Two Grays Harbor County residents are under investigation for the novel coronavirus and will be tested for COVID-19, according to a statement released by Brianne Probasco, Community Health Specialist with Grays Harbor County Public Health and Social Services.

Local public health officials are working with health care providers and close contacts of the individuals to control the spread of the virus.

The COVID-19 situation in Washington State is evolving rapidly and there is now evidence that the virus is spreading in communities. There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Grays Harbor County.

According to the statement, Public Health and Social Services is “not recommending the use of face masks by people who are not sick as a means of avoiding infection from novel coronavirus. It is important to keep in mind that people wear masks for a variety of reasons, including to avoid pollen and air pollution, as a courtesy to others when they have the common cold, and for other cultural and even social reasons. Because mask use is customary in some cultures, it’s not appropriate to make assumptions about why someone is wearing a mask or to stigmatize or discriminate against people who choose to wear masks.”

If the spread of COVID-19 continues, health officials may consider other strategies – like canceling large public events – to keep people away from each other to slow the spread of the virus.

Public health officials believe that there will likely be an increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases as testing becomes more readily available. The most current information about the number of cases in Washington State is available on the Washington State Department of Health’s 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak (COVID-19) webpage, doh.wa.gov/coronavirus.