Orcas resident first person diagnosed with COVID-19 in San Juan County

March 20, 2020 1:30 am
Orcas resident first person diagnosed with COVID-19 in San Juan County

Submitted by San Juan County

An Orcas Island resident has tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus.

“The patient is in stable condition and is being treated at home,” said Dr. Frank James, San Juan County Health Officer. “The patient was seen by their physician after experiencing COVID-like symptoms. The COVID-19 test was administered at the UW Medicine Orcas Island Clinic in Eastsound, test results were received on Friday, March 20th.

Dr. James said, “The patient is isolated and being treated at home. Family members residing in the home are being quarantined. County Health staff have contacted a small number of people who have had close contact with the patient. These individuals are being guided to quarantine themselves at home and to monitor themselves for fever and respiratory symptoms for 14 days following their last exposure.”

As of March 20, this is the first San Juan County resident who has tested positive for COVID-19.

According to Dr. James, “We have expected a confirmed COVID-19 case to happen and we have planned for this occurrence. Our public health team works every day to identify, track, and follow up on cases of all potential disease exposures to protect the health and safety of everyone throughout the San Juan Islands. This will be no exception.”

San Juan County health officials remind everyone that if you feel sick and have mild symptoms, stay home. If you feel you have more serious symptoms or if you are at risk for severe illness, stay home and call your health provider. Do not report to a clinic or to the hospital. Follow your doctor or health provider’s direction. If you feel the situation is urgent and life-threatening, call 911.

Health officials also recommend that citizens limit contact with others, even if they are not feeling sick, in order to limit the community spread of COVID-19.

For more information and if you have access to the internet, please visit our informational webpage at www.sanjuanco.com and click on the “COVID-19 Information” bar at the top of the page. You can also visit the San Juan County Health and Community Services Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SJCPUBLICHEALTH. The San Juan County COVID-19 Hotline (360-370-7500) is staffed M-F 8:30am to 4:30pm, and the State of WA Hotline (800-525-0127) is staffed from 6:00am to 10:00pm, 7 days a week.