By David Haerle and Thorin Sprandel

Grays Harbor News Group

With the coronavirus spreading worldwide and the news media running rampant with stories about a potential pandemic, public health officials at all levels are beginning to take note — even here on Grays Harbor, a place that — at least geographically — is relatively isolated from the rest of the world.

The Grays Harbor Department of Public Health distributed two news releases this month focusing on coronavirus, the most recent coming Thursday afternoon.

“COVID-19 does not currently present an immediate threat to Grays Harbor or our State, but the virus is now spreading in several countries and health officials believe it is likely that we will start to see the spread of it in Washington State as well” stated the press release. “If that happens, health officials might consider certain strategies — like closing schools or cancelling large public events — to keep people away from one another to slow the spread of the virus.”

Aberdeen Superintendent Alicia Henderson said on Friday that the school district has established a line of communication with Public Health and that they’re providing her with information as it becomes available. She said “social distancing” to prevent the spread of the virus could mean the cancellation of sporting events and other school activities up to and including closing all schools in the district.

Henderson said a letter will be sent to families that will have information and links for the CDC and Washington State Department of Health. She said the letter urges families to consider contingency planning for possible school closings.

“Childcare is always a big concern, and I think that this is the time for families to be thinking ‘If the school closes, where will my children go?’”

Henderson said she’s also been in touch with the state Office of the Superintendent for Public Instruction to discuss if missed school days in the event of a closure would have to be made up or could be waived by the state and that it’s still to be determined.

“I believe that our responsibility is to stay abreast of what’s happening nationally and locally, communicate with our local health experts and the state education department so that we follow whatever we need to do,” she said.

For confirmed coronavirus cases, reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death, according to the CDC. Symptoms can include fever, cough and shortness of breath.

Meanwhile, state public health officials made two announcements in recent days:

• Testing for the coronavirus is now available at the public health lab in Shoreline, shortening the turnaround time for results. Previously, tests had to be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention labs in Atlanta, meaning turnaround times of up to a week. Results will now be as soon as same-day.

• The state has identified the Maple Lane corrections facility property in south Thurston County as a possible isolation and quarantine site for people who have or could have the virus, the county announced Wednesday. Pods of recreational vehicles are being set up there in case the site is needed, state Department of Health spokesperson Jamie Nixon told The Olympian Thursday, but it’s possible they will never be used. Maple Lane, located in Grand Mound, was built as a youth correctional facility and has most recently been used as a treatment facility for inmates with mental health issues.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization on Friday raised its global risk assessment for coronavirus from “high” to “very high” as some nations struggle to contain the pathogen.

Announcements such as the latter are causing some anxiety among local travelers, said Jeneé Bearden, owner of Journey Travel in Aberdeen.

“Some of them are concerned,” Bearden said Thursday. “There are a lot of discussions and questions.”

She said only one client, who has a compromised immune system, has canceled a planned trip to Europe that included northern Italy, a region that has seen a recent spike in coronavirus cases.

But Bearden said most of her clients seem most concerned about traveling in the close quarter of airplanes.

“The CDC doesn’t recommend canceling or postponing travel to anywhere but China,” she said, noting that potential travelers can get specific travel advisories from the CDC’s website.

Bearden says she still plans to lead a scheduled trip that includes cruise stops in northern Italy later this year.

“I still plan on going unless they cancel our cruise or close our hotel,“ she said matter-of-factly.

Bearden said people must assess the situation where they want to go and make the decisions themselves.

“We’re not in a position to recommend yes or no whether you should travel,” she said. “It’s up to the customer, but if you have a compromised immune system, maybe this isn’t the time to travel … and we still highly recommend travel insurance” for those who do.

According to a recent story in The Spokesman-Review, when arranging travel for its customers, AAA said its travel insurance coverage for something like coronavirus would vary from plan to plan, said Lisa Anciaux, AAA’s Washington travel products director. The insurance varies based on whether the customer is buying their insurance directly from the company, through a travel vendor, such as a cruise line, or policy-to-policy variances.

“No one can answer if something like this would be covered, unless we go directly to that insurance company and policy,” Anciaux said. “Some of the vendors might say, if you purchase your policy before this date, like Jan. 22, or whatever date they pick, you’re going to be covered because of this situation that’s going on. If you purchase your plan after that date, you aren’t covered.”

University of Washington officials issued this travel advisory to students and parents of students on Friday afternoon:

“We strongly advise that anyone planning personal travel overseas during spring break or at any time consult current Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Travel Notices before departing, particularly older adults and people with chronic medical conditions. Because the situation is changing daily, it is possible that the CDC will add more countries to the list. Students currently overseas with UW Study Abroad or planning to go abroad for spring quarter and beyond should monitor the UW Study Abroad COVID-19 FAQs for updates and guidance.”

Bearden said her recommendation to travelers is to buy travel insurance and follow CDC guidelines for preventing the disease. Those guidelines have been echoed by both state and local public health officials:

• Stay home when you are sick.

• Stay away from people who are sick.

• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.

• Cover your coughs and sneezes. Throw out used tissues and wash your hands.

• Avoid touching your mouth and eyes.

• Get a flu shot.

• Make plans for what you might do if your child’s school closes.

• Find out your options for sick leave or working remotely if you need to care for someone at home.