As of Monday, Pacific County health care providers have tested 55 individuals for COVID-19, none of which came back positive, according to Pacific County Sheriff’s Office Chief Criminal Deputy Pat Matlock.
“The Pacific County Health and Human Services Department has been working diligently to compile this information and will begin reporting total numbers of tests conducted, including positive results, on their website at least weekly at pacificcountyhealthdepartment.com and on the Health Department’s Facebook page at facebook.com/pacificcountypublichealthhumanservices/,” said Matlock.
Because of the limited number of tests available, and the personal protective gear needed to be worn by those administering the tests, testing has been prioritized by local providers to include only those with symptoms or those who meet certain other criteria, said Matlock.
Drive-through testing
Tuesday, Matlock announced drive-through testing will be available by appointment for those “meeting the criteria of a symptomatic priority group” April 2 in Long Beach and April 3 in South Bend. To qualify, you must be showing symptoms and fall into one of the following groups:
• Symptomatic healthcare workers: Includes all staff, such as kitchen staff, maintenance, etc., who work in health care facilities including long term care and assisted facilities. This also includes home health care workers.
• Symptomatic public safety workers: Includes law enforcement, corrections officers, fire fighters and EMS workers.
• Symptomatic pharmacy and grocery store workers.
Appointments for those meeting the criteria of a symptomatic priority group can be made by calling the Pacific County Emergency Operations Center at 360-875-9407 or 360-642-9407 April 1-2 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Testing location and appointment time will be given once screening is complete.
“The lack of appropriate testing and personal protective equipment continues to be a major issue felt throughout the state and our nation, but rest assured we are doing everything we can to increase COVID-19 testing capacity in Pacific County,” said Matlock.
Donations of personal protective equipment are currently being accepted at the Sheriff’s Office in Long Beach located at 7013 Sandridge road and at the Sheriff’s Office in South Bend located at 300 Memorial Drive between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, said Matlock.
For more information, contact the Pacific County Emergency Operations Center direct response line at 360-875-9407 or 360-642-9407, or email pceocOps@co.pacific.wa.us.
