s Through Science to Health edition is the final program in this iteration. Restrictions that have been in place during the pandemic will be lifted by Governor Inslee on June 30 for the state and Dr Locke’s masking mandate for Jefferson County expires that same day. While the pandemic is not ‘over’ KPTZ’s Chris Bricker and co-host Lynn Sorensen, RN decided to conclude the program within the month of June on its alternate Friday schedule. Tune in to today’s wrap up of Through Science to Health and thanks for listening!

The following is a summary of the presentation made by Dr. Tom Locke, our local Public Health Officer and Willie Bence, Director, DEM, Jefferson County, during the Public Health briefings at this week’s Board of County Commissioners meeting. The summary was provided by and used with the permission of Jefferson County Government.

County Health Officer Dr. Tom Locke said Jefferson County has 18 new COVID-19 cases this month: during the first week of June we had four cases; in the second week we had 14 cases; eight of them were over this past weekend. They are occurring in clusters of unvaccinated people. He reported that there were three hospitalizations: one was transferred out, one was discharged, and one is in the hospital as of today.

“There’s still plenty of COVID around that you can be exposed to … it’s mostly what is now known as the Alpha variant – the UK variant – which is considerably more infectious,” explained Locke. “If you’re exposed to it, you’re more likely to get it. And I think that risk is going to increase as Washington State moves away from its COVID restrictions, as there are more people in indoor spaces and not wearing masks. If you’re unvaccinated your risk will go up.” Dr. Locke reported that testing is becoming more available and home test kits are popular.

“We’re trying to change from this kind of emergency response mode that we’ve been in, into something that’s a lot more sustainable, long-term, and accessible to people,” Locke said. “The only place you can get tested is to come to Port Townsend.“ He said testing should be available everywhere around the county, through the use of the rapid testing technologies in clinics. Washington state has received hundreds of millions of dollars to support testing in schools. “That’s going to be a key way that we can bring schools back to full in person – testing and controlling transmission,” Locke said.

Another option is home testing using the BinaxNOW COVID-19 self test which is readily available, costs about $20 for two tests, and can be found online.

Director of Emergency Management WIllie Bence said on Wednesday, June 23 from 9:30am to 2pm, a pop-up clinic will be held at the Trial-Area Food Bank in Chimacum with both the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. You don’t need to be receiving Food Bank services to receive a vaccination. Call 360-344-9791 for an appointment, however walk-ins are welcome.

The following is a summary of the presentation made by Dr. Tom Locke, our local Public Health Officer and Willie Bence, Director, DEM, Jefferson County, during the Public Health briefings at this week’s Board of County Commissioners meeting. The summary was provided by and used with the permission of Jefferson County Government.

County Health Officer Dr. Tom Locke reported that Jefferson County has a 72.4% vaccination rate for those 16 and older. And Jefferson’s infection rate went up a small amount, 12.5 to 15.7 cases per 100,000 or five cases in the last two weeks. And that’s that’s among the lowest in the state.

Monetary incentives are being used to increase vaccination participation, and Washington State has instituted a campaign,“ Shot of a Lifetime.” Everyone who’s in the State Department of Health COVID vaccination registry has been entered into this lottery. The first drawing will be on Tuesday 6/8 for a $250,000 prize, and then there’ll be weekly drawings on June 15, 22, 29, and July 6. The $1 million drawing will be held on July, 13.

COVID variants are all getting new names. To help keep track: the UK variant is now considered the Alpha variant; the South African variant is now being called the Beta; the Brazilian variant is Gamma; the variant that arose in India is Delta, and the California variants are known as Epsilon. Dr. Locke said it’s mostly the Alpha variant that was first from the United Kingdom, and the Epsilon variants from California that are circulating in Washington.

Jefferson County QFC, Safeway and Tri-Area pharmacies are still offering the vaccine, as is Jefferson Healthcare Express Clinic located at the hospital. You don’t have to be a patient at the hospital to be vaccinated. You may also ask for immunization from your local healthcare provider.

Everyone still has to wear a mask indoors – regardless of vaccination status. The Jefferson County business community is experiencing an influx of visitors from out of the area who seem to be unaware of our local masking mandate. Some locals may be unaware or a bit resistant to continuing to mask locally. Jefferson County Public Health has developed signage and posters that reminds all of Dr. Locke’s masking directive. Look for them posted around the area.

Director of Emergency Management Willie Bence told the Commissioners that this week the Department of Emergency Management will partner with the state health department to provide vaccinations to homebound individuals.  The Department has also partnered with organizations that will provide a free ride to a clinic as well.  If you or someone you know needs these types of assistance, call 360-344-9791.

Submit your Public Health questions to Dr. Tom Locke by emailing [email protected]. Note: The weekly deadline for these to be submitted is on Fridays at noon, to be answered at the following Monday’s BOCC meeting.

Through Science to Health co-hosts, KPTZ’s Chris Bricker and Lynn Sorensen, RN, brought back a guest to the program today. Jesse Maupin, MD, currently a Hospitalist at the University of Wisconsin at Madison Medical Center.
Jesse is a PTHS graduate and will be returning to the Northwest for a Fellowship at the University of Washington Medical Center this summer. Jesse spoke to his experience working in the hospital this past year with the stress of caring for COVID-19 patients compounded by the uncertainty of what was coming next, and an actual fear for his personal safety.

Note: June 18 will be the last edition of Through Science to Health for Lynn and Chris. Thanks to the high vaccination rates locally and nationally, the pandemic is waning and restrictions are being lifted.

The following is a summary of the presentation made by Dr. Tom Locke, our local Public Health Officer and Willie Bence, Director, EOC, Jefferson County, during the Public Health briefings at this week’s Board of County Commissioners(BOCC) meeting.

Please note that the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) will not be in session next Monday, May 31 due to the Memorial Day holiday. They will meet the following week on June 7 to provide the public health update from Dr. Tom Locke and Willie Bence at the usual time, 9:45am here at KPTZ.

Click here to read complete notes on today’s briefings

Submit your Public Health questions to Dr. Tom Locke by emailing [email protected]. Note: The weekly deadline for these to be submitted is on Fridays at noon, to be answered at the following Monday’s BOCC meeting.

Through Science to Health was a little different today. Co-hosts KPTZ DJ Chris Bricker and Lynn Sorensen, RN were in the studio together at the KPTZ station for the first time in over one year for this broadcast. The discussion and commentary around the COVID-19 pandemic continues with some forecasted optimism regarding vaccination rates but also the ongoing risk for unmasked, unvaccinated populations. Locally, Jefferson County Health Officer Dr Tom Locke issued a directive on May 17 reiterating that some of the protective mandates, such as masking when going indoors to public businesses, are in effect. The directive can be read in full on the Jefferson County website.

The following is a summary of the presentation made by Dr. Tom Locke, our local Public Health Officer and Willie Bence, Director, EOC, Jefferson County, during the Public Health briefings at this week’s Board of County Commissioners(BOCC) meeting.

Click here to read complete notes on today’s briefings

Submit your Public Health questions to Dr. Tom Locke by emailing [email protected]. Note: The weekly deadline for these to be submitted is on Fridays at noon, to be answered at the following Monday’s BOCC meeting.

Today, May 10, Jefferson County Public Health Officer Dr. Tom Locke shared his assessment of the pandemic in Jefferson County and answered questions submitted by KPTZ listeners. Department of Emergency Management Director Willie Bence also gave an update on current Emergency Operations actions, in light of the most recent developments.

Click here to read complete notes on today’s briefings

Submit your Public Health questions to Dr. Tom Locke by emailing [email protected]. Note: The weekly deadline for these to be submitted is on Fridays at noon, to be answered at the following Monday’s BOCC meeting.