Virus Watch Podcasts

Jefferson County’s total number of COVID-19 cases has now reached 400 since the beginning of the pandemic.
Through Science to Health with KPTZ host Chris Bricker and Lynn Sorensen, RN, discuss the global, national, and local case numbers and reflect on the continued scope of the pandemic’s hold on all of us. For assistance with making an appointment for a vaccination call the Department of Emergency Management at 360-344-9791, M-F 9am-4pm.
For a better understanding of the coronavirus variants see NPR’s recent video.

Today, May 3, 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.

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 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.

Dr. Joseph Mattern, JHC Chief Medical Officer and in charge of JHC Covid-19 vaccination program, joined KPTZ’s Chris Bricker and Lynn Sorensen, RN, today for this week’s Through Science to Health.

Dr. Mattern discussed the current rise in numbers of cases and the added infectious rate of the viral variants in Washington well as other states. Jefferson County has seen more cases in April than we had in March. Lynn brought up the term ‘fully immunized’ as a misnomer because this may confuse the fully vaccinated to think they have 100% protection from the novel coronavirus.

The pandemic is not under control and has not finished with us, as much as we all want it to be.

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 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, April 12, 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.

On this week’s edition of Through Science to Health, KPTZ host Chris Bricker and his co-host Lynn Sorensen, RN discuss the need for continued masking even if you are fully vaccinated. Dr Locke’s update included the risk, while low, of the fully vaccinated possibly transmitting the virus to the unprotected. Washington state will open up vaccinations for all adults as of April 15. No more tiers or restrictions to receive the vaccine – just an appointment!

Next time on Through Science to Health, Dr. Joseph Mattern, Chief Medical Officer of Jefferson Healthcare, will be our guest and will discuss Jefferson Healthcare’s continuing drive-through vaccination program.

Today, April 5, 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.

Today, March 29, 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.