The first COVID-19-related death of a Grays Harbor County resident was reported Wednesday by Grays Harbor County Public Health and the Grays Harbor County Emergency Operations Center.
“The individual died on July 14 from complications associated with the virus,” read the statement. “To protect the family’s privacy, no further information about the individual will be released.”
“We extend our condolences to the patient’s friends and family,” said Dr. John Bausher, Grays Harbor County Health Officer. “This is a sad reminder to us about the importance of physical distancing and cloth face coverings to protect the vulnerable members of our community.”
Grays Harbor County has experienced a significant increase in the presence of COVID-19 within the county. Since last Monday, 22 new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed within the county including six new cases identified Tuesday.
Grays Harbor County Public Health is actively monitoring 12 positive cases of COVID-19 and 64 close contacts of the 56 confirmed cases. While some of the cases can be attributed to household transmission, there have been significant increases in cases involving exposure from large gatherings inside and outside the county, according to the statement.
Grays Harbor County Public Health’s COVID-19 Task Force and Grays Harbor County Emergency Operation Center is in the process of ramping back up response capabilities to this pandemic as caseloads have increased within the county, read the statement.
Case counts
Grays Harbor County has 56 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
February 2020: 1 case
March 2020: 6 cases
April 2020: 5 cases
May 2020: 6 cases
June 2020: 22 cases
July 2020: 16 cases, 1 death
Beginning July 13, Grays Harbor County Public Health changed the way cases are reported. Starting July 13, cases are reported by date of illness onset, not by date of notification. This is consistent with Washington State Department of Health reporting practices and better shows disease activity over time. Grays Harbor County Public Health reports data as accurately and timely as possible. Data is subject to change as we receive more information.
