Updates for COVID-19 in Grant County, WA

This page includes daily updates including case counts and demographics. Updates for COVID-19 in Grant County will be posted as information becomes available.

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For information on the COVID-19 vaccine and other frequently asked questions, please see our COVID-19 Information Page.
For additional resources on COVID-19 including guidance for businesses and farms, community links, and educational signs, please see our Resources Page.

COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) in Grant County

Tables will be updated by 7:00pm Monday and Wednesday.

Case Count	Last Updated: 7/19/2021 – 6:00PM
Positive PCR (includes deaths)	7350
Positive Antigen (including deaths)	3528
Total Positive Cases (including deaths)	10878
Deaths	134
Currently Hospitalized	5
Pending Death Certificate Review	0
Recovered**	10655

For additional testing data including positives, negatives, and percent positive, please see the WA Dept of Health COVID-19 Dashboard.

Pending Death Certificate Review: GCHD notified of death of a person diagnosed with COVID-19, but death certificate is not yet available for review to verify cause of death.
Recovered: Counted 28 days after GCHD was notified of positive test results if patient is not hospitalized or deceased. Cases listed as recovered may still be symptomatic and may have long-term health effects from COVID-19. Numbers are updated once a week.

Sex (at birth)
Male	5418
Female	5438

Age Range in Years
0-18	1910
19-40	4605
41-60	2950
61-80	1187
81+	197

Community of Residence
Coulee City Area (Coulee City, Hartline, Almira Rural)	68
Ephrata	1030
Grand Coulee Area (Electric City, Grand Coulee, Coulee Dam)	49
Mattawa Area (Beverly, Desert Aire, Mattawa, Schwana)	1102
Moses Lake	5056
Othello Rural (Grant County)	155
Quincy Area (Crescent Bar, George, Quincy)	1910
Royal City	670
Soap Lake	290
Warden	502
Wilson Creek Area (Krupp, Marlin, Stratford, Wilson Creek)	35

(Demographic data may not add up to the number of total reported cases due to cases being under investigation.)

July 19, 2021 – 6:00pm

GCHD is reporting 30 (PCR = 24, antigen = 6) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update on July 14. Cases are from Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, Warden, and Wilson Creek.

July 14, 2021 – 6:00pm

GCHD is reporting 13 (PCR = 11, antigen = 2) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update on July 12. Cases are from Grand Coulee area, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, and Quincy area.

July 12, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting 21 (PCR = 13, antigen = 8) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update on July 7. Cases are from Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, and Wilson Creek.

July 7, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting 31 (PCR = 22, antigen = 9) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update on June 30. Cases are from Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, and Wilson Creek.

June 30, 2021 – 3:30pm

GCHD is reporting 11 (PCR = 2, antigen = 9) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update on June 28. Cases are from Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, and Warden.

June 28, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting 37 (PCR = 18, antigen = 19) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update on June 23. Cases are from Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Royal City, Soap Lake and Warden.

June 23, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting 14 (PCR = 3, antigen = 11) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update on June 21. Cases are from Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, and Soap Lake.

June 21, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting 45 (PCR = 27, antigen = 18) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update on June 16. Cases are from Coulee City area, Ephrata, Grand Coulee area, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, and Warden.

June 16, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting 16 (PCR = 13, antigen = 3) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update on June 14. We will now be reporting COVID-19 Cases on Mondays and Wednesdays.

June 14, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting 56 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 34, antigen = 22). We will now be reporting COVID-19 Cases on Mondays and Wednesdays.

June 11, 2021 – 1:30pm

GCHD is reporting 8 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 5, antigen = 3). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa, Moses Lake, and Royal City.

June 10, 2021 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting 13 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 6, antigen = 7). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake and Warden.

June 9, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting 16 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR =9, antigen = 7). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City and Soap Lake.

June 8, 2021 – 4:30pm

GCHD is reporting 19 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR =7, antigen = 12). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City and Soap Lake.

June 7, 2021 – 4:30pm

GCHD is reporting 14 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR =11, antigen = 3). Cases are residents of Coulee City, Mattawa, Moses Lake, Quincy area, and Soap Lake.

June 4, 2021 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting 14 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR =6, antigen = 8). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa, Moses Lake, Rural Othello area, and Soap Lake.

June 3, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting 17 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR =13, antigen = 4). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Grand Coulee Area, Moses Lake, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden.

June 2, 2021 – 12:00pm

GCHD is reporting 9 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR =4, antigen = 5). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, Quincy area, and Royal City.

June 1, 2021 – 6:00pm

GCHD is reporting 25 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 19, antigen = 6). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Royal City, Soap Lake, Warden and Wilson Creek area .

May 28, 2021 – 3:30pm

GCHD is reporting 13 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 4, antigen = 9). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, and Warden.

May 27, 2021 – 6:30pm

GCHD is reporting 23 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 19, antigen = 4). Cases are residents of every area except Coulee City and Wilson Creek.

May 26, 2021 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting 22 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 16, antigen = 6). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Royal City, and Warden.

May 25, 2021 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting 10 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 1, antigen = 9). Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Moses Lake, Quincy, Royal City, and Soap Lake.

May 24, 2021 – 4:30pm

GCHD is reporting 39 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 22, antigen = 17). Cases are residents of every area except Grand Coulee area and Rural Othello. 10 patients hospitalized between the ages of 33-85.

May 21, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting 11 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 7, antigen = 4). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, and Warden.

May 20, 2021 – 6:00pm

GCHD is reporting 25 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 21, antigen = 4). Cases are residents of every area except Coulee City area, Grand Coulee area and Rural Othello.

May 19, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting 18 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 6, antigen = 12). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Wilson Creek area.

May 18, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting 17 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 5, antigen = 12). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, Rural Othello, Quincy area, and Soap Lake.

May 17, 2021 – 4:00pm

GCHD is reporting 43 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 23, antigen = 20). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Grand Coulee area, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, and Soap Lake.

May 14, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting 25 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 16, antigen = 9). Cases are residents of Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, and Warden.

May 13, 2021 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting 27 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 11, antigen = 16). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, and Royal City.

May 12, 2021 – 4:00pm

GCHD is reporting 22 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 7, antigen = 15). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, Quincy, Soap Lake, and Wilson Creek area.

May 11, 2021 – 3:00pm

GCHD is reporting 19 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 1, antigen = 18). Cases are residents of Ephrata, and Moses Lake.

May 10, 2021 – 4:30pm

GCHD is reporting 56 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 42, antigen = 14). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Royal City, and Warden.

May 7, 2021 – 4:30pm

GCHD is reporting 40 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 19, antigen = 21). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake and Warden.

May 6, 2021 – 3:30pm

GCHD is reporting 18 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 9, antigen = 9). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa Moses Lake, and Quincy area.

May 5, 2021 – 4:00pm

GCHD is reporting 18 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 10, antigen = 8). Cases are residents of Coulee City, Ephrata, Moses Lake, Quincy area and Soap Lake.

May 4, 2021 – 4:00pm

GCHD is reporting 19 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 9, antigen = 10). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, and Soap Lake.

May 3, 2021 – 3:00pm

GCHD is reporting 64 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 39, antigen = 25). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake and Warden.

April 30, 2021 – 3:30pm

GCHD is reporting 26 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 12, antigen = 14). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, Quincy area, and Royal City.

April 29, 2021 – 3:00pm

GCHD is reporting 24 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 16, antigen = 8). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake and Warden.

April 28, 2021 – 3:00pm

GCHD is reporting 27 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 9, antigen = 18). Cases are residents of Coulee City Area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake and Warden.

April 27, 2021 – 4:00pm

GCHD is reporting 23 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 10, antigen = 13). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Soap Lake and Wilson Creek Area.

April 26, 2021 – 2:30pm

GCHD is reporting 51 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 40, antigen = 11). Cases are residents of Coulee City Area, Ephrata, Mattawa Area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, and Warden.

April 23, 2021 – 3:00pm

GCHD is reporting 40 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 16, antigen = 24). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake and Warden.

April 22, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting 19 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 10, antigen = 9). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa, Moses Lake, and Quincy area.

April 21, 2021 – 3:00pm

GCHD is reporting 25 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 23, antigen = 2). Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Grand Coulee, Moses Lake, Quincy area, and Soap Lake.

April 20, 2021 – 4:30pm

GCHD is reporting 22 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 3, antigen = 19). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, and Royal City.

April 19, 2021 – 3:30pm

GCHD is reporting 50 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 24, antigen = 26). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Soap Lake and Warden.

April 16, 2021 – 4:30pm

GCHD is reporting 31 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 16, antigen = 15). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, Rural Othello, Quincy area, Soap Lake and Warden.

April 15, 2021 – 4:30pm

GCHD is reporting 40 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 13, antigen = 27). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Rural Othello, Quincy area, and Warden.

April 14, 2021 – 3:30pm

GCHD is reporting 13 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 12, antigen = 1). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Grand Coulee area, and Moses Lake.

April 13, 2021 – 4:30pm

GCHD is reporting 27 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 10, antigen = 17). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, and Royal City.

April 12, 2021 – 2:30pm

GCHD is reporting 33 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 17, antigen = 16). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Grand Coulee Area, Moses Lake, Quincy Area, Royal City and Soap Lake.

April 9, 2021 – 2:00pm

GCHD is reporting 10 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 5, antigen = 5). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, and Soap Lake.

April 8, 2021 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting 18 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 14, antigen = 4). Cases are residents of Moses Lake, Soap Lake and Quincy area.

April 7, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting 15 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 3, antigen = 12). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Grand Coulee area, Moses Lake, Rural Othello and Warden.

April 6, 2021 – 3:30pm

GCHD is reporting 14 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 2, antigen = 12). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, and Royal City.

April 5, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting 24 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 12, antigen = 12). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, and Soap Lake.

April 2, 2021 – 4:30pm

GCHD is reporting 9 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 5, antigen = 4). Cases are residents of Moses Lake and Quincy area.

April 1, 2021 – 4:30pm

GCHD is reporting 14 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 10, antigen = 4). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, and Moses Lake.

March 31, 2021 – 3:30pm

GCHD is reporting 19 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 6, antigen = 13). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, and Warden.

March 30, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting 25 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 4, antigen = 21). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, and Royal City.

March 29, 2021 – 2:00pm

GCHD is reporting 35 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 15, antigen = 20). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, Mattawa area, Quincy area, and Soap Lake .

March 26, 2021 – 4:30pm

GCHD is reporting 8 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 7, antigen = 1). Cases are residents of Moses Lake and Quincy area.

March 25, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting 17 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 5, antigen = 12). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, Mattawa area, Quincy area, and Royal City.

Vaccine appointments available this week!
To sign up for an appointment in Ephrata, visit: https://prepmod.doh.wa.gov/client/registration?clinic_id=1180

We are accepting appointments for those who are in 1B Tier 3 and 1B Tier 4.

March 24, 2021 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting 22 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 11, antigen = 11). Cases are residents of Moses Lake, Mattawa area, Quincy area, Royal City and Warden.

Vaccine appointments available this week!
To sign up for an appointment in Ephrata, visit: https://prepmod.doh.wa.gov/client/registration?clinic_id=1180

We are accepting appointments for those who are in 1B Tier 3 and 1B Tier 4.

March 23, 2021 – 4:30pm

GCHD is reporting 17 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 9, antigen = 8). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake and Warden.

Vaccine appointments available this week!
To sign up for an appointment in Ephrata, visit: https://prepmod.doh.wa.gov/client/registration?clinic_id=1180

March 22, 2021 – 4:30pm

GCHD is reporting 33 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 22, antigen = 11). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa, Moses Lake, Quincy area , Royal City and Warden.

Vaccine appointments available this week!
To sign up for an appointment in Ephrata, visit: https://prepmod.doh.wa.gov/client/registration?clinic_id=1180

March 19, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting 17 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 5, antigen = 12). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, Quincy area , Royal City and Soap Lake.

Vaccine appointments available this week!
To sign up for an appointment in Quincy, visit:https://prepmod.doh.wa.gov/client/registration?clinic_id=816

March 18, 2021 – 6:00pm

GCHD is reporting 12 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 3, antigen = 9). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, and Soap Lake.

Vaccine appointments available this week!
Friday we will be in Grand Coulee.
To sign up for an appointment in Grand Coulee, visit:https://prepmod.doh.wa.gov/client/registration?clinic_id=845
Saturday we will be in Quincy.
To sign up for an appointment in Quincy, visit:https://prepmod.doh.wa.gov/client/registration?clinic_id=816

March 17, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting 30 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 19, antigen = 11). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Soap Lake and Warden.

March 16, 2021 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting 50 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 28, antigen = 22). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Grand Coulee area, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Soap Lake and Warden.

March 12, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting 20 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR = 8, antigen = 12). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Grand Coulee area, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, and Warden. Demographics are available above.

If you are eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccination, Don’t Hesitate – Vaccinate! You can register for the vaccination event at the Grant County Fairgrounds tomorrow, March 13th, online now: https://prepmod.doh.wa.gov/client/registration?clinic_id=742.

March 11, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting fifteen (15) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=10, antigen=5). Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

Today Governor Inslee announced that on March 22, the state will move to Phase 3 of the Roadmap to Recovery plan. Details about what that means for business and sports can be read in the press release.

Also announced, Phase 1B2 of COVID-19 Vaccination eligibility will open earlier than expected on March 17th. This tier will include high risk critical workers in congregate settings like ag, corrections, public transit, and grocery stores. It also includes people who are pregnant and people who have a disability that puts them at higher risk for severe outcomes for COVID-19.

March 10, 2021 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting thirteen (13) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=5, antigen=8). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, and Soap Lake.

March 9, 2021 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting seventeen (17) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=8, antigen=9). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, and Quincy area.

March 8, 2021 – 4:00pm

GCHD is reporting twenty-seven (27) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=17, antigen=13). Cases are residents of Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, and Soap Lake.

March 5, 2021 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting eleven (11) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=2, antigen=9). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, and Warden.

March 4, 2021 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting twenty-one (21) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=12, antigen=9). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake and Warden.

March 3, 2021 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting twelve (12) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=8, antigen=4). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, and Quincy area.

March 2, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting ten (10) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=5, antigen=5). Cases are residents of Moses Lake, Quincy area, and Royal City.

March 1, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting thirty-seven (37) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=21, antigen=16). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Grand Coulee area, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Soap Lake, and rural Othello area.

February 26, 2021 – 4:00pm

GCHD is reporting thirteen (13) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=5, antigen=8). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, and Quincy area.

February 25, 2021 – 4:00pm

GCHD is reporting twenty five (25) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=15, antigen=10). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, and Quincy area. Today, Governor Inslee paused all movement in the Roadmap to Recovery. All regions will remain in Phase 2 for the time being, and phase change metrics will not be updated.

February 24, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting fifteen (15) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=7, antigen=8). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Grand Coulee area, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and rural Othello area.

February 23, 2021 – 5:00pm

Below are updated daily case counts for today.

February 22, 2021 – 6:00pm

GCHD is reporting thirty-two (32) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=18, antigen=14). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Wilson Creek area. Demographics can be seen above.

Cases are trending down in Grant County (YAY!), but there is still COVID in our communities. There are new variants of COVID-19 that have been detected in WA. These new versions of the virus are are more contagious than the original so now is definitively not the time get lazy with wearing a mask and using other COVID-19 precautions. You should use the most protective mask you have access to, whether that is a multi-layer cloth mask or a KN95. Wear a Mask! Watch your Distance! Wash your Hands!

February 19, 2021 – 6:30

We are reporting thirty-two (32) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=16, antigen=16). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics are above.

Side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine can looks like some of the same symptoms as COVID-19, but there are are symptoms that are unique to both the illness and the vaccination. It can take 1-2 weeks after your second shot before you are fully protected, so you could still come down with COVID-19 if you are exposed before then. It is also important to remember that each person’s immune system works a little differently. If you have symptoms in the middle category, you might want to seek seek medical care or wait and see. If your symptoms go away in a day or two, it may have been just a vaccine reaction. Testing is the only way to know for sure. If symptoms continue seek medical advice. If there’s a possibility you have COVID-19 or were exposed.

February 18, 2021 – 5:00

GCHD is reporting thirty-three (33) additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=18, antigen=15). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Quincy area, Royal City, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

February 17, 2021 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting twenty-two (22) additional cases of COIVD-19 since our last update (PCR=13, antigen=9). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics are available above.

The incidence rate over 14 days per 100,000 residents has continued to slowly drop. Thanks to everyone who is wearing a mask, washing their hands, keeping physical distance, and staying home when they are sick or a close contact to someone with COVID-19. We appreciate everyone’s efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our communities!

February 16, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting twenty-eight (28) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=9, antigen=19). Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

Now that the North Central Region has moved into Phase 2, restaurants are able to have indoor dining, fitness organizations have a higher capacity, wedding and funeral attendance may increase, and some sports competitions are allowed. We’re excited about that, but we also know all that increased opening allows for increased risk of transmission of COVID-19. Anytime people get together, there is a chance someone brought COVID. We need to continue meeting 3 of the 4 Roadmap to Recovery metrics to stay in Phase 2. If the region doesn’t, we’ll be moved back to Phase 1. Now isn’t the time to let up on COVID precautions. Keep wearing a face covering anytime you’re with people you don’t live with, keep 6 feet of distance between yourself and people you don’t live with as much as possible, and wash your hands. Together, we can limit the spread of COVID-19!

February 15, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting fifty-five (55) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=23, antigen=22). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, and Warden. Demographics are available above.

February 12, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting forty-six (46) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=25, antigen=21). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be found above.

Today Washington reached 1 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered! Ruby, an East Wenatchee resident, received the ceremonial one millionth vaccination at the Town Toyota Center mass vaccination site today. Her advice is “Get your vaccine! Get it and let’s get rid of this thing!” We have to agree with Ruby. As soon as you are eligible, Don’t Hesitate – Vaccinate!

You can read the DOH media release by clicking here.

February 11, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting sixteen (16) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=6, antigen=10). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

Today, Governor Inslee announced the North Central Region is eligible to move to Phase 2 of the Roadmap to Recovery plan by meeting 3 of the 4 required metrics. Per the Roadmap to Recovery Plan this move will take place on Monday. The North Central Region includes Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan, and Grant Counties. Most regions in WA state will be able to move to Phase 2, with the exception of the South Central Region. In order to remain in Phase 2, the region must continue meeting at least three of these four metrics:

Decreasing or flat trend in 14-day rate of new COVID-19 cases per 100K population;
Decreasing or flat trend in 14-day rate of new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100K population;
Average 7-day percent occupancy of ICU staffed beds less than 90%; and,
7-day percent positivity of COVID-19 tests less than 10%

The metrics will be reassessed in 2 weeks. The Roadmap to Recovery Dashboard hasn’t been updated yet to reflect the new phases, but it can be seen by clicking here.

February 10, 2021 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting thirty-one (31) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=11, antigen=20). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

If you are currently eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, please consider making an appointment at the mass vaccination site in Wenatchee at the Town Toyota Center. Appointments become available every Sunday at noon for the following week and close after all spots are filled. Do not show up without an appointment. For an appointment go to https://prepmod.doh.wa.gov or call 1-800-525-0127. To see if you are eligible to be vaccinated now, please go to www.FindYourPhaseWA.org.

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February 9, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting twenty-three (23) additional COVID-19 cases since our last update (PCR=5, antigen=18). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, and Soap Lake. Demographics can be seen above.

Grant County’s incidence rate per 100,000 residents per 14 days is continuing to drop! This is very encouraging, but we are still experiencing high rates so keep wearing your masks, keep staying home when you feel sick, keep using physical distancing, and keep washing your hands!

February 8, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting eighty-four (84) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=56, antigen=28). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, and Soap Lake. Demographics can be found on our website: http://granthealth.org/updates-for-covid-19-in-grant-county/

GCHD is also reporting four (4) additional confirmed COVID-19 associated deaths of Grant County residents. These deaths bring the total Grant County confirmed COVID-19 related deaths to one hundred and nine (109).
None of the deaths were associated with a Long-Term Care Facility. All four residents had underlying conditions putting them at higher risk of severe complications due to a COVID-19 infection:

Male Coulee City resident in his 70s
Male Moses Lake resident in his 70s
Male Quincy resident in his 70s
Male Moses Lake resident in his 80s

Grant County Health District is saddened by these deaths and our hearts are with their family and friends. On behalf of our staff, Grant County Health Officer, and Board of Health, we are so sorry for your loss.

Wear a face covering anytime you are in public or around people you do not live with.
Stay home if you feel sick, are under quarantine or isolation orders, or have been told you are a close contact to a confirmed case of COVID-19.
Use physical distancing and stay 6 feet away from others as much as possible when you are in public or at work.
Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially before eating or coming home. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
If you are eligible to get vaccinated for COVID-19 – don’t hesitate, vaccinate! To find out if you are eligible go to www.FindYourPhaseWA.org.

February 5, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting twenty-five (25) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=21, antigen=4). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, and Soap Lake. Demographics can be found above.

We’ve been saying the same things for many months, but today we’d like to again remind you not to gather with people you don’t live with. Any time people get together COVID-19 can spread and it can spread from people who don’t know they are sick. Gathering virtually or only with the people you live with is the safest way to celebrate the big game this year. It’s not forever, it’s just for now.

February 4, 2021 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting forty-seven (47) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=19, antigen=28). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Grand Coulee area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, and Soap Lake. Demographics are above.

Thinking about getting together for the big game this weekend? The safest decision for you and your family and friends is not to gather with people you don’t live with. Here are some ideas to help you celebrate while staying apart:

Take the cheering online | Even though you can’t get together in person, a virtual watch party is a great way to catch the big game. Put on your team gear and yell at the screen with your friends via video chat.
Surprise delivery | Missing your game day tailgate? Order takeout and have it delivered to a friend who will also be enjoying the game from home. Perhaps this act of kindness will bring the positive vibes your team needs. I mean, it can’t hurt, right?
B-I-N-G-O | Before the game starts, create and email custom bingo boards to all your friends and family watching at home. Make each square something that could happen during the game. Think: Touchdown dance. Penalty kick. Coach yelling at a ref. Failed extra point. Etc. Bingo winner earns bragging rights until the next game or come up with a prize amongst your group. You can get a game card from DOH by clicking here.

February 3, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting twenty-five (25) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=8, antigen=17). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

February 2, 2021 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting twenty-eight (28) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=5, antigen=23). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, and Royal City. Demographics are above.

The incidence rate per 100,000 residents over the last 14 days continues to drop which is great. Keep wearing masks, washing your hands, and using physical distancing. Also, staying home when you feel sick, if you were diagnosed with COVID, or have been in contact with someone who was diagnosed with COVID stops the disease from spreading. We can all do our part to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our communities!

February 1, 2021 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting seventy-six (76) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=42, antigen=34). Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be found above.

The COVID-19 vaccine supply is still very low. This week the Washington Department of Health had requests for over 358,000 first doses from providers across the state. Unfortunately, the first-dose allocation was only 107,000 doses. That amount gets spread out across the state, including to local healthcare facilities and mass vaccination sites. Eventually there will be more vaccine, but in the meantime, everyone needs to be patient.

January 29, 2021 – 6:00pm

GCHD is reporting twenty-three (23) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=13, antigen=10). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, and Royal City. Demographics can be found above.

January 28, 2021 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting sixty-four (64) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=49, antigen=15). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

The Roadmap to Recovery metrics were updated today. Unfortunately, the North Central Region Grant County is a part of will remain in Phase 1. Governor Inslee updated the plan so regions only need to meet 3 of the 4 metrics instead of all 4. The North Central Region only met 1 metric. Starting today, the Roadmap to Recovery metrics will be assessed every 2 weeks instead of every week so the next report won’t be out until February 12th. The Roadmap to Recovery Dashboard can be seen on the WA COVID website.

January 27, 2021 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting twenty-three (23) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=5, antigen=18). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be found above.

Grant County Health District is reporting seven (7) additional confirmed COVID-19 associated deaths of Grant County residents. These deaths bring the total Grant County confirmed COVID-19 related deaths to one hundred and five (105).

One (1) death was associated with the outbreak at Columbia Crest located in Moses Lake that was reported previously in November 2020. The resident had underlying conditions putting them at higher risk for severe complications due to a COVID-19 infection. This deaths bring the total deaths at Columbia Crest as a result of the November outbreak to fourteen (14):

We are also reporting six (6) deaths not associated with an LTC. All six residents had underlying conditions putting them at higher risk of severe complications due to a COVID-19 infection:

Male Ephrata resident in his 50s
Male Moses Lake resident in his 50s
Female Mattawa resident in her 60s
Male Moses Lake resident in his 70s
Male rural Othello resident in his 70s
Male Quincy resident in his 70s

Updated statistics for the 105 deaths, as well as a COVID-19 vaccine update are available in the full media release.

January 26, 2021 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting fifty-three (53) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=17, antigen=36). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, and Soap Lake. Demographics can be seen above.

Grant County’s rate of COVID-19 over 14 days per 100,000 residents is slowly declining. To keep it moving in the right direction, everyone needs to continue doing their part to limit the spread of COVID-19 like wearing a face covering anytime you are around people you don’t live with and staying home if you feel sick or have been told to quarantine because you’ve been around someone who was diagnosed with COVID-19. You can also wash your hands, use physical distancing, and not gather with people you don’t live with. It’s not forever; it’s just for now.

January 25, 2021 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting seventy-nine (79) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=42, antigen=37). Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, Warden and Wilson Creek area. Demographics can be found above.

Two (2) deaths were associated with the outbreak at Lake Ridge Center located in Moses Lake that was reported previously in November 2020. Both residents had underlying conditions putting them at higher risk for severe complications due to a COVID-19 infection. These deaths bring the total deaths at Lake Ridge as a result of the November outbreak to twenty (20):

Female in her 70s
Male in his 80s

We are also reporting five (5) deaths not associated with an LTC. All five residents had underlying conditions putting them at higher risk of severe complications due to a COVID-19 infection:

A male Moses Lake resident in his 60s
A male Soap Lake resident in his 60s
Two (2) male Moses Lake residents in their 70s
A female Coulee City resident in her 70s

Each death is a loss to family, friends, and our communities. Grant County Health District grieves the loss and our hearts are with their family and friends. On behalf of our staff, Grant County Health Officer, and Board of Health, we are so sorry for your loss.

The Washington Department of Health announced over the weekend that the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 has been identified in Washington State. This variant is more contagious, meaning it is easier to spread from one person to others, but it does not appear to change the severity of infection. A higher rate of transmission could lead to more cases, increasing the number of people who need hospitalization and further burdening an already strained health care system. If more people get the virus, it could also mean an increase in deaths like other surges we have had.

While this is concerning, we already know what to do since the same precautions we have been using for the last 10 months will still work for this new variant. Now it is even more important than ever that we all continue to consistently take steps that prevent the spread of COVID-19:

Wear a face covering anytime you are in public or around people you do not live with.
Stay home if you feel sick, are under quarantine or isolation orders, or have been told you are a close contact to a confirmed case of COVID-19.
Use physical distancing and stay 6 feet away from others as much as possible when you are in public or at work.
Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially before eating or coming home. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
If you are eligible to get vaccinated for COVID-19 – don’t hesitate, vaccinate! To find out if you are eligible go to www.FindYourPhaseWA.org.

We need everyone to do their part to slow the spread to ensure our healthcare facilities are not overwhelmed. Each personal decision we make will impact our most vulnerable residents. Our most vulnerable community members — elderly, immunocompromised, and those with chronic conditions — are especially at risk of complications due to a COVID-19 infection and we must continue to take measures to protect them from this disease. Everyone can do their part to protect one another and limit the spread of illness in our communities!

January 22, 2021 – 6:00pm

GCHD is reporting sixty-two (62) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=40, antigen=22). Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

Today, the Washington State Department of Health announced that based on the Roadmap to Recovery phased reopening plan, all eight (8) regions in Washington will remain in Phase 1 until at least Monday, February 1, 2021. A new dashboard was launched to see details and track the different metrics. It can be seen here.

The North Central region that Grant County is a part of only met 2 of the 4 metrics required to move to Phase 2 of the plan. A region must meet all 4 metrics to move to the next phase. Phase announcements are made every Friday.

January 21, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting thirty-five (35) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=8, antigen=27). Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City and Soap Lake. Demographics can be seen above.

It’s been one year since COVID-19 was officially announced in Washington State. A year filled with challenges, grief, loss, frustration, and anger, but we also saw some smiles, laughter, and people looking out for one other along the way. It has also been a year of resilience. We still have a ways to go to get to the other side of this pandemic together and it’s ok if you’re not feeling ok. If 2021 holds anything, it’s hope. We’re still all in this together!

January 20, 2021 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting forty-six (46) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=35, antigen=11). Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

Grant County is seeing somewhat of a plateau in the incidence rate of COVID-19 for the last 14 days per 100,000 residents. To get that rate to drop, we all must continue doing our part to not only “flatten the curve” but get it moving downward. Wear a face covering anytime you are around people you don’t live with, stay home and isolate if you feel sick or have been diagnosed with COVID-19, stay home and quarantine if you have been around someone diagnosed with COVID-19, wash your hands, use physical distancing in public as much as possible, and if you are eligible to get vaccinated make an appointment or get put on a waitlist!

January 19, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting thirty-eight (38) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=10, antigen=28). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

We know many people are not only eligible to get vaccinated for COVID-19, but also eager to do so. We understand your frustration that there is not enough vaccine for everyone to get it who wants it. There are an estimated 1.7 million people in phase 1B1 that was opened yesterday, but Washington is only getting 100,000 doses per week to distribute across the state. Many counties are still trying to vaccinate their healthcare workers who are eligible under phase 1A. Vaccine shortage will continue to be an issue, both locally and around the state. Please be patient. If a provider is offering a waitlist, please sign up! Grant County providers are committed to delivering all the vaccine they get into the arms of those who want it. Right now, there are just more arms than doses available.

January 18, 2021 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting one hundred and thirty-four (134) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=62, antigen=72). Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

GREAT NEWS – Phase 1B is now eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations! The good news is it has been expanded to include anyone over the age of 65 as well as those over 50 who live in multigenerational housing.The bad news WA is only currently getting 100,000 doses per week for the whole state and millions are now eligible. Please be patient if you are eligible, but can’t get a vaccination yet. Your healthcare providers, Grant County Health District, and the state are working towards getting more vaccine into our county. Everyone who wants to get vaccinated will, eventually. Until then, we will all have to be patient.

Go to FindYourPhaseWA.org to see if you qualify, get your eligibility confirmation and find out where you can get the vaccine near you in the coming weeks.

January 15, 2021 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting fifty-seven (57) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=36, antigen=21). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Wilson Creek area. Demographics can be seen above.

The newest Roadmap to Recovery report released today shows that no regions in WA are moving to Phase 2 next week, including the North Central Region we are a part of. While the rate of PCR confirmed cases and hospitalizations over the last 14 days are down, the average percent of occupied staffed ICU beds was 90% and the PCR test positivity rate in the region is 12%. All four metrics of the Roadmap to Recovery plan must be met to move to Phase 2. The full report can be seen by clicking here.

January 14, 2021 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting eighty-four (84) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=43, antigen=46). Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Grand Coulee area, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

January 13, 2021 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting eleven (11) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=8, antigen=3). This is NOT a full count of the cases reported to GCHD today. It only reflects those we were able to enter into our internal database. There were approximately 20-25 more cases not reflected in today’s count. Cases reported today are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Quincy area, and Royal City. Demographics can be found above.

If you are eligible under Phase 1A1 or 1A2 to get a COVID vaccination and have not been vaccinated yet, but want to, a list of facilities in Grant County who are accepting appointments is available on our website, http://granthealth.org/2019-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov/. You must be eligible under Phase 1A to make an appointment at this time, which includes all healthcare workers and high risk first responders.

January 12, 2021 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting forty-three (43) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=19, antigen 24). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Grand Coulee area, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Wilson Creek area. Demographics can be found above.

Unfortunately, the trend in both daily cases and our 2-week incidence rate is going up. Please continue using all known precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including wearing a face covering anytime you are around people you don’t live with, washing your hands, and staying home if you feel sick, have been diagnosed with COVID-19, or identified as a close contact.

|We know many people are also wanting to add getting their COVID-19 vaccination to that list and we are excited about that. Unfortunately, vaccine is still in limited supply and only those in Phase 1A are currently eligible to get it. There are many people in Grant County who are eligible and have not taken advantage of getting vaccinated. If you are eligible, don’t hesitate – Vaccinate!

January 11, 2020 – 6:00pm

GCHD is reporting one hundred and eighty-three (183) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=96, antigen=87). Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

We have updated our COVID-19 FAQ website with some information on the COVID-19 vaccine, including which phase is currently eligible to get a vaccination. We will be adding a list of healthcare facility names this week that are open to anyone who is eligible to be vaccinated. Currently anyone in phase 1A is eligible for vaccination which includes anyone in a healthcare setting, high-risk first responders, and residents and staff of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other community-based, congregate living settings where most individuals over 65 years of age are receiving care, supervision, or assistance. More information on the COVID vaccine can be found on our FAQ page.

January 8, 2021 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting seventy-seven (77) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=47, antigen=30). Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Warden, and Wilson Creek area. Demographics can be seen above.

How do vaccines work?

“The COVID-19 vaccine teaches your immune system to recognize the coronavirus. When you get the vaccine, your immune system makes antibodies (“fighter cells”) that stay in your blood and protect you in case you are infected with the virus. You get protection against the disease without having to get sick.

When enough people in the community can fight off the coronavirus, it has nowhere to go. This means we can stop the spread quicker and get a little closer to ending this pandemic.”

Find more answers about the COVID-19 vaccine on the DOH website: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/COVID19/Vaccine

January 7, 2021 – 6:00pm

GCHD is reporting fifty-four (54) additional cases of COVID-19 (PCR=25, antigen=29). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Wilson Creek area. Demographics can be found above.

Grant County Health District is reporting eight (8) additional confirmed COVID-19 associated deaths of Grant County residents. These deaths bring the total Grant County confirmed COVID-19 related deaths to ninety-one (91).

Four (4) deaths were associated with the outbreak at Columbia Crest Center located in Moses Lake that was reported previously in November 2020. All four of these residents had underlying conditions putting them at higher risk for severe complications due to a COVID-19 infection.:

Two (2) females in their 60s,
A male in his 70s, and
A female in her 80s.

We are also reporting four (4) deaths not associated with an LTC. All four residents had underlying conditions putting them at higher risk of severe complications due to a COVID-19 infection:

A female in her 40s from Moses Lake,
A male in his 60s from Mattawa,
A male in his 60s from Moses Lake, and
A male in his 80s from Moses Lake

Grant County Health District is saddened by these deaths. Our hearts are with their family and friends. On behalf of our staff, Grant County Health Officer, and Board of Health, we are so sorry for your loss.

We need everyone to do their part to slow the spread and flatten the curve to ensure our healthcare facilities are not overwhelmed. Each personal decision we make will impact our most vulnerable residents. Our most vulnerable community members — elderly, immunocompromised, and those with chronic conditions — are especially at risk of complications due to a COVID-19 infection and we must continue to take measures to protect them from this disease. Everyone can do their part to protect one another and limit the spread of illness in our communities:

Wear a face covering anytime you are in public or around people you do not live with.
Stay home if you feel sick, are under quarantine or isolation orders, or have been told you are a close contact to a confirmed case of COVID-19.
Use physical distancing and stay 6 feet away from others as much as possible when you are in public or at work.
Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially before eating or coming home. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
If you do choose to get together for things like family celebrations, birthdays, and other get-togethers, have them outside and limit them to no more than 5 people outside your household.

COVID-19 Vaccine Update

A vaccine is the most effective tool available to combat the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It is our best “shot” at getting back to normal. Additional healthcare facilities in Grant County were approved this week to receive and administer COVID-19 vaccine bringing the total number of facilities that may get vaccine to 5. Three facilities have already received and began giving vaccinations over the last 3 weeks. GCHD is hopeful the additional facilities will receive allocations of COVID-19 vaccine soon so they can reach additional members of our communities eligible to get vaccinated.

COVID-19 vaccine is still very limited. Currently, only people that qualify under Phase 1A may be given a COVID-19 vaccine. The goal of Phase 1A is to protect those at highest risk of exposure who are needed to maintain a functioning healthcare system and to protect highly vulnerable populations. This phase includes:

High-risk workers in health care settings such as doctors and nurses,
High-risk first responders such as EMS, and
Residents and staff of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other community-based, congregate living settings where most residents are over the age of 65.

On January 6, 2021, the WA Department of Health announced an online tool called PhaseFinder. PhaseFinder goes through a series of brief questions to determine your eligibility. Currently, this tool will only determine eligibility for the vaccine right now as part of Phase 1A. In the coming weeks as plans for future phases are confirmed, this tool will allow people to determine into which future phase they fall under. The tool can be found at www.FindYourPhaseWA.org.

DOH also announced the tiers of the next phase of vaccination, Phase 1B. Phase 1B is not eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination yet. The announcement was made so healthcare facilities and GCHD can begin to prepare for the next phase to open. The first tier of Phase 1B will include those over the age of 70 and those over 50 living in a multi-generational household. Phase 1B may open as early as January 18th depending on vaccine availability and how many people in Phase 1A still need to receive a vaccination. Grant County Health District will announce when Phase 1B is eligible to get their vaccination. More information on Phase 1B can be found on the DOH website: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/COVID19/Vaccine.

January 6, 2021 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting an additional forty-eight (48) cases since our last update (PCR=16, antigen=32). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area Royal City, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

Our daily case count and incidence rate per 100,000 residents over the last 2 weeks is trending down! This is good news and definitely something to celebrate*. Even though our rates are coming down, they are still really high (remember when 6 cases a day seemed like a lot…). Please remember to keep using all COVID-19 precautions like wearing a mask in public, washing your hands, and staying home when you feel sick. If you are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination under Phase 1A, you can add, get vaccinated to that list! The vaccine is our best shot at getting back to normal!

*with your own household and some good, preferably healthy, snacks. Celebrations aren’t really celebrations without snacks.

January 5, 2021 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting fifty-three (53) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, and Wilson Creek area. Demographics can be seen above.

Today, Governor Inslee announced a new “Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery” plan that will go into effect on Monday, January 11th. The new plan will use a regional approach with Grant County grouped together with Okanogan, Chelan, and Douglas counties to form the North Central Region. Currently there are 2 phases outlined and all regions will start in Phase 1. Moving from Phase 1 to Phase 2 will be assessed on a weekly basis using the following metrics:

Decreasing trend in two-week rate of COVID-19 cases per 100K population (decrease >10%)
Decreasing trend in two-week rate new COVID-19 hospital admission rates per 100K population (decrease >10%)
ICU occupancy (total — COVID-19 and non-COVID-19) of less than 90%
COVID-19 test positivity rate of <10%

More information including how the regions are defined and how a county remains in Phase 2 can be found in the full media release: https://medium.com/wagovernor/inslee-announces-healthy-washington-roadmap-to-recovery-229b880a6859

January 4, 2021 – 6:00pm

GCHD is reporting one hundred and forty-eight (148) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=61, antigen=87). Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Grand Coulee area, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. There are 2 additional deaths pending death certificate review and 19 Grant County residents are currently hospitalized. Demographics can be found above.

Five healthcare facilities in Grant County have now been approved to give the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccine is still in short supply and healthcare facilities are working hard to give vaccinations to those people who qualify under Phase 1A. For more information on who qualifies at this time, please see the WA Dept of Health Phase 1A guidance document: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/VaccineAllocationPhase1A.pdf

December 31, 2020 – 6:00pm

GCHD is reporting an additional one-hundred (100) COVID-19 cases since our last update (PCR=81, antigen=19). This is not a result of a backlog in cases being added to our database. Test turnaround time ranged from 0-3 days. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

Please remember to party like it’s 2020, and not 1999! Only celebrate with those you live with and choose virtual get-togethers for friends and family. Let’s take everything we’ve learned about COVID-19 and usher in a healthier 2021 by choosing to protect ourselves, our families, our friends, and our communities on this last night of a very crazy year. Happy New Year’s Eve!

December 30, 2020 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting thirty-nine (39) additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics are can be seen above.

COVID-19 vaccination group Phase 1A was expanded to add a Phase 1A Tier 2. Phase 1A Tier 2 includes all workers in a healthcare setting. Workers in Phase 1A Tier 2 can be given vaccinations after Tier 1 vaccinations are complete. Lower phases and tiers, which may include people in education and business settings as well as high risk people, are still being finalized by the WA Dept of Health. More information can be found on the DOH COVID-19 Vaccination website: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/COVID19/Vaccine

December 29, 2020 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting an additional forty-eight (48) confirmed cases of COVID-19 since our last update. Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, and Soap Lake. Demographics can be seen above.

Grant County Health District is reporting ten (10) additional confirmed COVID-19 associated deaths of Grant County residents. These deaths bring the total Grant County confirmed COVID-19 related deaths to eighty-three (83).

Seven (7) deaths were associated with Long Term Care Facilities (LTC) outbreaks reported previously in November and all these residents had underlying conditions putting them at higher risk for severe complications due to a COVID-19 infection:
McKay Healthcare & Rehab Center, Soap Lake (16 total deaths with no additional deaths pending death certificate review)

Male in his 50s
Two females in their 80s
Two females in their 90s

Lake Ridge Center, Moses Lake (17 total deaths during this outbreak with 1 additional death pending death certificate review)

Columbia Crest Center, Moses Lake (10 total deaths with 2 additional deaths pending death certificate review)

We are also reporting three (3) deaths not associated with an LTC. All three were male Moses Lake residents in their 60s with underlying conditions putting them at higher risk of severe complications due to a COVID-19 infection.

Grant County Health District grieves the loss of these community members. Our hearts are with their family and friends. On behalf of our staff, Grant County Health Officer, and Board of Health, we are so sorry for your loss.

Your choice to gather with those outside your household could lead to additional cases of COVID-19 and even death. Please protect those you love, by staying home, especially if you feel sick or have been asked to quarantine or isolate. Everyone can do their part to protect one another and limit the spread of illness in our communities:

Wear a face covering anytime you are in public or around people you do not live with.
Stay home if you feel sick, are under quarantine or isolation orders, or have been told you are a close contact to a confirmed case of COVID-19.
Use physical distancing and stay 6 feet away from others as much as possible when you are in public or at work.
Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially before eating or coming home. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
If you do choose to get together for things like holiday parties, birthdays, and other get-togethers, have them outside and limit them to no more than 5 people outside your household.

COVID-19 Vaccine Update
A vaccine is the most effective tool available to combat the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Four healthcare facilities in Grant County have been approved to administer COVID-19 vaccine with one facility receiving Pfizer vaccine, which requires ultra-cold holding storage ( 112ºF to 76ºF), and the other three facilities receiving the Moderna vaccine which does not require ultra-cold holding storage.

COVID-19 vaccinations in Grant County began on Thursday, December 17th with nearly 200 healthcare workers and first responders receiving vaccinations in the first 2 days of offering the vaccine. There have been approximately 470 vaccines given since it first arrived in Grant County.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 vaccine supply is limited. The Washington State Department of Health sets the prioritization and rollout of COVID-19 vaccine for Washington State. Currently, only people that qualify under Phase 1A may be given a COVID-19 vaccine. The goal of Phase 1A is to protect those at highest risk of exposure who are needed to maintain a functioning healthcare system and to protect highly vulnerable populations. This phase includes:

High-risk workers in health care settings such as doctors and nurses,
High-risk first responders such as EMS, and
Residents and staff of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other community-based, congregate living settings where most residents are over the age of 65.

The “Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care program”, a partnership with CVS and Walgreens, was created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to offer on-site COVID-19 vaccinations to residents and staff of long-term care facilities. Most nursing homes, assisted living, and other community-based, congregate living facilities in Grant County will be receiving vaccinations through this federal program. Vaccinations under the program started being administered in Washington state this week.

“We are hopeful the next tier of vaccination priority will be finalized and released soon so more Grant County residents will be able to get vaccinated,” says Theresa Adkinson, District Administrator.

The release can also be seen on our Media Release page: http://granthealth.org/2020-media-releases/

December 28, 2020 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting an additional one hundred and fifteen (115) cases of COVID-19 since our last update. Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

December 26, 2020 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting eighty-nine (89) cases of COVID-19 since our last update. All tests are results of PCR testing. Additional tests were reported to GCHD, but were not uploaded into our internal database so are not reflected in today’s count. Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

While we recommend everyone celebrate with only the people they live with, we know some people have and will gather with other family and friends. Due to the amount of cases Grant County is seeing right now, GCHD cannot notify close contacts of confirmed cases. If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, please stay home and notify anyone you were around 2 days before your symptoms started. If you are told you are a close contact, please stay home for 14 days after your last contact with the person diagnosed with COVID-19. Staying home breaks the transmission of the virus and helps to slow the spread of COVID-19.

December 23, 2020 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting an additional sixty-seven (67) cases of COVID-19 today. Cases are residents of the Grand Coulee area, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, and Warden. Demographics can be found above.

We will have staff working on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but will not be providing daily updates those days. We will have an update on Saturday.

Please celebrate safely over the holidays by:

Only gathering with those you live with;
Wearing a face covering anytime you are around people you don’t live with;
Washing your hands with soap and water or using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol; and
Staying home if you feel sick.

December 22, 2020 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting 38 COVID-19 cases today. Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

Our incidence rate per 100,000 residents per 14 days is still very, very high. While we have seen lower daily case counts the last 2-3 days which is encouraging, it is too early to tell if this is because there are actually less infections in Grant County.

December 21, 2020 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting one hundred and thirty-eight (138) cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=94, antigen=44). Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, and Warden. There are 21 Grant County residents currently hospitalized, which is an increase of 5 since our update on Friday. Demographics can be seen above.

The holidays are usually a time to get together with friends and family, but this year, like so many things in 2020, needs to be different. We see rises in cases after each major holiday because of gatherings. Two to 3 weeks after those rises, we see a rise in hospitalizations, and then we see rises in deaths. Please stay home and celebrate with those you live with. We know it’s hard. It’s not forever, it’s just for now.

December 16, 2020 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting fifty-one (51) cases of COVID-19 today. Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

Grant County Health District is reporting eight (8) additional confirmed COVID-19 associated deaths of Grant County residents.

Five (5) deaths were associated with Long Term Care Facilities (LTC) outbreaks reported previously in November and all these residents had underlying conditions putting them at higher risk for severe complications due to a COVID-19 infection.

McKay Healthcare & Rehab Center, Soap Lake (11 total deaths with 1 additional death pending death certificate review)
• Female in her 80s
• Male in his 80s
• Female in her 90s

Lake Ridge Center, Moses Lake (16 total deaths during this outbreak with 2 additional deaths pending death certificate review)
• Female in her 90sColumbia Crest Center, Moses Lake (9 total deaths with 3 additional deaths pending death certificate review)
• Female in her 80s

We are also reporting three (3) deaths not associated with an LTC:
• A female Moses Lake resident in her 50s with no known underlying conditions,
• A male Moses Lake resident in his 70s who had underlying conditions putting him at higher risk for severe complications due to a COVID-19 infection, and
• A male Beverly resident in his 60s who had underlying conditions putting him at higher risk for severe complications due to a COVID-19 infection.

These deaths bring the total Grant County confirmed COVID-19 related deaths to seventy-three (73).

Our hearts are with the families and friends of these residents. On behalf of our staff, Grant County Health Officer, and Board of Health, we are so sorry for your loss.

December 15, 2020 – 5:30

GCHD is reporting one-hundred and three (103) cases of COVID-19 today (PCR=19, antigen=84). Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics are above.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) announced yesterday that COVID-19 vaccines are on the ground in Washington state, and this week, the first doses will be administered, including right here in Grant County. The first doses of vaccine will go to people in Phase 1a. This phase includes high-risk workers in health care settings, high-risk first responders, and patients and staff of long-term care facilities. WA DOH estimates around 500,000 people in Washington will be eligible for the vaccine in phase 1a. More information on the first shipments of COVID-19 vaccine can be found on the DOH website: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Newsroom/Articles/ID/2513/Vaccines-arrive-in-Washington-State-people-in-Phase-1a-will-begin-to-receive-vaccinations-this-week

December 14, 2020 – 5:00

GCHD is reporting one-hundred and sixty-one (161) cases of COVID-19 since our last update. Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Our current incidence rate is 915 cases/100,000 residents/14 days (Nov 30 – Dec 13). Demographics can be seen above.

December 11, 2020 – 5:30

GCHD is reporting an additional 59 cases of COVID-19 today (PCR=33, antigen=26). This is an undercount of cases reported to us today. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Warden, and Wilson Creek area. Demographics can be seen above.

Please make choices this weekend that use all COVID-19 precautions. You may not ever know the full consequences of your choices, but choose to protect those around you anyway. Doing so helps keep you, your family, your friends, and your community healthier. If you don’t have to go out, stay home. If you do go out in public, wear a face covering and stay 6 feet away from others as much as possible. Don’t gather with people you don’t live with, and if you do, do so outside and keep your group very, very small.

December 10, 2020 – 6:30pm

GCHD is reporting an additional ninety-three (93) cases of COVID-19. Approximately 30 of these cases were received yesterday. Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be found above.

Grant County Health District is reporting eleven (11) additional confirmed COVID-19 associated deaths of Grant County residents.

Ten (10) deaths were associated with Long Term Care Facilities (LTC) outbreaks first reported on November 20th and all these residents had underlying conditions putting them at higher risk for severe complications due to a COVID-19 infection.

Lake Ridge Center in Moses Lake has had a total of 15 confirmed COVID-19 associated deaths during the recent outbreak. There are 3 known additional deaths pending death certificate review. These most recent eight confirmed deaths are included in the total count for the facility:

A female in her 60s
A female in her 70s
A male in his 70s
Two (2) males in their 80s
A male in his 90s
Two (2) females in their 90s

Columbia Crest Center in Moses Lake has had a total of 8 confirmed COVID-19 associated deaths during the recent outbreak. There are 3 known additional deaths pending death certificate review. These most recent two confirmed deaths are included in the total count for the facility:

A male in his 60s
A female in her 90s

There was one (1) additional death not associated with an LTC, a female Electric City resident in her 70s.

Our most vulnerable community members — elderly, immunocompromised, and those with chronic conditions — are especially at risk of complications due to a COVID-19 infection and we must continue to take measures to protect them from this disease. The best way to do that is by staying home as much as possible. Your choice to gather with those outside your household could lead to additional cases of COVID-19 and even death. Please protect those you love, by staying home.

These deaths bring the total Grant County confirmed COVID-19 related deaths to sixty-five (65).

“GCHD staff and I wish to extend our most sincere condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones and to our communities affected by these tragic deaths of our most vulnerable community members. We also extend our encouragement and sympathies to the many dedicated healthcare staff and community members who have joined us on this fight against our common enemy,” says Dr. Alexander Brzezny, Grant County Health Officer.

To all Grant County residents: now is the time to assume anyone we encounter could have COVID-19. It can spread through aerosols and droplets and it is very contagious. Because it can become aerosolized, COVID-19 spread is not only limited to people closer than 6 feet with 15 minutes of exposure. We all know what precautions we should be using. Please choose to behave accordingly.

We need everyone to do their part to slow the spread and flatten the curve to ensure our healthcare facilities are not overwhelmed. Each personal decision we make will impact our most vulnerable residents. For the health of your family, neighbors, and friends it is critical to wear a face covering in public and stay home if you feel sick or have been asked to quarantine or isolate. Everyone can do their part to protect one another and limit the spread of illness in our communities:

Wear a face covering anytime you are in public or around people you do not live with.
Stay home if you feel sick, are under quarantine or isolation orders, or have been told you are close contact to a confirmed case of COVID-19.
Use physical distancing and stay 6 feet away from others as much as possible when you are around people you do not live.
Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially before eating or coming home. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
If you do choose to get together for things like holiday parties, birthdays, and other get-togethers, have them outside and limit them to no more than 5 people outside your household.

Ritzville Wedding Update

To date nearly 50 Grant County residents diagnosed with COVID-19 self-identified as attending the large wedding in Ritzville in November. There have also been 11 confirmed cases in 2 additional counties in WA state. Through our investigations we know there were additional probable cases who were symptomatic close contacts of confirmed cases who chose not to go in for testing.

Three LTC staff diagnosed with COVID-19 self-identified as attending the wedding and worked while contagious before they knew they were ill. They care for all residents of a facility so it will not be known which individual cases or deaths are tied to the staff however the outbreak occurred at two facilities after the wedding occurred. These cases resulted in one (1) LTC outbreak at Lake Ridge that includes 12 staff, 65 residents, and 15 deaths.

One additional LTC death, in an Ephrata facility, can be directly linked to an attendee of the wedding. Because there is only one COVID-19 case linked to this facility and event we are not releasing the name of the facility to protect the identity of the individuals involved and their protected health information.

Not all the recent LTC deaths at long term care facilities were associated with the rural wedding attendance. The outbreak at McKay Healthcare is not associated with the wedding and their outbreak began several weeks before the wedding.

The cases of COVID-19 and recent deaths at Columbia Crest Center occurred after the November 7th wedding. During our investigations, we heard some staff may have attended the wedding which may have resulted in the outbreak. The staff diagnosed with COVID-19 we were able to interview did not self-identify as attending the event so we cannot conclusively link wedding attendees to this outbreak. This outbreak includes 21 staff, 27 residents, and 8 deaths.

Additionally, the Moses Lake School District had eleven (11) staff self-identify as attending the wedding which resulted in 1 additional known school district staff being infected.

There were an additional 14 known secondary cases which include transmission settings of households and social gatherings.

This update can be found on our Media Release page: http://granthealth.org/2020-media-releases/

December 9, 2020 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting an additional thirty-four (34) cases of COVID-19 today (PCR=10, antigen=24). This is an underestimate of 30-40 cases that we were not able to enter into our database due to investigations taking priority. Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

December 8, 2020 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting 104 cases of COVID-19 today (PCR=61, antigen=43). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, Warden, and Wilson Creek area. Demographics can be seen above.

Here are this week’s graphs with daily case counts and incidence rate for 14 days. The graphs are based on our internal database and case counts are incomplete for the most recent dates. Grant County still has a very high rate of COVID-19. Please use all precautions to slow the spread of illness:

Wear a face covering anytime you are around people you don’t live with;
Stay home if you feel sick;
Use physical distancing and stay 6 feet away from people outside your household;
Don’t have social gatherings with people you don’t live with, but if you do choose to get together, keep the group to 5 or fewer people outside your household, gather outside, and wear a mask;
Use good hygiene and wash your hands with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Together we can limit the spread of COVID-19.

December 7, 2020 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting an additional 165 cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=103, antigen=62). Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

December 4, 2020 – 4:30pm

GCHD is reporting an additional 77 cases of COVID-19 (PCR=22, antigen=55). Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Grand Coulee area, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

There are currently 13 deaths pending death certificate review including 9 that are associated with long term care facilities. Please, for the safety of everyone and especially our most vulnerable residents, choose to follow COVID-19 precautions and restrictions this weekend and in the days and weeks to come. Our healthcare facilities, businesses, and schools are depending on each of us to do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19.

December 3, 2020 – 5:30

Today GCHD is reporting an additional 81 cases of COVID-19 (PCR=37, antigen=44). Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

Grant County Health District is reporting ten (10) additional confirmed COVID-19 associated deaths of Grant County residents.

Seven (7) deaths were associated with Long Term Care Facilities (LTC) outbreaks reported on November 20th and all these residents had underlying conditions putting them at higher risk for severe complications due to a COVID-19 infection.:

McKay Healthcare & Rehab Center, Soap Lake (additional 3 pending death certificate review)
• Male in his 80sLake Ridge Center, Moses Lake (additional 1 pending death certificate review)
• Male in his 70s
• Male in his 80s
• Two (2) Males in their 90s

Columbia Crest Center, Moses Lake
•Male in his 80s
•Male in his 70s

Our investigations have determined that there were long term care staff who tested positive for COVID-19 who attended the large wedding in Ritzville, WA reported on November 16th. Because staff in these facilities care for entire units, direct contact with associated patients is not known.

There were also three (3) deaths not associated with an LTC:
• Female resident of Moses Lake in her 70s who had underlying conditions putting them at higher risk for severe complications due to a COVID-19 infection,
• Male resident of Moses Lake in his 80s who did not have underlying conditions putting them at higher risk for severe complications due to a COVID-19 infection, and
• Female in her 90s who had underlying conditions putting them at higher risk for severe complications due to a COVID-19 infection.

These deaths bring the total Grant County confirmed COVID-19 related deaths to fifty-four (54).Demographic data for all the deaths of Grant County residents due to COVID-19 can be seen in the full media release: http://granthealth.org/2020-media-releases/

December 2, 2020 – 5:30pm

GCHD is reporting an additional 74 cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=42, antigen=32). Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

Grant County Health District is reporting eight (8) additional confirmed COVID-19 associated deaths of Grant County residents.All eight (8) were associated with Long Term Care Facilities (LTC), with seven (7) of them being associated with the outbreaks reported on November 20th:

McKay Healthcare & Rehab Center, Soap Lake (additional 4 pending death certificate review)
• Female in her 90s

Lake Ridge Center, Moses Lake (additional 3 pending death certificate review)
• Female in her 60s
• Male in his 80s
• Male in his 90s

Columbia Crest Center, Moses Lake (additional 2 pending death certificate review)
• Male in his 70s
• Male in his 90s
• Male in his 80s

One other death was a resident of an LTC in Ephrata, a female in her 80s.

All these residents had underlying conditions putting them at higher risk for severe complications due to a COVID-19 infection. These deaths bring the total Grant County confirmed COVID-19 related deaths to forty-four (44).

We are saddened by the loss of these residents and grieve alongside their family and friends. Our hearts are with them and on behalf of our staff, Grant County Health Officer, and Board of Health, we are so sorry for your loss.

We need everyone to do their part to slow the spread and flatten the curve to ensuring our healthcare facilities are not overwhelmed. Each personal decision we make will impact our most vulnerable residents. For the health of your family, neighbors, and friends it is critical to wear a face covering in public and stay home if you feel sick or have been asked to quarantine or isolate. Everyone can do their part to protect one another and limit the spread of illness in our communities:
• Wear a face covering anytime you are in public or around people you do not live with.
• Stay home if you feel sick, are under quarantine or isolation orders, or have been told you are close contact to a confirmed case of COVID-19.
• Use physical distancing and stay 6 feet away from others as much as possible when you are in public or at work.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially before eating or coming home. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• If you do choose to get together for things like holiday parties, birthdays, and other get-togethers, have them outside and limit them to no more than 5 people outside your household.

December 1, 2020 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting an additional 65 cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=34, antigen=31). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. There are also now 25 Grant County residents hospitalized. Demographics can be seen above.

The Grant County incidence rate COVID-19 cases is starting to trend downward, however it’s too early to tell if it’s due to decreased testing over the holiday weekend or a true downward trend.

November 30, 2020 – 5:00pm

Grant County Health District is reporting 115 additional cases of COVID-19 since our last update. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Grand Coulee area, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

November 27, 2020 – 5:00pm

GCHD is reporting eighty-nine (89) cases of COVDI-19 since our last update. As in previous days, this is an undercount of cases that were reported to us over the last 2 days. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Grand Coulee area, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Warden, and Wilson Creek area. There are 18 Grant County residents currently hospitalized and 11 deaths are now pending death certificate review. Demographics can be seen above.

Below are daily case counts (not all days are full totals) and our current incidence rate which is nearing 1000 cases/100,000 residents/14 days. From previous surges we know that hospitalizations and then additional deaths will likely follow and we are starting to see that now. Please, for the health of your family, friends, and community, use all precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19:

Wear a facemask every time you are around people you don’t live with.
Stay home you feel sick or if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
Use 6 feet of distance between yourself and anyone you don’t live with as much as possible.
Wash you hands with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
If you have been given isolation or quarantine directives, follow them and stay home.
If you have been told by someone diagnosed with COVID-19 that you are a close contact, stay home for 14 days since your last contact with them.

November 25, 2020 – 5:00pm

Today we are reporting One hundred and ten (110) cases of COVID-19 (PCR=52, Antigen=58). As in previous days, this is not a full count and demographic information is missing for many cases. Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

Grant County Health District is reporting four additional confirmed COVID-19 associated deaths of Grant County residents. Three deaths were residents of Long Term Care Facilities (LTC) and are associated with the outbreaks reported on November 20th:
McKay Healthcare & Rehab Center, Soap Lake (Reported as pending on 11/20/20.)
* Female in her 80s
* Female in her 60s

Lake Ridge Center, Moses Lake
* Female in her 80s.

The fourth death, a male in his 60s who was a resident of Moses Lake, is not associated with an LTC.

We know each death affects families, friends, and communities and we are saddened by the loss of these residents. Our hearts are with their family and friends and on behalf of our staff, Grant County Health Officer, and Board of Health, we are so sorry for your loss.

Our most vulnerable community members — elderly, immunocompromised, and those with chronic conditions — are especially at risk of complications due to a COVID-19 infection and we must continue to take measures to protect them from this disease. The best way to do that this holiday season is by staying home and celebrating with only the people you live with. Your choice to gather with those outside your household could lead to additional cases of COVID-19 and even death. Please protect those you love, by staying home.

The full media release can be seen on our Media Release page: http://granthealth.org/2020-media-releases/

November 24, 2020 – 5:00pm

We are reporting seventy-six (76) cases of COVID-19 since our last update. Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

With Thanksgiving just a couple days away we want to remind you COVID-19 is very contagious! Without using all available precautions, it can spread very quickly. It can quickly move from your small dinner party out into the community, affecting our most vulnerable residents. We are again asking that you only celebrate with people you live with. We know it’s hard, it’s hard for us too.

If you do choose to get together with people you don’t live with, use all available precautions all the time: physical distancing of 6 feet as much as possible, eat outside and spaced out, wear a face covering if you are not actively eating, wash your hands often, and stay home if you feel sick, even just a little bit.

November 23, 2020 – 5:00pm

Today we are reporting an additional two hundred and twenty-five (225) cases of COVID-19 since our last update (PCR=125, Antigen=100). Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Grand Coulee area, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, and Warden. Demographics which are not complete due to many cases still under investigation, can be seen above.

We are not able to contact all cases the same day we are notified of positive results. If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, please stay home. A person with COVID-19 or a person suspected of having COVID-19 needs to stay home (isolate) for 10 days since symptoms started AND 24 hours after being fever free without medications AND other symptoms need to be improving.

We are asking everyone diagnosed with COVID-19 to notify their close contacts: people you have been around for a total of 15 minutes within 24 hours and closer than 6 feet. It doesn’t have to be 15 minutes of continuous contact; it could be several shorter exposures. With the surge in cases, GCHD is not able to do all contact tracing. If you are a close contact, please stay home (quarantine) for 14 days since your last contact with the positive case. We recommend you get tested 5-7 days after your contact, or sooner if you develop symptoms. If you develop symptoms, please isolate and follow the requirements above.

For more information on quarantine and isolation check out the WA Dept of Health Resources and look for “Quarantine and Isolation: What is the difference?” and “From Exposure to Feeling Better” under “You and Your Family”: https://www.doh.wa.gov/…/ResourcesandRecommendations

November 20, 2020 – 5:30pm

Today GCHD is reporting 108 cases of COVID-19. As in previous days, this is not a full total and demographic information is missing due to many cases still being under investigation. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Rural Othello, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Coulee City area, Grand Coulee area, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

This evening we provided an update on several long term care outbreaks to include announcing the deaths of 9 long term care residents. Our full press release is below.

Grant County Long Term Care COVID-19 Outbreaks

9 Deaths from McKay Outbreak

Lakeridge reports 49 residents and 12 staff members

Columbia Crest reports 25 residents and 22 staff members

Grant County, WA – Grant County Health District (GCHD) has received confirmation of COVID associated deaths of nine (9) McKay Healthcare & Rehab Center residents. Five (5) death certificates have confirmed COVID-19 associated death and 4 are pending. One death was reported on November 10, 2020. GCHD sends their heartfelt condolences to the staff and families who have lost their loved ones. The four confirmed deaths bring Grant County’s total to 32 deaths. GCHD will update the totals after the remaining death certificates are reviewed. No McKay residents are currently hospitalized.

The confirmed deaths include one female in her 60s, one female in her 80s, one female in her 90s, and one male in his 80s. The previous case reported was in her 80s.

GCHD requested an Isolation and Quarantine Strike Team from Department of Health who has been onsite to assist McKay with additional precautions to be taken to reduce the spread of the virus to other residents or staff.

McKay has remained open to the residents who tested negative. The COVID residents that were sent to the Pasco COVID facility will be returning to McKay later this month.

Lake Ridge Center and Columbia Crest – Moses Lake

Lake Ridge Center is a skilled nursing facility specializing in the care of residents with Alzheimer’s or other related Dementias. Columbia Crest is a skilled nursing long-term care facility. GCHD has been notified that Lake Ridge has had 49 residents and 12 staff members test positive for COVID-19. Columbia Crest has had 25 residents and 22 staff members test positive for COVID-19. The residents are being cared for onsite and with one resident hospitalized. Both facilities continue to be in constant communication with GCHD and have received consultation from the Dept of Health Isolation and Quarantine team.

GCHD has made links between COVID cases at two long term care facilities, one in Moses Lake and one in Ephrata, to the recent large wedding event. It is important to note that mass gathering events where COVID is spread will quickly spread into the community and risks the safety of our most vulnerable residents.

All long-term care facilities (LTCs) in Grant County have been preparing for the possibility of COVID-19 cases within their facilities for months. Each LTC has a COVID-19 response and isolation plan and have worked closely with GCHD to develop those plans. GCHD continues to work with these LTCs on testing, isolation, and quarantine.

Long-term care facilities serve our most vulnerable populations whose age and health conditions put them at a higher risk for severe complications due to COVID-19 and death. When community COVID rates are high, such as the rates Grant County is currently experiencing, long-term care facilities increase their routine testing and must work extra vigilant to try to keep COVID out of their facilities.

As residents of this community we all need to be vigilant about protecting these community members, especially those who work with or come into contact daily with those who are the most vulnerable. For the health of your family, neighbors, and friends, it is now more critical than before to wear a mask when in public. Limit the size of your gatherings, each personal decision we make to socialize outside of our households may impact our most vulnerable residents. Please mask up when out in public and protect one another.

For detailed information on Grant County COVID-19 related statistics, visit www.granthealth.org.

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November 19, 2020 – 5:00pm

Today GCHD is reporting forty-five (45) cases of COVID-19. As in previous days, this is not a full total and demographic information is missing due to many cases still being under investigation. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, Warden, and Wilson Creek area. We were also also notified of 2 additional deaths today that are pending death certificate review. Demographics can be seen above.

Please use all known precautions to protect yourself, your family, your friends, and your communities against COVID-19. The rate of transmission in Grant County is very high and spread is happening across many different employment sectors, communities, and age groups. Slowing the spread takes everyone doing their part. Each personal decision we make will impact our communities and our most vulnerable residents.

November 18, 2020 – 5:00pm

Today we are reporting sixty-nine (69) cases of COVID-19 (PCR=13, antigen=56). Additional cases were reported to GCHD, however we have not been able to total them or enter them into our internal database so they are not reflected in today’s update. Investigations are ongoing so many pieces of demographic data are missing. Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, and Soap Lake. Demographics can be seen above.

We know the tools that work to slow the spread of COVID-19. Everyone can do their part if they choose to. We control our rates and we can flatten the curve and reduce transmission. Everyone has to do their part.

November 17, 2020 – 5:00pm

Eighty-eight (88) cases of COVID-19 have been reported to GCHD since our last update (PCR=42, Antigen=46). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics are above. Not all the investigations for these cases have been completed and demographics will not equal the total number of cases.

We are investigating every positive case, but due to the surge in new cases we are not able to complete all contact tracing at this time. If you are a close contact of a positive case, we may not contact you. If you have tested positive for COVID-19, please stay home. We ask that you contact your close contacts and advise them to stay home for 14 days since the last time you were in contact and to go in for testing 5-7 days after you were last in contact or sooner if symptoms develop. To help determine how long to isolate or quarantine, the form “How long to isolate or quarantine if you have COVID-19 or have been exposed to COVID-19” is available on our Resources page in English, Spanish, Russian, and Ukrainian. It can be found under “Caring for Yourself and Others: http://granthealth.org/resources-for-covid-19/

One of the best ways to break the links of transmission is stay home if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19. When you stay home, you choose to prevent further infections and possible hospitalizations or deaths.

November 16, 2020 – 5:00pm

One-hundred and thirty-five cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD since our last update (Fri=11 additional, Sat=44, Sun=40, Mon=40). Eighty results are from PCR testing and 55 were from antigen testing. Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

The Grant County Health District (GCHD) is asking attendees of a large wedding held in a private location near Ritzville, WA on November 7th to get tested for COVID-19 after several people have tested positive for COVID-19. In addition, anyone who attended the wedding is being asked to self-quarantine through Saturday, November 21st.

Due to the multi-jurisdictional impact of this large event, GCHD felt it was necessary to notify the public. GCHD is trying to notify attendees about possible exposure, but with more than 300 people attending the wedding from many communities, local health jurisdictions are unlikely to reach them all. To date, there are 17 Grant County cases associated with this event, with more being added daily. Attendees diagnosed with COVID-19 have also been linked to 2 subsequent outbreaks. This is an evolving situation.

“We are very thankful to those attendees who have gone in for testing and are staying home. This helps protect their friends, coworkers, and communities from this illness” says Theresa Adkinson, District Administrator.

Weddings ceremonies are limited to a total of no more than 30 people and beginning today, indoor receptions or similar gatherings in conjunction with the ceremony are prohibited. Wedding organizers are strongly encouraged to keep a log of attendees at each service and to retain that log for at least two weeks. If an outbreak occurs, this information may be critical to help save lives.

GCHD recommends that anyone who attends a large event seek testing 5-7 days after the event, or sooner if symptoms develop. Additionally, a statewide travel advisory recommends a 14-day quarantine to anyone traveling out of state when they arrive back in WA and to get tested if symptoms develop.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include:

Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache• New loss of taste or smell
Congestion or runny nose

Our personal decisions affect the health of our family, friends, and communities and it is now more critical than before to use all known COVID-19 precautions:

Stay home as much as possible,
Always wear a face covering whenever going into public or interacting with people you don’t live with,
Use physical distancing of 6 feet whenever you are around others outside your household,• Wash your hands often, and
Anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should self-isolate at home and contact their healthcare provider for testing.

November 13, 2020 – 5:00pm

Sixty-eight (68) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today (PCR=32, antigen=36). Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Grand Coulee area, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Warden, and Wilson Creek area. Demographics can be found above.

The situation on COVID-19 transmission locally, statewide, and nationwide is not good. This virus is spreading quickly, with hospitalizations and deaths rising along with daily cases. This Thanksgiving we are asking that you celebrate at home with only the people you live with. We know this will be hard. It’s hard for us too. We miss spending time with family and friends, but this year is not a “normal” year. We are hoping that by skipping the big gatherings this year, we’ll prevent infections and be able to have them next year.

These conversations can be difficult to have. “One of the best gifts you can give your family and friends during the coming months is to not make them feel guilty about saying “no” to an invitation. We all need to make the best decisions we can for ourselves and for our families this year. Accepting those decisions with a simple “I understand — hope we can do it next year!” makes it easier on everyone.” For more tips on how to handle conversations around holiday gatherings, check out the WA Dept of Health blog: https://medium.com/…/difficult-conversations-8e3bb67b440f

November 12, 2020 – 5:00pm

Eighty-four (84) cases of COVID-19 have been reported to GCHD since our last update (Wed=46, Thur=38). Sixty-seven (67) cases were results from PCR testing with 17 from antigen testing. Two cases were found to be residents from another county and were removed from our counts. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Soap Lake, and Wilson Creek area. We are also reviewing 7 additional deaths. Demographics can be seen above.

Here is the weekly COVID-19 Snapshot for Grant County. By all metrics, the situation in Grant County is getting worse. Both the incidence rate and hospitalizations are increasing. If you don’t have to get together with others, don’t. Staying home is safest. If you do have to go out, wear a face covering, stay 6 feet away from others, and wash your hands. Please wear a mask whenever you are around anyone you don’t live with. Our personal decisions affect our family, friends, and communities. Our businesses, schools, and most vulnerable populations are depending on you doing your part to slow the spread of COVID-19.

November 10, 2020 – 5:00pm

Twenty-one (21) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today (PCR=9, Antigen=12). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, and Soap Lake. One case was found to be a resident of another county and was removed from our counts. Demographics can be seen above.

Cases and the incidence rate for Grant are continuing to increase. We have seen a sharp increase in the incidence rate over the last week and are now at 279 cases/100,000 residents/14 days. This is headed in the wrong direction. Please do your part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 among your family, friends, co-workers and community.

November 9, 2020 – 5:00pm

Sixty-eight cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCDH since our last update (Fri=2, Sat=11, Sun=14, Mon=32). Sixty-one (61) were results of RT-PCR testing and 7 were results from antigen testing. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Grand Coulee area, Mattawa area, Quincy area, Royal City, Warden, and Wilson Creek area. Demographics can be seen above.

We have the ability to control the rates in our communities through our actions and personal choices. The general precautions we recommend for COVID-19 have remained unchanged for months. Just in case you need to hear them again, here they are!

November 6, 2020 – 5:00pm

Forty-one (41) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today (PCR=24, antifgen=17). Cases are residents of Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, and Soap Lake. Demographics can be seen above.

We can all do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. The precautions for COVID-19 are pretty simple and you may be tired of hearing them, but here they are again:

Wear a face covering anytime you are around people you don’t live with.
Stay home if you feel sick or have been asked to quarantine or isolate.
Stay 6 feet away from anyone you don’t live with as much as possible.
Wash your hands with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if you can’t wash your hands.
In public spaces or in homes with someone who is sick, clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces frequently.
Keep your hands away from your mouth, nose, and eyes.

November 5, 2020 – 5:30pm

Twenty (20) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today (PCR=12, Antigen=8). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

Grant County Health District is reporting two additional confirmed COVID-19 associated deaths of Grant County residents:
• A female in her 70s from Moses Lake, and
• A female in her 80s from Moses Lake.

Both residents had underlying conditions putting them at higher risk for severe complications due to a COVID-19 infection. These deaths bring the total Grant County confirmed COVID-19 related deaths to twenty-seven (27).We are saddened by the loss of these residents and our hearts are with their family and friends. On behalf of our staff, Grant County Health Officer, and Board of Health, we are so sorry for your loss.

Our most vulnerable community members — elderly, immunocompromised, and those with chronic conditions — are especially at risk of complications due to a COVID-19 infection and we must continue to take measures to protect them from this disease. For the health of your family, neighbors, and friends it is critical to wear a face covering in public and stay home if you feel sick or have been asked to quarantine or isolate. Each personal decision we make will impact our most vulnerable residents.

Everyone can do their part to protect one another and limit the spread of illness in our communities:

Wear a face covering anytime you are in public or around people you do not live with.
Stay home if you feel sick or are under quarantine or isolation orders.
Limit social gatherings, like holiday parties, birthdays, and other get-togethers to no more than 5 people outside your household.
Use physical distancing and stay 6 feet away from others as much as possible when you are in public or at work.
Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially before eating or coming home. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

November 4, 2020 – 4:30pm

Thirty (30) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today (PCR=7, Antigen=23). Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Royal City, and Soap Lake. Demographics can be seen above.

One way to support our mental health is by taking control of our social media. Social media can be a great way to connect with friends and loved ones, but it can also drain our energy and cause worry, anxiety, or anger. You can take control by:

Limiting the amount of time spent on social media
Follow things that make you happy
Unfollow, hide, or mute accounts that upset you
Share what you would want to see
Spread facts not fear

For more information check out the WA Dept of Health blog: https://medium.com/wadepthealth/support-your-mental-health-by-taking-control-of-your-social-media-ae03d3bc771a

November 3, 2020 – 5:00pm

Fifteen (15) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today (PCR=4, Antigen=11). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, Quincy area, and Soap Lake. Demographics can be seen above.

Here are this week’s graphs for cases per day and incidence rate. Our incidence rate is down from last week, but we have seen about a 3% growth rate over the last 3 days. Let’s work on getting it to continue to drop! Wear a face covering anytime you are around people outside your household! Keep your gatherings small, very small and limit them to 5 people outside your household per week! Stay home if you feel sick! Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol! Keep 6 feet between yourself and anyone you don’t live with!

November 2, 2020 – 5:00pm

Forty-three (43) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD since our last update (Fri=9, Sat=6, Sun=11, Mon=17). Twenty-nine (29) of the results were from RT-PCR testing and 14 were from antigen testing. Demographics can be seen above.

Our colleagues at Public Health Seattle-King County have some great tips for self-care. “It is a challenging time for everyone right now and it’s hard to find stability in our lives. While many things are beyond our control, there are many things that we can control. When we are anxious and fearful, working some of these things into our lives can be empowering and comforting.

Focusing on establishing new practices of self-care can support your immune system and overall physical and mental health.” For more information on self-care please see their blog: https://publichealthinsider.com/…/self-care-during…/

October 30, 2020 – 4:30pm

Sixteen (16) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCDH today (PCR=15, Antigen=1). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, and Soap Lake. Demographics can be seen above.

We know many of you will be celebrating Halloween and we want you to do it safely! Unlike Halloween treats, COVID-19 definitely isn’t sweet. Staying home and celebrating with your household is the safest. Carving pumpkins, a movie night, or a candy scavenger hunt are some great ways to have fun and celebrate with those you live with!

If you have any symptoms of COVID-19 you should stay home!

If you do choose to go out:

Avoid large parties,
Wear a face covering,
Stay 6 feet away from others, and
Wash your hands with soap and water as soon as you get home and use sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol while you’re out.

October 29, 2020 – 5:00pm

Thirteen (13) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCDH today (PCR=12, Antigen=1). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Royal City, and Quincy area. Demographics can be seen above.

Here is this week’s Grant County COVID-19 Snapshot. We have dropped below 200 cases/100,000 residents/14 days for the first time in several months. Keep our numbers dropping by wearing a face covering anytime you are around people outside your household, staying home if you feel sick, washing your hands with soap and water, and keeping your gatherings small!

October 28, 2020 – 5:00pm

Twenty (20) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today (PCR=12, Antigen=8). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, and Soap Lake. Demographics can be seen above.

After a week of increasing rates, we are seeing a decrease! This is great news, but to keep it dropping, everyone has to stay diligent on using COVID-19 precautions. Thanks to everyone who is doing their part to limit the spread of COVID-19 in their communities!

Halloween in this weekend and staying home is safest, but if you do go out, please do it safely:

Don’t gather in groups larger than 5 people outside your household. Gathering outside, spaced out, is safer than gathering indoors.
If you go trick-or-treating, go only with people you live with.
Wear a face covering anytime you are around people outside your household.
Stay 6 feet away from others.

October 27, 2020 – 5:00pm

Seven (7) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Moses Lake, Quincy area, and Royal City. Demographics can be seen above.

Grant County Health District is reporting an additional confirmed COVID-19 associated death of a Grant County resident. The resident was a male in his 50s from Quincy with underlying conditions putting him at higher risk for severe complications. This death brings the total Grant County confirmed COVID-19-related deaths to twenty-five (25). For graphs of community of residence, age range, sex at birth, and month died of all 25 deaths, please see the full media release: http://granthealth.org/2020-media-releases/

We grieve the loss of another of our residents and our hearts are with his family and friends. On behalf of our staff, Grant County Health Officer, and Board of Health, we are so sorry for your loss.

Our most vulnerable community members — elderly, immunocompromised, and those with chronic conditions — are especially at risk of complications due to a COVID-19 infection and we must continue to take measures to protect them from this disease. For the health of your family, neighbors, and friends it is critical to wear a face covering in pubic and stay home if you feel sick or have been asked to quarantine or isolate. Each personal decision we make will impact our most vulnerable residents.

Everyone can do their part to protect one another and limit the spread of illness in our communities:

Wear a face covering anytime you are in public or around people you do not live with.
Stay home if you feel sick or are under quarantine or isolation orders.
Use physical distancing and stay 6 feet away from others as much as possible when you are in pubic or at work.
Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially before eating or coming home. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Limit social gatherings, like BBQs, parties, and other get-togethers to no more than 5 people outside your household.

October 26, 2020 – 5:30pm

Twenty-four (24) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD since our last update (Sat=5, Sun=9, Mon=11). Twenty-one (21) cases were results from PCR testing and 3 were from antigen testing. One case was found to be a resident of another county and was removed from our counts. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Grand Coulee area, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, and Soap Lake. Demographics can be seen above.

This graphic shows just how much COVID-19 can spread when given the chance. The index case is the case with the earliest symptom onset date as reported to GCHD and was not the first case of this cluster reported to GCHD. This index case, with the help of some gatherings, lead to 38 additional known cases. We know not everyone who was a close contact of these cases got tested, even if they were symptomatic, so there are likely additional, unconfirmed cases related to these events. Not only were there more than 30 cases linked to the original gathering, but there were 3 people that were hospitalized due to COVID-19, one of whom never attended the original event. There are at least 4 confirmed cases in another county related to this cluster.

Please use all known precautions when getting together with others: wear a face covering, use physical distancing of 6 feet, stay home if you feel sick. You may prevent your friends, family, and acquaintances from getting sick or ending up in the hospital. You may even save people you don’t know from this illness and the severe consequences that can come from it.

October 23, 2020 – 5:00 pm

Fifteen (15) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today (PCR=11, Antigen=4). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello and Quincy. Demographics can be seen above.

One of the most important steps we can take in slowing the spread of COVID-19 is for anyone who has had close contact with an infected person to get tested and self-quarantine for 14 days. Earlier this week, CDC updated their definition of “close contact,” which will lead to some changes in how we identify close contacts.

CDC’s new criteria for a close contact includes someone who spent a combined total of 15 minutes near (less than six feet) a person who is infected, in a 24-hours period. The key difference is that “close contact” was previously defined as 15 consecutive minutes (a single interaction of 15 mins or greater), whereas the new definition is based on total time spent during a day — so three five-minute close interactions would now qualify as “close contact.”

What this means is that interactions can add up. Even short interactions without physical distancing, and especially without masks, are not risk-free – and the potential for spreading the virus increases with time, how close you are to the infected person and whether the infected person has symptoms.

Adapted from Public Health Insider article “What Exactly is a Close Contact?“

October 22, 2020 – 5:00 pm

Nine (9) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today (PCR=7, Antigen=2). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake and Quincy. Demographics can be seen above.

This is the first time in a couple months that we have had a single digit number of cases reported in a day. The number of hospitalized patients has decreased recently as well; though our case rate is up slightly this week. As you can see in the COVID-19 Activity Snapshot below, we are making progress, but still have a ways to go to hit all of our goals.

Please continue to take precautions to limit the spread of COVID-19 anytime you are around people outside your household by wearing a face covering, staying 6 feet away , washing your hands, and staying home when you are sick.

October 21, 2020 – 5:00pm

Thirteen (13) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today (PCR=12, Antigen=1). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Grand Coulee area, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

Pandemics don’t take a holiday, but you can. With a little creative thinking, you can find ways to take a break, connect, and show your love and appreciation to people who are important to you. Gathering in groups—even with people we know—may spread COVID-19. The more people we interact with at a gathering and the longer that interaction lasts, the higher the risk of becoming infected. For tips on how to share celebrations safely in the coming months, check out the new WA Safer Gatherings website at www.coronavirus.wa.gov/gatherings

October 20, 2020 – 5:00pm

Twelve (12) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today (PCR=8, Antigen=4). Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Moses Lake, Quincy area, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

Today we are sharing a few updated charts. First is exposure settings for September 25 – October 16. There is still a lot of community spread with no known links to confirmed cases. Gatherings of all types, social, public, and community, are also significantly contributing to cases. Please use precautions to limit the spread of COVID-19 anytime you are around people outside your household such as wearing a face covering, staying 6 feet away from others, washing your hands, and staying home when you are sick.

The majority of people we talk to are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms with only 17% reporting they are asymptomatic. Depending on how early in their illness we talk to people diagnosed with COVID-19, they may also be pre-symptomatic, which isn’t reflected in the graph and we don’t track.

The incidence rate for cases/100k residents/14 days continues to increase. As residents of Grant County, we can control our rates and we have the choice of following precautions. We know what tools work, but they can’t work from the “toolbox”. We have to take them out and use them.

October 19, 2020 – 5:00pm

Thirty (30) cases of COVID-19 were reported to us since our last update (Sat=13, Sun=8, Mon=9). Twenty-four (24) of the cases were results from PCR testing with 6 from Antigen testing. Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Moses Lake, Mattawa area, and Quincy area. Demographics can be seen above.

October 16, 2020 – 5:00pm

Thirty-one (31) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today (PCR=27, Antigen=4). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, and Quincy area. Demographics can be seen above.

Here is this week’s COVID-19 Snapshot. Unfortunately, our incidence rates as well as hospitalizations are increasing. In the time that’s passed since this snapshot was created yesterday, 3 more residents have been hospitalized. Please take precautions against the spread of COVID-19. Wear a face covering, wash your hands, stay 6 feet away from others, stay home if you feel sick! Each personal decision we make will impact our most vulnerable residents who are most at risk of severe complications due to COVID-19.

October 15, 2020 – 5:00pm

Thirty-six (36) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today (PCR=29, Antigen=7). Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, Mattawa, area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, and Soap Lake. Demographics can be seen above.

This year, it’s more important than ever to get vaccinated against the flu. The flu vaccine can keep you from getting and spreading the flu to others during the COVID-19 pandemic, and help keep our hospitals from being overwhelmed. We may not have a vaccine for COVID-19 yet, but we do have one for flu. Prevent the spread of flu and other respiratory illnesses:

Mask Up: Cover your nose and mouth with a mask when out in public.
Lather Up: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
Sleeve Up: Roll up your sleeve to get a flu shot.

October 14, 2020 – 5:00

Twenty (20) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. All results were from PCR testing. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, and Soap Lake. Demographics can be seen above.

October 13, 2020 – 5:00pm

Seventeen (17) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today (PCR=11, Antigen=6). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, and Quincy area. Demographics can be seen on our website: http://granthealth.org/updates-for-covid-19-in-grant-county/

Our steady decline in cases that has been occurring over the last few weeks has plateaued. We have the tools we need to see cases continue to drop. If everyone does their part, we can limit the spread of COVID-19. We all need to:

Wear a face covering anytime we are around people we don’t live with, including at work, school, places of worship, retail and grocery stores, and social gatherings.
Stay home if we feel sick.
Use physical distancing of 6 feet between ourselves and others.
Wash our hands with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Keep our gatherings small, less than 5 people outside our house (and when you do hang out, wear a face covering!)

October 12, 2020 – 5:00pm

Fifty-five (55) cases of COVID-19 have been reported to GCHD since our last update (Fri=7, Sat=17, Sun=17, Mon=14). All results were from PCR testing. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, and Soap Lake. Three (3) additional people were also hospitalized for a current total of 17 residents hospitalized. Demographics are on our website: http://granthealth.org/updates-for-covid-19-in-grant-county/

Grant County Health District is reporting three (3) additional COVID-19 associated deaths of Grant County residents. The residents are:

• A female in her 30s from Mattawa with no underlying health conditions,
A male in his 60s from Quincy with underlying health conditions putting him at higher risk for severe complications of COVID-19, and
A male in his 60s from Moses Lake with underlying health conditions putting him at higher risk for severe complications of COVID-19.

This is a sad reminder that COVID-19 can affect anyone, of any age. These deaths bring the total Grant County COVID-19-related deaths to twenty-four (24).We grieve the loss of 3 more of our residents and our hearts are with their family and friends. On behalf of our staff, Grant County Health Officer, and Board of Health, we are so sorry for your loss.

Grant County Health District delays the announcement of COVID-19 associated deaths to give families time to notify their loved ones. We also verify COVID-19 is listed as a cause of death on the death certificate to ensure we are not reporting deaths that are not attributed to COVID-19. All reported deaths of Grant County residents are attributed to COVID-19 and were verified with the death certificate, testing, and other case information.
Our most vulnerable community members — elderly, immunocompromised, and those with chronic conditions — are especially at risk of complications due to a COVID-19 infection and we must continue to take measures to protect them from this disease. For the health of your family, neighbors, and friends it is critical to wear a face covering in pubic and limit the size of your gatherings. Each personal decision we make will impact our most vulnerable residents.

Everyone can do their part to protect one another and limit the spread of illness in our communities:

Wear a face covering anytime you are in public or around people you do not live with.
Stay home if you feel sick or are under quarantine or isolation orders.
Use physical distancing and stay 6 feet away from others as much as possible when you are in pubic or at work.
Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially before eating or coming home. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Limit social gatherings, like BBQs, parties, and other social events to no more than 5 people outside your household.

October 9, 2020 – 5:00pm

Fifteen (15) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today (PCR=9, Antigen=6). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, Quincy Area, Soap Lake, and Wilson Creek area. One case was found to be a resident of another county and was removed from our counts. Demographics can be found above.

We know you’re tired of COVID-19. We are too! COVID-19 loves excuses so we have to remain diligent in using precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We know what tools work: Mask Up, Spread Out, Keep Groups Small! Those small steps along with washing your hands and staying home if you feel sick, go a long ways to protect yourselves and others from catching and spreading COVID-19.

October 8, 2020 – 4:45pm

Twenty-four (24) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. Cases are residents of the Grand Coulee area, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, and Royal City. One case was found to be a resident of another county and was removed from our counts. Demographics can be found above.

As seen yesterday, our incidence rate is continuing to drop. Also, hospitalizations are down from last week as well. Both metrics are great news! Let’s keep these trends going by wearing a face covering, keeping gatherings small, and staying home if you feel sick.

October 7, 2020 – 5:00pm

Twenty-four (24) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today (PCR=20, Antigen=4). Cases are residents of the Coulee City area, Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, and Wilson Creek area. Demographics can be found above.

For the first time since July, our rate per 100,000 residents per 14 days has dropped below 300. This is an encouraging downward trend we want to see continue! As residents of Grant County we control our rates. When we choose to use precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 we are choosing to protect our families, friends, and communities and we are choosing to work towards opening our schools and businesses. Each of us can do our part to keep the trend moving downward by:

Limiting the size of our gatherings,
Always wearing a face covering when we are around people we don’t live with,
Staying home if we feel sick, and
Washing our hands with soap and water or using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

October 6, 2020 – 5:00pm

Eighteen (18) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today (PCR=9, Antigen=9). Cases are residents of Coulee City area, Ephrata, and Moses Lake. Demographics can be found above.

We are starting to see an increase in the number of cases associated with community and social gatherings. Please remember to always wear a face covering when you are around people outside your own household including in retail stores, restaurants (when not eating), churches, and family or social gatherings. If you feel sick, even if you think it might be allergies or another virus, please stay home. Remember to wash your hands with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. We can all do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.

October 5, 2020 – 5:00pm

Twenty-eight cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD since our last update (Sat=8, Sun=11, Mon=9). Of those, 25 were from PCR-RT testing and 3 were results from antigen tests. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, and Moses Lake. Demographics can be seen above.

October 2, 2020 – 5:00pm

Fifteen (15) cases of COVDI-19 were reported to GCHD today. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

Grant County Health District is reporting the 21st COVID-19 associated death in a Grant County resident. The resident was a male in his 80s from Moses Lake. He had underlying health conditions putting him at higher risk for severe complications of COVID-19. This death brings the total Grant County COVID-19 related deaths to twenty-one (21).

As our community experiences the loss of another resident, our hearts are with his family and friends. On behalf of our staff, Grant County Health Officer, and Board of Health, we are so sorry for your loss.

Our most vulnerable community members — elderly, immunocompromised, and those with chronic conditions — are especially at risk of complications due to a COVID-19 infection and we must continue to take measures to protect them from this disease. For the health of your family, neighbors, and friends it is critical to wear a face covering in pubic and limit the size of your gatherings. Each personal decision we make will impact our most vulnerable residents.

Everyone can do their part to protect one another and limit the spread of illness in our communities:

Wear a face covering anytime you are in public or around people you do not live with.
Stay home if you feel sick or are under quarantine or isolation orders.
Use physical distancing and stay 6 feet away from others as much as possible when you are in pubic or at work.
Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially before eating or coming home. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Limit social gatherings, like BBQs, parties, and other get-togethers to no more than 5 people outside your household.

October 1, 2020 – 5:00pm

Twenty-five (25) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today (PCR=24, Antigen=1). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy, and Warden. One case was found to be resident of another county and was removed from our counts. Demographics can be found above.

Here is this week’s COVID-19 Snapshot for Grant County. Our rate per 100,000 residents over the last 14 days is down for the second week in a row! Unfortunately, hospitalizations are up this week. Please use precautions like wearing a face covering, limiting the size of your gatherings, and staying home if you feel sick to protect your family, friends, and those around you. We can all do our part to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.

September 30, 2020 – 5:00pm

Eleven (11) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. New cases are residents of Grand Coulee area, Mattawa area, and Moses Lake. One case was found to be a resident of another county and was removed from our counts. Demographics can be found above.

September 29, 2020 – 5:00pm

Ten (10) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCDH today (PCR=7, Antigen=3). People diagnosed with COVID-19 are residents of Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

Our average daily case count and incidence rate over the last 14 days is continuing to drop. We did see an increase in the rate briefly when the results from the free testing events came in, but since then, we have seen a fairly steady decline in the rate. Thanks to everyone doing their part to limit the spread of COVID-19. You are protecting your family, friends, co-workers, and community and you are helping schools and business get closer to fully opening!

September 28, 2020 – 5:00 pm

Fifty (50) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD Saturday through today. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

We were able to compile all the testing data for the free COVID-19 testing events held in Moses Lake and Quincy. We’ve included total results below. For a demographics of the positive cases as well as a breakdown by event, please click here to see the full report.

September 25, 2020 – 5:30pm

Twelve (12) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today (PCR=12 Antigen=0). Cases are residents of the Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Warden, Ephrata, and Royal City.

We are reporting two additional COVID-19 associated deaths in Grant County residents. The residents were both females in their 60s from the Quincy community. One had underlying health conditions putting her at higher risk for severe complications of COVID-19. The other resident did not have underlying health conditions or risk factors besides age. These deaths bring the total Grant County COVID-19-related deaths to twenty (20). Full press release can be found at http://granthealth.org/2020-media-releases/Each person we loss has a family and friends who are mourning their loss, our hearts go out to the families. Please be kind to one another and let’s work together as a community to learn to live with COVID by being as safe as we can while getting life back on course.

September 24, 2020 – 5:30pm

Twenty-three (23) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today (PCR=21, Antigen=2). Cases are residents of Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Ephrata, and Royal City. Full demographics for all the new cases were not available at the time of this report.

We continue to see a flattening of cases, but remain at much higher and decreased testing. Thank you for your continued dedication and commitment to keeping our most vulnerable safe and working towards more children getting to return to school.

Tomorrow we will have a report on last week’s testing event.

September 23, 2020 – 5:00pm

Forty-two (42) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today (PCR=40, Antigen=2). Eighteen (18) of the cases are related to agricultural testing. Cases are residents of Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, and Quincy. Demographics can be seen above.

Our rates/100,000 residents/14 days is flattening out somewhat. Please remain diligent about using precautions for COVID-19 such as wearing a face covering anytime you are in public, keeping 6 feet of distance between yourself and others as much as possible, washing your hands with soap and water, and staying home if you feel sick. When everyone does their part, our rates will come down.

September 22, 2020 – 6:30pm

Thirty-five (35) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. Two (2) cases were found to be residents of another county and were removed from our counts. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, and Warden. Demographics can be found above.

There were a total of 764 people tested during the free testing events last week. We have contacted or tried to contact all those with positive test results. If you have a message from us, please call us back. We have not finished calling everyone with negative results, but even this evening calls are being made! There are approximately 80 people left to call. Please do not call our office unless we have called you. We will call you!

We are still sorting through the data, but here is a quick summary of the events:

Moses Lake Event – 262 total tests (9.5% positive rate)
Quincy Event – 502 total tests (6.0% positive rate)

September 21, 2020 – 5:00pm

There were sixty-seven (67) cases of COVID-19 reported to GCHD since the last update (Sat=16, Sun=36, Mon=11). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, and Warden. Twenty-five (25) of the results on Sunday were from the testing events in Moses Lake and Quincy. Demographics are above.

We are still receiving results from the testing events and will share numbers with you when we get them. At the Moses Lake event there were 262 people tested. The Quincy event had 502 people tested. Once we have all the results, we will share how many total were positive at each event, as well as age, sex, and community counts.

September 18, 2020 – 5:00 pm

Thirty-five (35) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today (RT-PCR=35, antigen=0). Cases are residents of Moses Lake, Ephrata, Quincy, Othello Rural Grant County, and Mattawa. Demographics can be found above. Some demographics are still unknown due to still being under investigation.

Tomorrow’s free COVID testing event will be in Quincy 9:00 am -6:30 pm at the Quincy High School.

September 17, 2020 – 6:00 pm

Twenty-four (24) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today (RT-PCR=22, antigen=2). Cases are residents of Moses Lake, Quincy, Royal City, Warden and Mattawa. Demographics can be found above. Some demographics are still unknown due to still being under investigation.

Why get tested for COVID-19 tomorrow in Moses Lake or Quincy on Saturday??? Because, knowing if you have COVID will help your community to open back up. Get our children back into school. And this goes on.

How???? We can assure you Grant County, this is not the state coming in to shut you down, in fact, our testing numbers are down, which increases our positive rate which is a very important metric for moving to the next phase and opening our schools back up. We need to have a better understanding of the rate, right now we are over 20% positive, way too high. When residents are asymptomatic, refuse to go get tested, and continue to work and go to school, then our entire community suffers. You’ve seen our deaths increase and schools remain closed to in person learning for all students. We know we won’t convince some of you. But for the rest of you, this opportunity really is a gift to our community. In fact in Okanogan County, they were pleasantly surprised to see how few positives they had. Knowing this data has helped their local community leaders with their planning efforts to get their schools reopened. We anticipate lots of negatives as well! Because we know how hard many of you have worked to limit your gatherings and masking up! But we’ll be here to help the positive residents to inform their vulnerable loved ones to slow the spread to friends and family.

September 16, 2020 – 6:30pm

Twenty-six (26) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today (RT-PCR=25, antigen=1). Cases are residents of Moses Lake, Quincy, Royal City, and Warden. Demographics can be found above.

Just a reminder, we will not be offering the free testing event tomorrow in Moses Lake. We will be having the event on Friday in Moses Lake at the Fairgrounds and in Quincy on Saturday at the Quincy High School. The events will run from 9:00am-6:30pm each day. Events are free and open to anyone who wants to be tested.

September 15, 2020 – 5:00pm

Fourteen (14) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today (RT-PCR=11, Antigen=3). Cases are residents of Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Royal City, rural Othello, and Warden. Demographics can be found above.

Grant County Health District is reporting the 18th COVID-19 associated death in a Grant County resident. The resident was a female in her 70s from Mattawa. The resident had medical conditions putting her at higher risk for severe complications of COVID-19. This death brings the total Grant County COVID-19-related deaths to eighteen (18).

As our community experiences an additional loss of a resident, our hearts are with her family and friends. On behalf of our staff, Grant County Health Officer, and Board of Health, we are so sorry for your loss.

Our most vulnerable community members — elderly, immunocompromised, and those with chronic conditions — are especially at risk and we must continue to take measures to protect them from this disease. For the health of your family, neighbors, and friends, it is critical to wear a face covering in pubic and limit the size of your gatherings. Each personal decision we make will impact our most vulnerable residents.

Everyone can do their part to protect one another and limit the spread of illness in our communities:

Wear a face covering anytime you are in public or around people you do not live with.
Stay home if you feel sick or are under quarantine or isolation orders.
Use physical distancing and stay 6 feet away from others as much as possible when you are in pubic or at work.
Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially before eating or coming home. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Limit social gatherings, like BBQS, birthday parties, and other get-togethers to no more than 5 people outside your household.

Our Regional Epidemiologist updated the following graphs with daily case counts and case rate per 100,000 residents per 14 days. Although the Grant County case rate has dropped over the last 2 weeks, we must continue to take all precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Our community, schools, and businesses are relying on you to help slow the spread of the virus in Grant County.

September 14, 2020 – 5:00pm

Ninety-seven (97) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD since our last update (Fri=2, Sat=25, Sun=36, Mon=34). Ninety-five (95) results were from RT-PCR tests and 2 were from antigen testing. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

Grant County Health District, with support from many agencies, will be hosting free COVID-19 testing events in Moses Lake and Quincy later this week. These events are one-time surveillance events to increase access to COVID-19 testing with a goal of better understanding disease presence in our communities. If the smoke continues to make it unsafe to be outdoors, we may need to reschedule the events.

We are greatly appreciative of help from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, Grant County Fairgrounds, Moses Lake Community Health Center, Quincy Police Department, Quincy School District, Atlas Genomics, Discovery Health, Lifeline Ambulance, and the WA Dept of Health. Without their assistance and support we would not be able to offer to this opportunity.

September 11, 2020 – 5:00pm

Eighteen (18) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD since our last update (RT-PCR=17, Antigen=1). Cases are residents of Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, and Warden. Demographics can be found above.

“If you’ve got red, itchy eyes and no fever right now, the good news is this is not generally a symptom of COVID-19. However, it can be a sign that the wildfire smoke in the air is affecting your body. If you have mild symptoms of smoke irritation, like itchy eyes or an irritated nose or throat, take steps to reduce your exposure to smoke now to prevent a more serious reaction.”

Here are some things you can do to stay safe:
* Stay indoors, with just members of your household. Remember, it is much easier to spread COVID-19 indoors than it is outdoors.
* Reduce outdoor physical activity. Save your walks, jogs, and yard work for a day when the air quality is better.
* Keep indoor air clean.

For more info see the WA DOH Blog: https://medium.com/wadepthealth/wildfire-smoke-covid-19-are-a-bad-mix-7890d1a49ca4

September 10, 2020 – 6:00pm

Forty-two (42) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD since our last update (RT-PCR=40, Antigen=2). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy, Royal City, and Warden. Twenty-nine (29) of the cases are associated with agricultural testing. Demographics can be found above.

This week’s Grant County COVID-19 snapshot shows the continued trend in lowering our rate of cases/100,000 residents/14 days. Hospitalizations are unfortunately up for the second week in a row.

September 9, 2020 – 5:00pm

Fifteen (15) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today (PCR=12, Antigen=3). One previously reported case was found to be a resident of another county and was removed from our counts. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, Quincy area, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

Grant County Health District (GCHD) is reporting the 16th and 17th deaths associated with severe complications due to COVID-19 infection in a Grant County resident. The 16th case was a male Quincy resident in his 80s who died while hospitalized. The resident had underlying conditions putting him at higher risk for severe complications of COVID-19. The 17th case was a male Quincy resident in his 30s who died while hospitalized. The resident had no known underlying conditions. The graph shown includes the causes of death listed for all 17 Grant County residents we have reported. Of those 17 death certificates, 10 included “Other Conditions Contributing to Death”. The remaining 7 had no other conditions listed.

Additionally, Royal City School District is actively working with GCHD to investigate and contact trace four (5) COVID-19 cases: one (1) staff member and four (4) students from Red Rock Elementary, Intermediate School, and Middle School. At this point into the investigations, it is too early to assess whether there was any additional spread at schools. For now, the schools in Royal City remain open based on the local school board decision to offer some form of in-person learning, but given the rate of COVID in Grant County, there is a continued risk for COVID spread on campus. GCHD alongside the school district staff continues to look for any additional cases and any evidence of school-based spread or school outbreaks. The decision to close the schools will be based on finding spread or outbreaks on school premises or on the buses. GCHD would like to thank RSD staff and leadership for their continued partnership and dedication to disease prevention and contact tracing.

More information can be found on the full media release on our website: http://granthealth.org/2020-media-releases/

September 8, 2020 – 5:30pm

Eighty-six (86) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD since our last update (Sat-23. Sun-39, Mon-9, Tues-15). Five (5) were results of antigen testing and eighty-one (81) were from RT-PCR testing. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

The trend in cases per day per the last 14 days is continuing to plateau and slowly decline. We hope this downward trend will continue!

September 4, 2020 – 5:00pm

Thirty-two (32) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. All were from RT-PCR testing. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, and Royal City. Two previously reported cases were found to be residents of another county and were removed from our counts. Demographics can be found above.

A holiday weekend is the chance to relax and have some fun, but don’t let your celebration spread COVID-19. We know gatherings like backyard BBQs, parties, and other gatherings can lead to more cases of COVID-19. We also know how to stop that from happening, while having FUN:

Face coverings on! Make sure you wear a face covering anytime you are around people that you don’t live with including friends and family.
Under 5 people! If you do choose to gather together, keep you gatherings small and preferably outside.
No closer than 6 feet! Practice physical distancing and stay 6 feet away from those around you.

September 3, 2020 – 5:00pm

Forty (40) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today (PCR-38, Antigen-2). Two (2) individuals previously tested positive with an antigen test were confirmed with a PCR test. Those cases were removed from the antigen count and moved to the PCR count. We also have an additional death under review. Cases are residents of Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

This week’s snapshot shows the rate of COVID-19 cases is dropping, which is great news! The hospitalization rate did unfortunately increase over the last week. Just because rates are starting to decrease, doesn’t mean we can stop using all precautions to prevent the spread of illness. Let’s not lose this momentum because of Labor Day Weekend. We have seen what happens with other holidays and the rise in cases after family and social gatherings. With Labor Day Weekend almost here please remember:

Keep your gatherings to 5 or fewer people!
Wear a mask anytime you are around people you don’t live with, including friends and family!
Use physical distancing of at least 6 feet between yourself and others!
Stay home if you are sick or under quarantine or isolation directives!
Wash your hands with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer with more than 60% alcohol!

September 2, 2020 – 5:00pm

Forty-three (43) cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today (PCR-38, Antigen-5). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

Most of you have probably seen the CDC report that showed 94% of the people who have died from COVID-19 in the US had comorbidities. Some people have misinterpreted that data point by saying that only 6% of people really died from COVID-19 and all the others died from something else. That is simply not true.

So, what about comorbidities? Comorbidities is another way of saying pre-existing or underlying medical condition. In addition to listing COVID, it’s those types of conditions that could be listed as contributing causes on a death certificate. If a person with cancer, chronic kidney disease, or diabetes gets sick with COVID-19, develops breathing difficulty, and rapidly dies, their death can confidently be attributed to COVID-19 unless their pre-existing condition was so severe that they were just about to die from it. People with pre-existing conditions have weaker organs and therefore are more likely to experience severe COVID disease but it is generally not the pre-existing condition that causes the death. COVID either causes a condition that led to death such as acute respiratory distress or pneumonia or exacerbated a known condition that led to death such as COPD. We know that people of any age with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 so it makes sense that those would be the people dying at a greater rate than others. More info on specific comorbidities that put people at risk can be found on the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html

COVID-19 is a virus that can cause death just like influenza, tuberculosis, Ebola, and Hantavirus are viruses that can cause death. How severe the illness is, and the outcome depend on the individual’s internal response, how well they can fight the infection, and how they respond to medical interventions. Saying that someone with diabetes who dies of pneumonia due to a COVID-19 infection didn’t really die from COVID-19 would be like saying someone with diabetes who died of organ failure due to Ebola didn’t die from Ebola. Sure, that’s an extreme comparison of two very different viruses, but the outcomes are the same: death due to conditions caused by a viral infection.

September 1, 2020 – 5:00pm

Sixteen (16) positive cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today from PCR tests. An additional ten (10) positive cases were reported from antigen tests. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, and Warden. If one thing has remained the same throughout this pandemic, it’s that change is inevitable. Although we added positive antigen tests as probable to our web tables yesterday, we are changing the label today and updating our tables. After discussion with regional Health Officers including Dr. Brzezny, and input from the State Epidemiologist, we will separate antigen tests from PCR tests, but both will be considered “positive”. We have added a row for total positives that combines both kinds of testing. The demographic tables will include all positive cases and were updated with the antigen tests that were reported yesterday as well as today. Those tables can be seen on our website: http://granthealth.org/updates-for-covid-19-in-grant-county/

Lets end with some good news – our rate of cases/100,000 residents/14 days is trending down and we have seen some plateauing over the last few days in new cases. Both are promising signs. The graph of cases per day below does not include antigen tests, but beginning next week it will. Let’s keep this momentum going by masking up, limiting the size of gatherings, using physical distancing, and washing our hands. We want to see both schools and businesses fully open. Together, we can get there!

August 31, 2020 – 5:00pm

Sixty-three confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD since our last update (Fri-5, Sat-29, Sun-16, Mon-13). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, and Wilson Creek area. Two (2) cases were found to be residents of another county and were removed from our counts. The number of recovered was also updated to 1322. As a reminder, recovered is counted 28 days after GCHD was notified of positive test results if patient is not hospitalized or deceased. Cases listed as recovered may still be symptomatic and may have long-term health effects from COVID-19. Demographics can be found above.

We are also reporting twenty-one (21) Probable cases of COVID-19 that were reported to us since Friday. The category of “Probable” was added back to our web table today, but it is being counted differently than it was early in the pandemic. The Probables listed on our website now are those people who received a positive test result from an antigen test per WA Dept of Health case definition. It does not include symptomatic close contacts, which are also included in the case definition as probable.

Some healthcare providers are switching to antigen testing. Antigen tests have a much faster turnaround time (less than 24 hours) and cost less to perform. An antigen test is not the same as an antibody (serology) test or an RT-PCR test. An antigen test looks for the specific protein on the outside of the COVID-19 virus whereas a PCR test looks for virus’s specific genetic material. Antigen tests have a specificity of 99-100% making a very low false positive rate. They do have a higher false negative rate than a PCR test so it is recommended that close contacts or symptomatic people who get a negative, follow up with a PCR test.

August 28, 2020 – 5:00pm

Today were reporting seventy-six (76) confirmed cases of COVID-19 since our last update. Forty-six (46) cases were reported to GCHD today and an additional thirty (30) were reported yesterday after the evening update. One case was found to be a resident of another county and was removed from our counts. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.
Sadly, Grant County Health District is reporting the 14th and 15th deaths associated with severe complications due to COVID-19 in Grant County residents. The residents were a male Moses Lake resident in his 40s who died in his home and a male Quincy resident in his 80s who died while hospitalized. Both residents had underlying conditions putting them at higher risk for severe complications of COVID-19. These deaths bring the total Grant County COVID-19-related deaths to fifteen (15).

Grant County Health District recognizes each death associated with COVID-19 impacts families, friends, and communities. We would like to express our sincere condolences and on behalf of our staff, Grant County Health Officer, and Board of Health, we are so sorry for your loss.

The risk of complications from COVID-19 can be life threatening in a short period of time. For those of you at home recovering from COVID-19, please contact your healthcare provider or seek medical care if your symptoms become more severe.

For the health of your community, family, neighbors, and friends, it is critical to wear a face covering and limit the size of your gatherings. Each personal decision we make to socialize outside of our households may impact our most vulnerable residents. Please mask up and protect one another. Our community, schools, and businesses are relying on you to help slow the spread of the virus.

Grant County Health District is delaying the announcement of COVID-19 associated deaths in order to give families time to notify their loved ones. We also verify COVID-19 is listed as a cause of death on the death certificate to ensure we are not reporting deaths that are not attributed to COVID-19. All reported deaths of Grant County residents are attributed to COVID-19 and were verified with the death certificate, testing, and other case information.

Everyone can do their part to stop the spread of this disease:

Stay home as much as possible,
Wear a face covering whenever going into public,
Use physical distancing of 6 feet whenever you are around others outside your household, and
Wash your hands often.

August 27, 2020 – 5:00pm

Nineteen (19) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD since our last update. Cases are residents of Moses Lake, Quincy, Royal City, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

Our weekly snapshot reflects the downward trend of cases overall in Grant County. There was a decrease of 55 cases per 100 residents per 14 days since last week’s update. While this is promising, we still have a long ways to get to the goals of 75 and 25 cases per 14 days. Now isn’t the time to get more relaxed with masking and physical distancing, or to increase the size of your gatherings. One person infected with COVID-19 can quickly spread the virus to 2-3 other people if precautions aren’t used which would increase our rates. If we want to keep this trend going, we all have to do our part to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.

August 26, 2020 – 5:00pm

Thirty-seven (37) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD since our last update. Cases are residents of Mattawa, Moses Lake, Quincy, Royal City, and Warden. Two additional Grant County residents were also hospitalized bringing the total of currently hospitalized up to 21. One case was found to be a resident of another county and was removed from our counts. Demographics can be seen above.

The Washington State Department of Health’s and GCHD’s guidance around testing has not changed: if you have symptoms, you need to get tested. If you’re a close contact of a confirmed case, you need to get tested. Close contacts of confirmed cases also need to stay at home away from others (quarantine) for 14 days after the last exposure even if they test negative for COVID-19, because it is possible for people who test negative to still be incubating the virus, and become contagious later. More information can be seen on the WA DOH Media release: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Newsroom/Articles/ID/1350/COVID-19-testing-still-advised-for-people-with-symptoms-and-close-contacts-of-confirmed-cases

August 25, 2020 – 5:00pm

Nine (9) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, and Quincy. There is also one additional death under review. Demographics can be found above.

The good news is we are seeing a decrease in the rate of cases over the last 14 days! There is still quite a ways to go to reach the 75 cases per 14 days for hybrid in-person learning at schools to be recommended or the 25 cases per 14 days for everyone to return to in-person learning and get more businesses open at fuller capacity. Let’s build off this momentum by:

Always wearing a face covering in public, at work, and anytime you are with people outside your household.
Use physical distancing as much as possible and keep 6 feet of distance between yourself and others.
Stay home if you feel sick! Also, stay home if you have been told to isolate or quarantine by your healthcare provider or GCHD.
Wash your hands.

We can all do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Grant County!

August 24, 2020 – 5:00pm

Seventy-four (74) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD since our last update (Sat-29, Sun-18, Mon-27). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, and Warden. We have also updated our recovered number to 1147. As a reminder, recovered are counted 28 days after GCHD was notified of positive test results if patient is not hospitalized or deceased. Cases listed as recovered may still be symptomatic and may have long-term health effects from COVID-19. Demographics can be seen above.

August 21, 2020 – 5:00pm

Seventy-eight (78) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy, Royal City, and Warden. Test turnaround time averaged 3 days with a range of 1-6 days and a median of 4 days. One (1) additional resident is hospitalized for a total of 19 currently hospitalized and we are waiting for death certificate review on one additional resident. Demographics can be seen above.

Due to the amount of new cases today, we were not able to update the graphs on exposure setting, employment sector, or clinical status. We will try to have those available early next week.

August 20, 2020 – 5:00pm

Twenty-eight (28) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD since our last update. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa, Moses Lake, Quincy, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

The weekly Grant County COVID-19 Snapshot shows the upwards trend in cases we have seen over the last few weeks. Additionally, the number of people hospitalized has also increased over the last week. Please join us in helping to protect our communities and lowering the rate of COVID-19 in Grant County. Wear a face covering anytime you are in public. Keep 6 feet of distance between yourself and others. Limit your gatherings to no more than 5 people and wear a face covering when you do gather together. Stay home if you feel sick or are under quarantine or isolation orders. The tools to limit the spread of this illness are known and can be used for the benefit of our friends and family if we all pull together and do our part.

August 19, 2020 – 5:00 pm

Forty-five (45) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD since the last update. Two cases were found to be residents of other counties and were removed from our counts. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, and Warden. Demographics can be found above.

Below are graphs showing total cases of COVID-19 in Grant County residents by age and sex at birth. These are a cumulative count of cases since March, the beginning of the pandemic in Grant County.

August 18, 2020 – 5:00pm

Thirty (30) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD since the last update. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy, and Royal City. There is also 1 additional person hospitalized for a total of 18 Grant County residents currently hospitalized. Demographics can be seen on our Updates Page: http://granthealth.org/updates-for-covid-19-in-grant-county/
The incidence rate of cases per 100,000 residents over the last 14 days is now 551. This is a rate increase of 110 over the last week. Over the last 14 days we have seen not only cases increasing, but also hospitalizations. This is a sad trend that we hope will shift. We can all do our part to limit the spread of COVID-19:

Wear a face covering anytime you are around people outside your household.
Limit your gatherings to no more than 5 people outside your household.
Use physical distancing of 6 feet between yourself and others whenever possible.
Stay home if you feel sick.
Wash your hands using soap and water.
Follow Isolation and Quarantine Orders issued by GCHD.

August 17, 2020 – 5:00pm

One-hundred and forty-seven (147) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD since our last update (Fri-4, Sat-62, Sun-56, Mon-25). Thirty-eight (38) cases are linked to 2 employers, one in Mattawa and one in Quincy. Sadly, this is a new weekend record. Test turnaround time averaged 2 days with a median of 2 days and a range of 1-7 days. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, and Soap Lake. Demographics can be found above.

What do seat belts, helmets, and face coverings have in common? They only work if you wear them! While we have seen an increase in people wearing face coverings at the grocery stores and inside some other businesses, there are still a lot of exposure settings where face coverings are worn less often like social gatherings and in workplaces. Face coverings also only work if they are worn correctly: covering both your nose and mouth. Like seat belts need to be worn every time you ride in a car, face coverings should be worn every time:

You go to work!
You go to the store!
You hang out with friends or family!
You go to religious services!
You attend weddings or funerals!
You are around people outside your own household!

August 14, 2020 – 5:00 pm

Fifty-two (52) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. Cases are residents of the Grand Coulee area, Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy and Warden. Two additional Grant County residents have been hospitalized.

Today we are also reporting an additional 117 recovered cases, for a total of 805.

August 13, 2020 – 5pm

Sixty-two (62) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD since our last update yesterday afternoon. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa, Moses Lake, Quincy, Royal City and Warden. Two additional Grant County residents have been hospitalized.

We appreciate your patience as we work through these investigations. We hope to have our weekly “snapshot” and exposure settings available soon. Please, if you have been exposed or identified as a contact of someone with COVID-19, follow your quarantine instructions; do not go out in public or have visitors in your home until 14 days have passed. If you are sick and/or have been tested for COVID-19, you must isolate from all others for at least 10 days starting with the first day of your symptoms (must also have a full 24 hours fever-free and all other symptoms improved). This is imperative in preventing the spread of this virus.

August 12, 2020 – 5pm

Twenty-seven (27) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Warden and Royal City. Demographics can be found above.

Today, GCHD is confirming the death of a Warden man in his 40s who passed away in his home due to COVID-19 complications. Please join us in sending prayers and condolences to the family of this loved father and husband. This brings Grant County’s deaths to 13. We also received reports of additional hospitalizations and transfers for higher level of care. Our thoughts are with these families as well.

Early today business leaders, elected officials and GCHD’s Administrator met with the Governor’s Office to discuss the continued surge of cases in Grant County. This group of leaders discussed how we as a resilient community can reduce the spread of COVID to prevent further closing of businesses, schools, and our economy. GCHD would like to thank our elected officials, business leaders, and city leaders for your dedication to reducing the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.

The full guidance document can be found here.

August 11, 2020 – 5pm

Eighteen (18) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, and Royal City. Demographics can be found above. There were also two additional hospitalized patients reported.

The Health Officers for Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Okanogan, and Kittitas counties, released the, “Region 7 K-12 Guidance for Reopening to Classroom Instruction”. This document outlines the expectations of the Health Officers for in-person instruction. Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases the Health Officers agree that, until the COVID incidence rate decreases, in-person instruction is not safe or recommended in North Central Washington.

The full guidance document can be found here.

August 10, 2020 – 5:00pm

One hundred nine (109) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD since our last update Friday afternoon (Fri-3, Sat-36, Sun-30, Mon-40). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

There was also one additional hospitalized patient identified (13 total).

August 7, 2020 – 5:00pm

Thirty-six (36) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. Cases are residents of Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake and Warden. Two (2) previously reported cases were found to residents of other counties and were removed from our counts. Demographics can be found above.

Grant County Health District is reporting the 12th COVID-19 associated death of a Grant County resident. The Long-Term Care resident was a male in his 80s from Moses Lake, who was hospitalized at the time of his death. The resident had underlying conditions that put him at a higher risk for severe complications of COVID-19. This death brings the total Grant County COVID-19-related deaths to twelfth (12). “In the course of two weeks, GCHD has reported the deaths of 4 COVID-19 positive patients who died due to complications of the virus,” states Theresa Adkinson, Administrator.

Grant County Health District would like to express our sincere condolences to his family and the facility that loved and cared for him. On behalf of our staff, Grant County Health Officer, and Board of Health, we are so sorry for your loss.

“We are saddened by the loss of another member of our community to COVID-19. On behalf of the team at Samaritan, we would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to patient’s family and loved ones.”

GCHD’s regional epidemiologist created tables with the most current information to demonstrate how the increase in number of cases and rate of transmission in Grant County. Please see the full media release for the tables: http://granthealth.org/2020-media-releases/

For the health of your community, family, neighbors, and friends, it is now more critical than before to wear a face covering. Limit the size of your gatherings, each personal decision we make to socialize outside of our households may impact our most vulnerable residents. Please mask up and protect one another.

Stay home as much as possible,
Wear a face covering whenever going into public,
Use physical distancing of 6 feet whenever you are around others outside your household, and
Wash your hands often.

August 6, 2020 – 5:00pm

Fifty-eight (58) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, rural Othello, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, Warden, and Wilson Creek area. Test dates ranged from 7/23/2020 to 8/5/2020 with an average test turnaround time of 4 days (median 3 days, range 1-12 days). Demographics can be seen above.

As of yesterday Grant County saw an increase of 182 cases in the last week and our incidence rate per 100,000 residents jumped to 387. This is not a trend we want to see continue. Cases are not limited to one community, employment sector, or ethnic group. To reduce community spread we must all do our part. We have to wear a face covering anytime we are not alone with our own households including at work and during social gatherings. We need to stay more than 6 feet away from those around us as much as possible. We need to wash our hands frequently. We need to limit our gathering to no more than 5 people outside our households per week or even better, get together remotely until cases are less frequent. We need to stay home if we feel sick. We need to follow orders for isolation and quarantine to prevent spreading the virus even before we know we have it. We are responsible for our choices and we can work to make our communities safer and healthier.

August 5, 2020 – 5:00pm

Twenty-nine-(29) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. They are residents of Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, and Warden. Demographics can be found above.

Grant County Health District is reporting the 11th COVID-19 associated death of a Grant County resident. The Adult Family Home resident was a female in her 80s from Moses Lake. The resident had underlying conditions that put her at a higher risk for severe complications of COVID-19. This death brings the total Grant County COVID-19-related deaths to eleven (11). The facility had two staff members test positive but no additional residents. They have done weekly follow up testing and, at this time, have had no additional staff or residents test positive.

Grant County Health District would like to express our sincere condolences to her family and the facility that loved and cared for her. On behalf of our staff, Grant County Health Officer, and Board of Health, we are so sorry for your loss.

Adult family homes are licensed by DSHS and provide a home and care for adults who cannot reside on their own but do not require nursing care. These residents are among our most vulnerable community members. Due to potential vulnerability to COVID-19, adult family home residents have the same restrictions to visitors as long-term care and memory care centers. The challenges to keep COVID-19 away from their residents increases as COVID-19 rates climb. Many of the facilities have residents and staff living together in addition to employing staff who reside elsewhere. For the health of your family, neighbors, and friends, it is now more critical than before to wear a mask. Limit the size of your gatherings, each personal decision we make to socialize outside of our households may impact our most vulnerable residents. Please mask up and protect one another.

Stay home as much as possible,
Wear a face covering whenever going into public,
Use physical distancing of 6 feet whenever you are around others outside your household, and
Wash your hands often.

August 4, 2020 – 5:00pm

Nine (9) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. The cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, Quincy, Royal City, and Warden. Two cases previously reported were found to be residents of another county and one was found to be a duplicate case so they were removed from our counts. Demographics can be found above. Additionally, 1 death certificate was reviewed and COVID-19 was not listed as cause of death so they are not included in the count of deaths.

Our regional Assessment Coordinator put together these graphs showing daily case counts as well as the incidence rate. The incidence rate is based on the number of new cases reported over the previous 14 days per 100,000 residents. Over the last week we have seen this number level off which is good news. To see this number drop, everyone must do their part to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including wearing a face covering anytime their are outside their home, washing their hands, using physical distancing, and staying home if they feel sick or have been given isolation or quarantine orders.

August 3, 2020 – 5:00pm

Ninety-five (95) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD since our last update (Fri-2, Sat-37, Sun-18, Mon-38). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Grand Coulee area, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Rural Othello, Quincy, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

There are also 3 deaths pending death certificate review. We also updated the number of recovered to 688. “Recovered” are counted 28 days after GCHD was notified of positive test results if patient is not hospitalized or deceased. Cases listed as recovered may still be symptomatic and may have long-term health effects from COVID-19. Numbers are updated once a week.

July 31, 2020 – 4:30pm

Twenty-five confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy, and Warden. Demographics can be seen above.

Social gatherings and community spread with no known links to confirmed cases continue to drive transmission in Grant County. 80% of cases are symptomatic at the time we interview them. Please wear a face covering whenever you are outside of your home, including visiting with friends and family, running errands, and going to work. Wash your hands when you get home. You can also keep some hand sanitizer with more than 60% alcohol in your purse, backpack, or glove box to use on the go. These are simple things we can do to limit the spread of COVID-19 and keep our communities healthier.

July 30, 2020 – 5:00pm

Twenty-two (22) cases of confirmed COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Rural Othello, Quincy, Royal City, Warden, and Wilson Creek area. Demographics can be found above.

Here is this week’s Grant County COVID-19 Snapshot. The incidence rate per 100,000 residents for the last 14 days is still increasing. This means there were more people diagnosed with COVID-19 over the last 2 weeks than in the previous 2 weeks. The good news is the hospitalization rate for residents is holding steady though we would like to see it dropping. We are still seeing a variety of exposure settings from workplaces to social gatherings to community spread with no known links. Please wear a mask in all public spaces and keep 6 feet of distance between yourself and others. And if you feel sick, please stay home!

July 29, 2020 – 5:00pm

Twenty-four (24) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. Cases are residents of Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, and Royal City. Demographics can be seen above.

We have the tools to slow the spread of COVID-19 and each of us can do our part to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities. Always wear a face covering anytime you are in public or a group of people outside your household. Stay 6 feet away from others as much as possible. Wash your hands often and especially after returning home from work or running errands. If there’s not running water and soap available, use a hand sanitizer with more than 60% alcohol.

July 28, 2020 – 5:00pm

Thirty-two (32) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD. Cases are residents of Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Rural Othello, Quincy area, and Royal City. Average turnaround time of tests reported to us since last Friday was 4 days with a median of 4 days. Demographics can be found above.

Grant County Health District is saddened by the loss of another community member to this challenging virus. Our hearts are with his family and friends. On behalf of our staff, Grant County Health Officer, and Board of Health, we are so sorry for your loss.

Grant County is experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks in two long-term care facilities (LTC) located both are located in Moses Lake. Washington State Department of Health defines an outbreak as two or more non-household cases epidemiologically linked within 14 days in a workplace, congregate living, or institutional setting. The residents at both facilities have been isolated from all other residents and the impacted staff members are on home isolation. Staff are following the GCHD recommendations to protect the staff and the other residents. Additional precautions are being taken to reduce the spread of the virus to other residents or staff.

Columbia Crest Center: has 10 positive staff and 19 positive residents.
Lake Ridge Center: has 3 positive staff and 2 positive residents.
Hospitalized: 0

“Columbia Crest Center would like to thank the GCHD and State of Washington for their assistance during this difficult time,” states Center Executive Director, Jane Stilwell. “We have been proactively testing all residents and staff because this is a complex virus that is hard to detect and can take weeks to present itself. We will continue to test all residents and staff every week to manage the spread of the virus and protect as many patients, residents and staff members as possible.”

All LTCs in Grant County have been preparing for the possibility of COVID-19 cases within their facilities for months. Each LTC has a COVID-19 response and isolation plan and have worked closely with GCHD to develop those plans. GCHD continues to work with these LTCs on testing, isolation, and quarantine. We are all working together to ensure the continued safety of your loved ones. Grant County has seen an increased prevalence of the virus in the general community. Research has shown that nursing homes are often impacted when located in areas of general community spread. Grant County will continue to work with local nursing homes impacted by this complex virus.

Grant County LTC facilities are actively:

Monitoring residents and staff for COVID-19 symptoms.
Testing all residents and staff weekly.
In frequent communication with Grant County Health District, and often times daily when positive residents or staff are identified through the frequent testing.
Implementing frequent cleaning, disinfection, and hygiene policies.
Enforcing visitor restrictions and assisting families to connect with their loved ones in other ways.
Utilizing readmitting or admitting new residents policies to assure their return or move to the facility is safe for the remaining staff and residents.
Utilizing Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). PPE is one of the most important prevention tools. Staff are always required to be masked. Masking requirements for residents are utilized as much as possible, when masking is challenging for the resident, then other projections such as room isolation are utilized. COVID rooms or wings are also implemented when more than one case is within the facility.

COVID-19 is a very contagious virus, GCHD interview investigations have discovered community transmission associated with residents who have left the facilities for appointments or for those still capable to go to the store on their own. Caregiving staff who had no symptoms may unknowingly spread the virus to the residents and coworkers. The facilities are committed to staff training on disease transmission and wearing PPE appropriately at all times, frequent handwashing, and whenever possible adherence to social distancing between staff as well as staff to residents.

Long-term care facilities serve our most vulnerable populations whose age and health conditions put them at a higher risk for severe complications due to COVID-19 and death. We all need to be vigilant about protecting these community members, especially those who work with or come into contact daily with those who are the most vulnerable. For the health of your family, neighbors, and friends, it is now more critical than before to wear a mask when in public. Limit the size of your gatherings, each personal decision we make to socialize outside of our households may impact our most vulnerable residents. Please mask up when out in public and protect one another.

July 27, 2020

Today we are reporting an additional 67 confirmed cases of COVID-19 that were reported to GCHD since the last update (Fri-1, Sat-21, Sun-28, Mon-17). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City and Warden. Demographics can be found above.

On Friday Secretary of Health John Wiesman updated the Statewide Face Covering Order to include anytime you leave your home, mobile home, apartment, condominium, hotel or motel room or other dwelling units such as dorm rooms, adult family home, other long term care facilities, and sororities. If you are leaving your living space, even temporary living spaces, you should be wearing a face covering to protect those around you! The full Order can be seen here: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/Secretary_of_Health_Order_20-03_Statewide_Face_Coverings.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

July 24, 2020 – 5 pm

Thirty-three (33) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Grand Coulee, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be found above.

Here is Grant County’s COVID-19 Snapshot through 7/22/20.

July 23, 2020 – 4:30pm

Twenty-four (24) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. One case previously reported was found to be a resident of another county and was removed from our counts. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be found above.

Grant County Health District is also reporting the 9th COVID-19 associated death in a Grant County resident. The resident was a male in his 60s from Ephrata. The resident had underlying conditions that put him at a higher risk for severe complications of COVID-19. This death brings the total Grant County COVID-19-related deaths to nine (9).

Grant County Health District is saddened by the loss of another community member. Our hearts are with his family and friends. On behalf of our staff, Grant County Health Officer, and Board of Health, we are so sorry for your loss.

Our most vulnerable community members — elderly, immunocompromised, and those with chronic conditions — are especially at risk and we must continue to take measures to protect them from this disease. This is especially true for those who work with or come into contact daily with those who are at higher risk for severe complications due to COVID-19. For the health of your family, neighbors, and friends, it is now more critical than before to wear a mask when in public. Limit the size of your gatherings, each personal decision we make to socialize outside of our households may impact our most vulnerable residents. Please mask up when out in public and protect one another.

Everyone can do their part to stop the spread of this disease:

Stay home as much as possible,
Wear a face covering whenever going into public,
Use physical distancing of 6 feet whenever you are around others outside your household, and
Wash your hands often.

July 22, 2020 – 5:00pm

Twelve (12) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. One case was found to be a resident of another county and was removed from our count. Cases are residents of Moses Lake and Quincy. Test turnaround times of these cases averaged 4 days. Demographics can be seen above.

Please wear a face covering anytime you are in public. Help keep those in your community healthy, especially the most vulnerable. It’s a simple thing we can do to show others we care.

July 21, 2020 – 5:00pm

Twenty (20) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD. Cases are residents of Grand Coulee area, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. The average test turnaround time for these cases was 9 days, with a range from 2-14 days and a median of 12 days. Demographics can be found above.

Test turnaround times are taking significantly longer than they have in the past. This is due to the nationwide surge in cases and the limited capacity of labs to run the analysis. COVID-19 is very contagious. It is important to stay home if you have been tested, even if you think your symptoms are just allergies or another respiratory illness. It will take several days before you know if you have COVID-19 and you don’t want to spread illness, especially to vulnerable populations where the risk of severe illness is greatest. Your choices affect the spread of COVID-19. Choose to stay home.

July 20, 2020 – 5:00pm

Today we are reporting 59 confirmed cases of COVID-19 that were reproted to GCHD since last Friday’s update. (Friday evening: 12, Saturday: 15, Sunday: 8, Monday: 24) Cases are residents from nearly every community in Grant County: Ephrata, Grand Coulee area, Mattawa area, Moses Lake, Quincy area, Rural Othello, Royal City, Warden, and Wilson Creek area. Demographics can be seen above.

There is widespread community spread in Grant County. It is not limited to one employer, community, or household. Relatively simple precautions can limit the spread. We have said it many times, but everyone can do something to prevent the spread of COVID-19 including wearing a face covering, using physical distancing, avoiding gatherings of friends and family, washing your hands, and staying home when you don’t feel well. Together we can limit the spread of this virus in our own community!

July 17, 2020 – 5:00pm

Thirty (30) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. Case are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa, Moses Lake, Quincy, Royal City, and Warden. Demographics can be found above.

The graphs for exposure setting, employment sector, and clinical status have been updated. Only 15% of people tested have been asymptomatic. The majority of cases within Grant County are symptomatic. Social gatherings are continuing to be the exposure setting of many cases. It’s summer and the weather is great so we understand the desire to get together with friends and family, but now isn’t the time for it. People can share the virus with others 2 days before they feel sick meaning you could be sick and not know it. Attending a family BBQ or birthday party could mean you easily spread the illness to those you care about. Our choices matter. Choose not to get together.

July 16, 2020 – 5:00pm

Twenty-six (26) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, Quincy, Royal City, and Warden. Demographics can be found on above.

Here is this week’s Grant County COVID-19 Snapshot. The good news is our hospitalizations were down over the last week. However, cases are still rising and we still have community spread. The rate per 100,000 residents increased significantly. Please wear a face covering any time you are in public, use physical distancing, and limit the size of your group to no more than 5 people outside your household if you do have to gather. Your actions and choices impact the health of those around you, including your friends and family. Choose to protect them.

July 15, 2020 – 6:00pm

Thirteen (13) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. New cases are residents of Moses Lake, Quincy, Royal City, and Ephrata. Demographics can be found on above.

Today we would like to share with you a recent report on the effectiveness of face coverings in salons. This CDC report demonstrates that two hair stylists worked while contagious with COVID-19 and fortunately they and their customers all wore face coverings. Out of the 139 clients who spent more than 15 minutes with the stylists, ZERO clients tested positive for COVID-19. Read the CDC report for yourself by visiting: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6928e2.htm

July 14, 2020 – 5:00pm

Five (5) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. One previously reported case was found to be a resident of another county so they were removed from our counts. New cases are residents of Mattawa, Moses Lake, Quincy, Royal City, and Warden. Demographics can be found on above.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has published a new death data report that includes different categories of COVID-19 deaths. Among those who have tested positive for COVID-19, these categories include confirmed due to COVID-19, suspected of being due to COVID-19, non-COVID-19 deaths and deaths pending or missing cause of death. All of the deaths of Grant County residents fall under “confirmed due to COVID-19”. More information and the full report can be found on the DOH website: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Newsroom/Articles/ID/1289/Washington-State-Department-of-Health-publishes-detailed-COVID-19-preliminary-death-data-report

July 13, 2020 – 5:00pm

Today we are reporting an additional 89 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since last Friday (Sat=16, Sun=57, Mon=16). Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa, Moses Lake, Quincy, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be found above.

Additionally we are sad to report the 8th COVID-19 associated death of a Grant County resident. The resident was a male in his 50s from Mattawa who died at his home. The investigation determined no workplace exposure and the infection was likely acquired in the community.

Grant County Health District grieves the loss of a community member. Our hearts are with his family and friends. On behalf of our staff, Grant County Health Officer, and Board of Health, we are so sorry for the loss of your father, grandfather, uncle, and friend.

Our most vulnerable community members — elderly, immunocompromised, and those with chronic conditions — are especially at risk and we must continue to take measures to protect them from this disease. For the health of your family, neighbors, and friends, it is now more critical than before to wear a mask when in public. Limit the size of your gatherings, each personal decision we make to socialize outside of our households may impact our most vulnerable residents. Please mask up when out in public and protect one another.

Staying home as much as possible,
Physical Distancing of 6 feet whenever you around others outside your household,
Wearing a face covering whenever going into public, and
Washing your hands often.

July 10, 2020 – 5:00pm

Fifteen (15) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa, Moses Lake, and Quincy. Demographics can be found above.

Due to the surge in new cases both in Washington and around the nation, test turnaround times are increasing. In some cases we are being told test may take 5-10 days to get back. This is one reason it’s so important to wear a face covering in public. You may have been exposed to COVID-19, but not know it and not know you are contagious. Thanks to our friends at Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department for the reminder that wearing a mask correctly is important. If you go out in public this weekend, remember to wear your face covering so it covers both your nose and mouth. A cloth face covering traps your droplets that could be carrying COVID-19 so your mask protects those around you and their mask protects you. MASK UP!

July 9, 2020 – 5:00pm

Twenty-eight (28) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. Two previously reported cases were residents of other counties and were removed from our counts. Additionally, Grant County Health District is reporting the 7th COVID-19 associated death in a Grant County resident. The resident was a male in his 70s from Moses Lake. GCHD is verifying all death certificates prior to counting the deaths in our counts. All reported deaths of Grant County residents are attributed to COVID-19 and were verified with the death certificate, testing, and other case information.

Each resident that passes, results in a moment of pause for the GCHD staff. We respect and value the life that has been lost and our thoughts are with his family and friends. On behalf of our staff, Grant County Health Officer, and Board of Health, we are so sorry for the loss.

Our most vulnerable community members — elderly, immunocompromised, and those with chronic conditions — are especially at risk and we must continue to take measures to protect them from this disease. For the health of your family, neighbors, and friends, it is now more critical than before to wear a mask when in public. Limit the size of your gatherings, each personal decision we make to socialize outside of our households may impact our most vulnerable residents. Please mask up when out in public and protect one another.

July 8, 2020 – 4:00pm

Thirty (30) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. Four (4) cases reported earlier this week were found to be residents from another county and were removed from our counts. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa, Moses Lake, Quincy, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. Demographics can be found above.

We have updated our graph of clinical status at the time of our interview with cases. More than 80% of people tested are symptomatic. It is important to stay home if you feel sick, even if the symptoms are mild, and call your doctor to see about being tested. Asymptomatic people and people with mild symptoms can spread COVID-19. If you have a cough or shortness of breath you may need to be tested for COVID-19. If you have any two of the following symptoms, you should also call your doctor to see if can be tested: fever or feeling feverish, chills, sore throat, muscle ache, headache, or a new loss of taste or smell.

July 7, 2020 – 5:00pm

Fifteen confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. Cases are residents of Mattawa, Moses Lake, Quincy, Royal City, and Soap Lake. During our investigations, three (3) cases reported this week were found to be residents of another county and were removed from our counts. Demographics can be found above.

We have added a count for “Recovered” cases to our Tables. We are not able to check in with previously diagnosed cases as we were able to do in the past. The number of “recovered” is based on 28 days past when the case was reported to us if the person is not hospitalized or deceased. Cases listed as recovered may still be symptomatic and may have long-term health effects from COVID-19. Numbers are updated once a week.

July 6, 2020 – 5:00pm

Since last Friday 79 confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD. Daily totals were 19 Saturday, 29 Sunday, and 31 today. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa, Moses Lake, Quincy, Royal City, and Warden. Test turnaround time averaged 3 days with a range from 1-6 days. Two (2) cases reported last week were residents of another county so were removed from our counts. Demographics can be found above.

We can all do something to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. Please stay home if you feel sick, wear a mask in public, and practice physical distancing whenever you are with people outside your household.

July 3, 2020 – 4:30pm

Twelve (12) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa, Moses Lake, Quincy, and Royal City. One sex at birth is unknown at the time of this update.. Demographics can be found above.

This weekend party like it’s 2020! Just because gatherings are allowed up to 5 people doesn’t necessarily mean they’re a good idea. If you do choose to get together:

Stay home if you feel sick!
Use physical distancing and stay 6 feet apart from others!
Don’t share food or drinks!
Wear a face covering!

Read more on the DOH Blog: https://medium.com/wadepthealth/party-like-its-2020-36e47e12be18

July 2, 2020 – 5:00pm

Thirteen (13) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Grand Coulee Area, Mattawa, Moses Lake, Quincy, Royal City, and Soap Lake. Demographics are available on our Updates Page: http://granthealth.org/updates-for-covid-19-in-grant-county/

Over the last 2 weeks we have seen a wide range of exposure settings: social gatherings like BBQs and birthday parties, same employers, household contacts, and no known links to other cases. It is important we all do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. Below is a snapshot of disease activity in Grant County from June 17 – July 1. This snapshot will be updated each Thursday. The goals listed are from the Safe Start Plan. They are only some of the metrics that are used to determine when Grant County can apply to go to Phase 3. More information can be seen here: https://coronavirus.wa.gov/what-you-need-know/covid-19-risk-assessment-dashboard

July 1, 2020 – 5:00pm

Ten (10) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa, Quincy, Royal City, and Warden. Test turn around time was 1-2 days. Demographics can be seen above.

Please remember to wear a face covering anytime you are in public, inside or outside, when you can’t maintain 6 feet of distance between yourself and others. It’s a simple thing we can do to protect those in our community and show we care. Slowing the spread of COVID-19 takes everyone doing their part.

June 30, 2020 – 5:00pm

Three (3) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. The cases are residents of Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. There were also 2 cases that were discovered to not be residents of our county so our cumulative case count will only go up by 1 case. Demographics can be seen above.

The Employment Sector for Grant County people diagnosed with COVID-19 has been updated. Additionally, we were able to pull together data for symptomatic vs asymptomatic cases in Grant County (n=569). The majority of those who reported being asymptomatic during our interviews were ages 0-18 (28%) or a result of mass testing events (36%). If someone is tested early in their illness, some people who report being asymptomatic at the time of the interview will later develop symptoms. This is known as pre-symptomatic. It’s also important to note that asymptomatic people can still spread the virus to others. This is why it is important to always wear a face covering in public, use physical distancing of 6 feet whenever possible, and wash your hands with soap and water, especially before putting on a face covering and when returning home.

June 29, 2020 – 5:00pm

Today we are reporting an additional 33 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported to us since last Friday. Twelve (12) were reported Saturday, 10 Sunday, and 11 today. The people diagnosed with COVD-19 are residents of Ephrata, Grand Coulee, Mattawa, Moses Lake, Quincy, and Royal City. There are also 4 additional people hospitalized for a total of 14 Grant County residents currently hospitalized. The average age of hospitalization is 60 with a median of age of 57. Demographics can be viewed above.

Although there is a lag time in data, information on testing, epidemiologic curves, and demographics, both statewide and for Grant County is available on the WA Dept. of Health Data Dashboard: https://www.doh.wa.gov/…/NovelCoronavirusOutb…/DataDashboard

Also more information can be found on the WA COVID-19 Risk Assessment Dashboard: https://coronavirus.wa.gov/what-you-need-know/covid-19-risk-assessment-dashboard

June 26, 2020 – 6:00pm

Fifteen (15) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. Two cases reported yesterday were transferred to their county of residents. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa, Moses Lake, Othello (Grant Co.), Quincy, Royal City and Warden. Demographics can be found above (4 gender and 2 ages were not available by this update).

Ten Reasons to Wear a Face Covering When out in Public

10. So the kids can go back to school. The best way to keep the kids safe at school is to make sure the level of COVID-19 in your community is very low. Wear a mask to make sure your community can keep your kids healthy at school.

9. So small businesses can open and stay open. The quickest way to open our economy is to control the virus. As more of our counties move to Phase 2 and 3, and more people are out and about, we need to make sure we keep the virus from spreading. Wear a cloth face covering to protect our businesses.

8. To be a leader in the community. Set a great example for others in your community. Take care of others and show them how it’s done.

7. Because it’s rude to make other people sick. You wouldn’t cough on someone or sneeze in their face. Now we have a new germ that can be spread to others when we talk or sing or breathe. Cover your face to keep your germs to yourself!

6. To show essential workers how much we appreciate them. Our essential workers have taken the risk to continue to go to work to keep us fed and to keep the services we all rely on running. Thank them by protecting their health by covering your face.

5. To express yourself. Make other people smile behind their masks! Some masks have slogans and other messages printed on them. Use your mask to express your freedom of speech and promote what you care about. Or, write your name on it—keep people from wondering who you are.

4. To leave the house. You know, at all. To go get your haircut. To see your friends and family.

3. To support your cause. Many non-profits are selling masks to raise money for a charity, and some will even match your mask purchase by donating masks to people who need them. Support your local school, human rights, environmental protection, access to health care, or any number of causes you support on your mask.

2. To save money on lipstick. Or cover a pimple. Or maybe because I haven’t had my upper lip waxed in months. Whatever. I have my reasons.

1. It literally saves lives. Fewer people will die if we all wear our masks. Who doesn’t want to be a part of that?

June 25, 2020 – 5:00pm

Seventeen (17) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa, Moses Lake, and Quincy. Demographics can be found above (2 ages were not available by this update).

Beginning tomorrow, per Secretary of Health Order, everyone must wear a face covering in public, indoors and outdoors, whenever 6 feet separation cannot be maintained. This is act of compassion and care for those around you. It helps protect everyone, especially our most vulnerable populations. The Order can be viewed on our website: http://granthealth.org/resources-for-covid-19/

June 25, 2020 – 12:30pm

COVID-19 spreads mainly person-to-person through respiratory droplets produced when someone talks, coughs, or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths and noses of people nearby which spreads the virus. Cloth face coverings help prevent the person wearing the mask from spreading droplets to those around them. If everyone wears a face covering when out in public, it lowers the risk of spreading COVID-19 in the community and in work places. It’s possible to spread the virus before you have any symptoms and some people never develop symptoms, so wearing a face covering protects those around you. The journal article associated with this video, “Visualizing Speech-Generated Oral Fluid Droplets with Laser Light Scattering” from the New England Journal of Medicine can be seen here: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2007800

June 24, 2020 – 5:00pm

Thirty-five (35) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD. We are also sad to announce death bringing the total to 6 and an additional 2 people are hospitalized. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa, Moses Lake, Othello Rural, Quincy, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. One case’s age is still under investigation, but all other demographics can be seen above.

Help us knock down COVID-19 in Grant County. We can’t control the disease on our own. We need you, our community, to help keep Grant County businesses open and get to Phase 3. We need you to help protect our vulnerable populations like the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. We need you to help keep our hospitals able to care for us when we need it. We need you to help slow the spread of disease. The tools to slow the spread are known: wear a mask, use physical distancing, wash your hands, and stay home if you’re sick. Whether we like it or not, we are still in this together and only together will we be able to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Ayúdenos a derribar el COVID-19 en el Condado de Grant. No podemos controlar la propagación del virus por nuestra cuenta. Los necesitamos a ustedes, nuestra comunidad, para ayudar a mantener abiertos los negocios del Condado de Grant y llegar a la Fase 3. Necesitamos que ayude a proteger a nuestras poblaciones vulnerables, como los ancianos y las personas con problemas de salud subyacentes. Necesitamos que nos ayude a que nuestros hospitales puedan cuidarnos cuando lo necesitemos. Necesitamos que nos ayude a detener la propagación de la enfermedad. Se conocen las herramientas para frenar la propagación: use una máscara, use distanciamiento físico, lávese las manos y quédese en casa si está enfermo. Nos guste o no, todavía estamos juntos en esto y solo juntos podremos frenar la propagación de COVID-19.

June 23, 2020 – 5:00pm

Eleven (11) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. The cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa, Moses Lake, Quincy, and Royal City. Test turnaround time averaged 1 day. Full demographics can be seen above.

Today Secretary of Health John Wiesman and Governor Inslee announced that beginning Friday, June 26, face coverings will be mandatory in public, indoors and outdoors, when it’s not possible to maintain 6 feet of physical distance from others. A face covering protects those around you from illness you may not know you have. People with COVID-19 can be contagious before they start showing symptoms or they may remain asymptomatic, but still be able to get others sick. A face covering helps keep droplets from your nose and mouth to yourself. Wearing a face covering is a way to protect those around you, especially those most vulnerable. It’s an act of care! For more information on masks, please see our Resources Page: http://granthealth.org/resources-for-covid-19/

June 22, 2020 – 5:00pm

Today we are reporting an additional 63 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Grant County that were reported to GCHD since Friday. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa, Moses Lake, Quincy, Royal City, and Soap Lake. Exposure settings are still under investigation for many cases but include same employer, social gatherings, close contact of confirmed case, and no known links to a confirmed case. Full demographics can be seen above.

On Friday the WA Department of Health released a new COVID-19 data tied to occupation, industry. It’s important to note that while the risk for contracting COVID-19 may be higher for people depending on their industry or occupation, this report reflects where people work, not where or how they were infected. It can be difficult to determine with certainty where and how people get infected. The full media release can be seen here: https://www.doh.wa.gov/…/Department-of-Health-releases-new-…

June 19, 2020 – 5:00pm

Eighteen (18) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa, Moses Lake, Quincy, and Royal City. Exposure settings are still under investigation. Test turnaround time averaged 2 days. Full demographics can be found above.

This graph shows the employment sector of 377 Grant County residents diagnosed with COVID-19. More recent cases are still under investigation. This does not represent transmission or exposure setting! Transmission and exposure settings continue to be varied and include social gatherings, same employers, same households, links to a confirmed case, and community spread with no known links to confirmed cases. Everyone should take precautions to protect themselves and those around them: wear a mask in public, physical distancing of 6 feet whenever possible, and frequent handwashing.

June 18, 2020 – 5:00pm

Twenty (20) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. Cases are residents of Mattawa, Moses Lake, Quincy, Soap Lake, and Warden. Test turnaround time was 1-2 days. Sadly, there are also 3 more Grant County residents hospitalized for a current total of 8. Full demographics can be found above.

We get asked a lot about what we are doing to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our county and the answer is, a lot! We work to quickly isolate positive cases and quarantine their close contacts. We try to figure out where cases were exposed to prevent additional cases. We work with all kinds of businesses who want to make their facilities the safest they can for both employees and customers. We try to educate the public on best practices to prevent the spread of disease.

We can’t do this alone though. We need your help to limit illness in your community and protect vulnerable populations. Are you wearing a face covering any time you’re in public? Are you trying to stay 6 feet away from others around you? Are you avoiding group gatherings? If you feel sick, are you staying home? If we have asked you to isolate or quarantine, are you staying home? What are you doing to help us slow the illness in your community and especially to protect the most vulnerable populations?

June 17, 2020 – 4:30pm

Twenty (20) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to Grant County Health District today. The cases are residents of Mattawa, Moses Lake, Othello Rural, and Quincy. Several cases are still under investigation, but currently known exposure settings are same employer, social gathering, household contact, and no known contact with a known case (community spread). We are also reporting that 1 person was discharged from the hospital, but another is hospitalized, so the number of hospitalized residents remains at 5. Full demographics can be seen above.

It’s important to recognize that even though we have clusters of cases within Grant County, like with an employer or a social gathering, the first case is often a result of community exposure meaning we can’t link them to a confirmed case. That is why it is so crucial that everyone use precautions to protect themselves and those around them from COVID-19. People can be contagious before developing any symptoms and prior to getting sick the positive cases in Grant County did all the normal things anyone does when they are healthy: go to work, go to grocery stores, go to home improvement stores, hang out with friends and family. Please wear a face covering in public, practice physical distancing of 6 feet, avoid large gatherings, wash your hands. We have the tools we need to limit the spread of COVID-19. We just need to use them!

June 16, 2020 – 4:30pm

Ten (10) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD today. The new cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa, Moses Lake, Quincy, and Soap Lake. We are still working through investigations to summarize exposure settings. Full demographics can be found above.

June 15, 2020 – 5:00pm

Forty-nine (49) confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported to Unified Command since last Friday. Eleven (11) cases were reported to us over the weekend with the other 38 reported today. Due to the volume of new cases we are not able to report negative test results, pending tests, or probable cases at this time. We are also unable to update the ages of all cases reported because many cases are still under investigation. Exposure settings for those we have investigated are social gatherings, same employer, close contacts of confirmed case, a cluster of agricultural workers and several appear to have no known link to confirmed cases. Cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa, Moses Lake, Quincy, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden.

There is community spread within Grant County. Please take all precautions you can to limit the spread of COVID-19. Please avoid large gatherings, including BBQs and parties. Stay 6 feet away from others as much as possible. Wash your hands or use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol frequently. Wear a mask in public per the Health Officer Directive. We must all do our part to protect those around us and limit the spread of COVID-19.

June 12, 2020 – 5:00pm

Today we are reporting an additional eighteen (18) confirmed cases of COVID-19. Eight (8) were reported to Unified Command yesterday after our evening update for a record thirteen (13) cases reported in one day. An additional ten (10) were reported today. The cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa, Moses Lake, and Warden. Exposure settings are household contacts (4), family or social gatherings (3), same employer (4), close contact of confirmed case (2), no known link to a confirmed case likely meaning community spread (4), and 1 is still under investigation.

Additionally, we are sad to report that Grant County Health District was notified on June 11, 2020 of a COVID-19 associated death in a resident on hospice services from Summer Wood Alzheimer’s Special Care Center. The resident was a male in his 80s from Moses Lake. This death brings the total Grant County COVID-19-related deaths to five (5).

Our hearts are with his family and friends. On behalf of Unified Command, our staff, Summer Wood staff, Grant County Health Officer, and Board of Health, we are so sorry for your loss.

“The resident was a valued member of our community and will be greatly missed”, stated Laurie Ahmann at Summer Wood Alzheimer’s Special Care Center. “Our hearts go out to his family and friends.”

Everyone can do their part to stop the spread of this disease:
• Stay home as much as possible,
• Use physical distancing of 6 feet whenever you around others outside your household,
• Wear a face covering whenever going into public, and
• Wash your hands often.

Detailed information on Grant County COVID-19 related statistics can be see at the top of this page.

June 11, 2020 – 4:00pm

Five (5) cases of confirmed COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command today. The cases are residents of Mattawa, Moses Lake, and Royal City. The exposure settings are: household contact, same employer, no links to confirmed cases, and 2 are still under investigation. Full demographics can be found above.

“Pandemics don’t come when they are convenient. In March 1918, when the first cases of pandemic flu were identified, we were fighting World War I. So, they were busy back then too.

During the 1918 flu pandemic, about 500 million people — about a third of the world’s population at the time — got flu. 50 million people died from it. There was no vaccine. There were no good treatments — either for the flu or for the bacterial pneumonia that sometimes followed. The health care systems around the country were totally overwhelmed, and people couldn’t get the care they needed.

There are big differences between that pandemic and this one. For starters, the 1918 flu pandemic was caused by an influenza virus, and COVID-19 is caused by a coronavirus. And the world was a different place then, with much slower travel options, fewer people, but in a lot of places, more crowding.

Still, the 1918 flu pandemic taught us important lessons that resonate still today”: Trusted tools work, Pandemics aren’t fair, and we cannot do this alone. Click here to read more: https://medium.com/wadepthealth/lessons-from-the-1918-flu-pandemic-cc8344872c5d

June 10, 2020 – 4:00pm

Ten (10) cases of confirmed COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command today. Cases are residents of Mattawa, Moses Lake, Othello Rural, Quincy, and Soap Lake. Exposure settings are same employer, family gathering, possible exposure outside the county, and under investigation. Three (3) of the new cases are hospitalized and test turnaround time was 1-2 days. Full demographics can be found above.

Getting the county open to Phase 3 is going to take each of us doing our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It is important to continue using known methods to prevent the spread. Wear a face covering in public to protect those around you from illness you may not know you have. Use physical distancing of 6 feet whenever possible. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if handwashing isn’t available.

June 9, 2020 – 5:00pm

Five (5) confirmed cases were reported to Unified Command today. The cases are residents of Moses Lake and Royal City. Two cases are household contacts of a previously confirmed case, while the other 3 have no known link to a confirmed case. Full demographics can be found above.

As part of Gov. Inslee’s “Safe Start” plan, starting yesterday, all employees are required to wear a cloth face covering, mask, or respirator depending on their type of work. There are some exceptions, including when working alone in certain settings, when a job has no in-person interaction, and for people with a medical condition or disability that makes wearing a face covering inappropriate. Businesses are also encouraged to require customers to wear cloth face coverings in order to protect their employees from exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace. More information can be found at: https://medium.com/wadepthealth/do-i-need-to-795396b7659b

Regional Face Covering Poster (Grant, Chelan-Douglas, and Okanogan Health Jurisdictions): Please Protect One Another (English and Spanish)

June 8, 2020 – 5:00pm

COVID-19 Update 6/8/2020
Since last Friday, 5 confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command. The new cases are residents of Moses Lake and Rural Othello. Test turnaround time was 2-3 days. Exposure settings are household contact of a confirmed case, a family gathering, community exposure (no known link to a confirmed case), and 2 are still under investigation. Full demographics can be found above.

Contact tracing is a trusted tool of public health. It has been used for centuries to limit the spread of disease. Thorough contact tracing was a major contributor to the World Health Organization’s success in eradicating smallpox. We are using the same trusted tools, boosted with new technologies, to control COVID-19. We don’t have a vaccine for COVID-19 yet, so we isolate or quarantine people who might spread the virus to keep it from spreading. Today, you might get a text or call on your cell phone, which makes our response much quicker than in the past. And the more quickly we can isolate or quarantine folks who might be able to spread COVID-19, the more quickly and completely we can stop the disease from spreading. For more information on contact tracing see this blog post from the WA Dept of Health: https://medium.com/wadepthealth/contact-tracing-979bd01dbf11A trusted tool in preventing disease

June 5, 2020 – 5:00pm

COVID-19 Update 6/5/2020
One (1) confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported to Unified Command today. The case is a resident of Moses Lake. Full demographics can be found above.

As a reminder, we will not do daily updates over the weekend. While you are enjoying your weekend, remember we can all do something to help slow the spread of COVID-19! Remember to wear a mask in public anytime you can’t keep 6 feet of distance between yourself and others. Remember to stay home if you feel sick. Remember not to gather in groups larger than 5 outside of your household. It’s each of us doing our part that will help prevent illness in our families, our friends, and our communities.

June 4, 2020 – 5:00pm

One (1) confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported to Unified Command today. They are a resident of Mattawa and test turnaround time was 1 day. Of the reported cases yesterday and today, 2 are close contacts of confirmed cases, 1 is a household contact, and 2 have had no known contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19. Full demographics can be found above.

Last week, Grant County Health Officer, Dr. Brzezny, submitted the following “Letter to the Editor” to regional newspapers and we wanted to share it with you. It can also be found on our website on the updates page.

DIRECTIVE TO USE FACE COVERINGS AIMS TO STOP COVID-19 RESURGENCE (a Letter to the Editor, May 28, 2020)

To the editor:

Last Saturday, Grant County received permission from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) to move to Phase 2 of the Governor’s “Safe Start Washington” plan. In my recommendation to the Grant County Board of Health to apply for that variance, I signaled my intent to direct all county residents and visitors to use face coverings indoor where 6 feet of separation cannot be maintained. The main reason was that in Phase 2 and beyond the contacts between people increase. Yesterday, I issued the face covering directive.

My directive is similar to directives in other Washington counties. It is an extension of my recommendations for covering face in public from February and March. The new directive does not seek to punish anyone. I hope to simply increase the use face coverings indoor when we cannot stay more than 6 feet apart. Wearing a fabric mask or a covering traps our droplets when we speak, cough, or sneeze. This has been shown to keep COVID-19 from spreading if we all do it. Yes, it can be a nuisance. True, it can be annoying. It feels like you are being told what to do, even though many have already followed this advice. Still, the directive is necessary to support our effort of increasing masking in our stores, in farm housing, in food processing plants and in retail overall–all areas of high spread.

Recent developments show that using face coverings is more important than ever. During the last two weeks, the pace of COVID-19 in Grant County has increased: a 14-day period from 5/14 until today showed 19 new cases in various settings. This is a double of what we saw during a two-week period ending on 5/18. The disease has recently grown in Quincy and Mattawa, but now also in Moses Lake. We are dealing with our first daycare outbreak. Even though there were no new deaths or hospitalizations, more cases could lead to it.

Phase 2 variance is good news for Grant County. It was based on having no more than 10 new cases of COVID-19 over a 14-day period, a requirement by the DOH. Supporting that effort are thousands of work hours being invested by your Grant County Health District staff to isolate those who are ill and to quarantine their contacts. All this with increased testing and your cooperation is necessary to keep the virus boxed-in. We are joined in this fight by your hospitals, clinics, law enforcement, elected officials, but also by bands of community volunteers performing simple acts of kindness.

To get to Phase 3, our numbers need to remain low. Increasing the use of face coverings is one of the remaining interventions we have at our disposal when the human-to-human interactions are increasing. We do not need to look very far for what an uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 could look like here. Our friends in Yakima County, with only about 2.5 times more people than Grant, are seeing around 100 cases per day and have already recorded nearly 100 deaths since the beginning of this pandemic.

I ask all of you to think really hard about this: why would not wearing a mask be a good decision right when the counties to the west are seeing a rise in cases?

All of us have sacrificed something to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Many have lost jobs, our kids have suffered, our elders are sheltering in place, and our economy is hit. But especially now is not the time to let up. Physical distancing of more than 6 feet should be integrated into our lives as much as possible in the foreseeable future. Using face coverings and washing our hands seem like a no-brainer. An increasing trend in cases could mean that our “reopening” could be rolled back again.

So please allow me this opportunity to once more ask you and urge you strongly to use face coverings together with physical distancing in Grant County and beyond. Using a face covering shows that we care about each other and about human lives in general–a simple act of citizenry during these trying times. I expect more counties, if not our state, enacting similar directives soon. The way I look at it, we have little to lose by wearing a face covering.

I wish to thank you all for your patience and sacrifice, for your acts of kindness, words of support, and your willful cooperation in this fight as we continue to kick the strength out of this virus together, no matter any disagreements.

Alexander Brzezny, MD, MPH, FAAFP
Grant County Health Officer

June 3, 2020 – 4:30pm

Four (4) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command today. The new cases are residents of Mattawa, Moses Lake, and Quincy. All 4 cases are still being investigated and exposure setting is unknown at this time. Test result turnaround time was 1 day. Full demographics can be found above.

The quickest way to get our County and businesses open — and keep them open — is to control the virus. That looks like all of us wearing cloth face coverings around other people, staying six feet away from others, and washing our hands. Help keep yourself safe. Help keep your community safe. Help slow the spread of COVID-19.

June 2, 2020 – 5:00pm

Three (3) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command today. All 3 are residents of Quincy. Two are household contacts of a confirmed case that was linked to a family gathering and 1 is still under investigation. Test turnaround time was 2-3 days. Full demographics can be found above.

Remember anytime you are in public and can’t keep 6 feet of distance between yourself and others you must wear a face covering to help protect those around you. It’s a simple thing we can do to look out for one another and help keep our communities healthier.

June 2, 2020 – 8:30am

Yesterday The Lancet, weekly peer-reviewed general medical journal, published an article showing masking and physical distancing are effective tools to prevent the spread of coronaviriuses. This analysis of 172 studies about masking and physical distancing provides the best available evidence that 2 meter [6.6 feet] physical distancing reduces infection spread. The authors also showed that wearing face masks (including by the general public) is effective in reducing spread of coronaviruses. The study tells us that combining distancing with masking and eye protection significantly decreases the risk of transmitting COVID-19. #GrantStrong

The full text of the article can be seen here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31142-9/fulltext

June 1, 2020 – 5:00pm

COVID-19 Update 6/1/2020
Fourteen (14) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command since last Friday. Cases are residents of Moses Lake, Quincy, and Warden. Five are associated with an outbreak at Summer Wood Alzheimer’s Special Care Center, 6 are household contacts of previously confirmed cases and 3 are still under investigation so exposure setting is not yet known. Full demographics can be seen on our website: http://granthealth.org/updates-for-covid-19-in-grant-county/

June 1, 2020 – 4:30pm

COVID-19 Outbreak – Summer Wood Alzheimer’s Special Care Center – Grant County is seeing an uptick in COVID-19 Cases

Six people who live or work at Summer Wood Alzheimer’s Special Care Center in Moses Lake have tested positive for COVID-19. One individual is hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported in connection with the outbreak as of Monday afternoon. We anticipate the remainder of the test results within the next few days.

GCHD began investigating on Friday and throughout the weekend after one resident and one staff member working at Summer Wood tested positive after becoming symptomatic. All residents and most of the staff were tested over the weekend. The positive residents and staff members are isolated at the facility or at home. Residents and staff members who were possibly exposed and those with symptoms are quarantined at the facility or home awaiting their test results.

GCHD is also investigating and testing at an additional senior care facility who had one symptomatic staff member test positive and following up with a childcare facility that had two children test positive.

“We are deeply concerned for the residents of our senior care facilities,” said Dr. Alexander Brzezny, Grant County Health Officer. “As we open up our communities, we will see more people with COVID-19. The rapid growth of new cases during the last two weeks is particularly alarming. All of us, including healthcare workers and families serving those most at risk, need to be mindful of our personal activities which increase the risk of transmission. We should continue to place 6 feet between us, wear masks, and wash hands. We need to continue working as a community, just like we did at the beginning, to reduce the risk of severe illness from COVID-19 in our vulnerable residents.”

Forty-seven (47) COVID-19 cases were reported over the past two weeks. With Grant County now in Phase 2 of the Safe Start Washington plan, we must continue to be vigilant when meeting with friends and families outside of our household. We continue to see cases linked to gathering such as BBQs and celebrations. For now, the increase in cases has been in younger populations, which has resulted in fewer hospitalizations. To that end, people over the age of 65 and those with underlying health conditions should continue to stay home and stay healthy to limit their risk. While we are experiencing a surge in cases, we all should be doing everything we can to keep this virus out of our loved one’s homes.

Dr. Brzezny’s statement in a recent editorial:

“All of us have sacrificed something to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Many have lost jobs, our kids have suffered, our elders are sheltering in place, and our economy is hit. But especially now is not the time to let up. Physical distancing of more than 6 feet should be integrated into our lives as much as possible in the foreseeable future. Using face coverings and washing our hands seem like a no-brainer. An increasing trend in cases could mean that our “reopening” could be rolled back again.

May 29, 2020 – 5:00pm

COVID-19 Update 5/29/2020
Seven (7) new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command today. The new cases are residents of Moses Lake and Quincy. Test turnaround time for these results was 1 day. The new cases have a variety of exposure settings: household contacts, Mother’s Day gatherings, and community spread. Due to the increase in cases this week, GCHD staff were not able to follow up with cases to update our number of recovered residents, however, we are happy to say we are down to 1 resident hospitalized as another was discharged.

As a reminder we will not be doing weekend updates on case counts. The next update will be Monday. Full demographics for today can be found above.

Today Governor Inslee announced the expansion of Safe Start — Washington’s Phased Reopening plan. The expansion comes as the current Stay Home, Stay Healthy order ends midnight Sunday. Full details including metrics for moving between Phase 2 and 3 can be found here: https://medium.com/wagovernor/safe-start-washingtons-phased-reopening-1436dfccc908

May 28, 2020 – 5:00pm

Eight (8) new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command today. Test dates were returned in 1-3 days with an average of 2 days. The cases are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake and Mattawa. Six (6)cases are linked to previously known cases where the original case(s) was community acquired and spread through family and social gatherings, 1 is linked to travel outside the county, and 1 is still under investigation. Full demographics can be found above.

When wearing a fabric face covering in public it is important to put it on, wear it, and take it off correctly. You should always put on a mask with clean hands and avoid touching the front. The mask should fit snuggly, covering both your nose and mouth. When taking it off, you should be careful not to touch the front. Cloth face masks can be washed normally with your other laundry and should be washed after each wearing. Because we can spread COVID-19 without knowing we are sick, wearing a mask is a way we can protect those around us.

May 28, 2020 – 10:30am

The Grant County Health Officer Face Covering Directive for Grant County issued May 27, 2020 is now available to view in both English and Spanish: English / Spanish

Dr. Brzezny and GCHD have been strongly recommending face coverings for all residents anytime they went in public since March. The Directive issued yesterday formalized that request to the public. Additionally, Governor Inslee’s requirements for businesses allowed to operate in Phase 1 and 2 state “cloth facial coverings must be worn by every employee not working alone on the jobsite unless their exposure dictates a higher level of protection under Department of Labor & Industries safety and health rules and guidance all employees”. The new Directive widens that requirement to the public as well so we can all do our part.

Cloth facial coverings help protect those around you from illness you may not know you have. This in turn, limits the spread of COVID-19 and sudden surge of cases of COVID-19 which could put the county residents back in Phase 1. We are asking that all residents of Grant County and guests to our county assist our public health efforts to keep the county in Phase 2 and help us get to Phase 3 by wearing a cloth face covering. It is a small thing we can do that could have great impact to help our county and look out for the health and safety of those around us and their family and friends.

May 27, 2020 – 5:00pm

COVID-19 Update 5/27/2020

Two (2) new cases of COVID-19 were reported to Grant County today. Both are residents of Moses Lake. Full demographics can be found above.

May 27, 2020 – 5:00pm

HEALTH OFFICER DIRECTIVE FOR FACE COVERING FOR GRANT COUNTY, WA

After much consideration, research, and consultation, Grant County Health Officer, Dr. Alexander Brzezny is issuing a Health Officer Directive mandating the use of face coverings in some public settings. This is one easy effort to assist with reducing the spread of COVID-19 as the County opens up to more public interactions in Phase 2 of the Safe Start Washington plan. “A sudden surge of cases of COVID-19 in Grant County could put the county residents back in Phase 1. I am urging and asking all Grant County residents and guests to assist our public health efforts to keep the county in Phase 2 and plan for Phase 3,” urges Health Officer Dr. Alexander Brzezny.

There is rising evidence that face coverings reduces the spread of the virus in settings outside of the home, such as settings where it is not possible to maintain 6 feet distance between yourself and others. Investigations of people diagnosed with COVID-19 are demonstrating that 50% patients have few to no symptoms. These “super spreaders” are not aware that they have the virus and are passing it along to others. A simple face covering on their face has the power to save lives of people they care about and people in their community. “Wearing a mask is not about protecting yourself it is about protecting those around you. It truly is about everyone else and is selfless act of kindness,” states Theresa Adkinson, Grant County Health District Administrator.

GCHD staff understand it’s not fun, it can even feel awkward to live with the new normal of wearing a mask when you’re going to the store, getting your hair cut, or going to church again! However, this will help get the county to the next Phase and return to our lives just a bit more.

The Health Officer Directive applies to any indoor or confined public setting where a person will be within six feet of another individual, who does not share the same household, and includes, but is not limited to the following sectors:

Groceries, pharmacies, and other retail that sells food and beverage products, including but not limited to grocery stores, corner stores, and convenience stores (including liquor stores that sell food), farmers’ markets, food banks, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, “big box” stores that sell groceries and essentials, and similar food retail establishments.
Commercial retail stores that supply essential sectors, including convenience stores, pet supply stores, auto supplies and repair, hardware and home improvement, garden stores and indoor sales for nurseries that support food cultivation and production, office supply stores that support working-from-home, and home appliance retailers.
Restaurants, food carry-out, quick-serve food operations–including food preparation, carry-out, and delivery food employees.
Cannabis retail and dietary supplement retail stores; liquor, tobacco, and vapor retail stores.
Hair and nails salons and barbers.
Real estate locations (including in-office, vehicle, house demonstrations, if necessary).
Veterinary care and pet grooming services.
In-home domestic services (nannies, housecleaning, etc.).
Buses, light rail, and other forms of public transportation.
Agricultural work and housing.
Food and produce processing (frozen processing, produce sorting and packing, etc.).
Any indoor manufacturing and indoor construction and remodeling.

The following individuals may be excluded from this Directive:

Any child aged two years or less;
Any child aged 12 years or less unless parents and caregivers supervise the use of face coverings by children to avoid misuse;
Any individual who has a physical disability that prevents easily wearing or removing a face covering;
Any individual who is deaf and uses facial and mouth movements as part of communication, or an individual who is communicating with a person who is deaf and uses facial and mouth movements as part of communication;
Any individual who has been advised by a medical professional that wearing a face covering may pose a risk to that individual for health related reasons;
Any individual who has trouble breathing or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the face covering without assistance.

Want to learn more about why face coverings work? Check out these scientific journal articles:

May 26, 2020 – 5:00pm

Seven (7) new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command since last Friday. The cases are residents Mattawa, Moses Lake, Warden, and Quincy. Full demographics can be found above.

While we are happy to be in Phase 2 of the Governor’s Safe Start Plan and excited for businesses to finally be opening their doors again, everyone needs to continue to do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19. Please avoid large gatherings, including backyard BBQs, birthday parties, and other get-togethers with family and friends of more than 5 people outside your home. Wear a mask whenever you are in public and can’t stay 6 feet away from others like while shopping and at work. And stay home if you feel sick. We can all look out for the health of those around us!

May 25, 2020 – 4:00pm

As a reminder, we will not be posting daily updates over the weekend. GCHD is moving back to a Monday – Friday work schedule to give our staff some much needed rest. We will have staff on-call every weekend to investigate new cases and follow-up with close contacts.

Missing our update and needing to share some COVID-19 information this weekend? Take care of your friends and family by making sure to pass on information from credible sources like the WA Dept of Health. For information to bust some common myths, please see their website.

May 23, 2020 – 3:30pm

Grant County Moves to Phase 2 of the Washington State COVID-19 Safe Start Recovery Plan

Today Grant County Health District was notified that their application was approved to move to Phase 2 of the Washington State Safe Start Recovery Plan. Click here to see the letter of approval from Washington State Secretary of Health John Wiesman.

With Phase 2 there are many additional steps businesses will need to have in place before they are authorized to open their doors. Many local businesses have already been working on their reopening plans in anticipation of moving to the next phase.

While businesses and employers are doing their part to be prepared to welcome you back, it is important that our residents and visitors continue to do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19. Grant County Health Officer, Dr. Brzezny is urging you to wear face coverings when out in public, office spaces, or where social distancing is challenging. Wearing a face covering is protecting others from you and has proven to slow the spread of COVID19. It’s a simple act of kindness and a responsibility we all should take seriously. All the sacrifices during the COVID-19 emergency has taken a toll on all of us, in order to stay in Phase 2 it will take all usof doing our part to protect each other.

Guidance During All Phases:
For high risk individuals, it continues to be important to limit travel outside of their home to reduce risk of exposure. High risk individuals are defined as those persons 65 years of age and older, people of all ages with pre-existing medical conditions including those with chronic lung disease, moderate to severe asthma, serious heart conditions, immunocompromised, severe obesity, diabetics, chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis, and those with liver disease. It is important that we all take precautions until there is an effective COVID-19 vaccine or treatment.

For Individuals:

Use physical distancing, staying at least six feet away from others.
When possible, wear a cloth face covering in public places.
Stay home when sick.
Avoid others who are sick.
Disinfect surfaces and objects regularly.
Cover coughs and sneezes.
Avoid touching mouth, nose and eyes with unwashed hands.
For Employers:
Follow Safe Start Re-Opening Requirements.
Use physical distancing of six feet between employees and patrons.
Provide services while limiting close interactions between people. When this is not possible, use barriers to block sneezes and coughs when physical distancing of six feet is not possible.
Provide ready access to handwashing facilities and hand sanitizing solutions.
Frequently clean and disinfect, especially high touch surfaces.
Identify personal protective equipment (PPE) and use in accordance with Labor and Industries.
Educate employees on signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
Have policies and strategies in place to address employee illness.

Visit the Grant County Health District Resources page for additional information on signage and guidelines.

May 22, 2020 – 3:00pm

One (1) new confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported to Unified Command today. The new case is a resident of Moses Lake. Full demographics are on our COVID-19 Updates page. We are also reporting an additional 14 people who have recovered for a total of 106.

This afternoon with the support of Grant County Commissioners, Grant County Board of Health, and recommendation of the Grant County Health Officer, Theresa Adkinson, District Administrator of the Grant County Health District, submitted Grant County’s request for variance to move to Phase 2 of Safe Start Washington. The application was submitted to Washington State Secretary of Health John Wiesman. Secretary Wiesman will be reviewing applications through the weekend. He will be considering several factors in his review. Grant County believes we have put together a strong application to move to Phase 2. To see the entire submitted request, please click here.

May 22, 2020 – 2:00pm

During our review of data in preparation to submit the application for variance to move to Phase 2 of the Safe Start plan, we discovered some of our data tables above were in error. The tables have been updated with correct information so all demographics total 197 cases and are correct.

May 21, 2020 – 5:00pm

COVID-19 Update 5/21/2020
Three (3) new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command today. The cases are residents of Quincy and Mattawa. Full demographics can be found above.

GCHD staff will be returning to a Monday to Friday work schedule starting next week and will be on-call through the holiday weekend. Staff will be checking for any new cases reported to Unified Command throughout the weekend and a team will be on-call to investigate any new cases. We will not be doing updates on the weekend beginning this weekend. Tuesday’s update will include any cases that came in over the weekend.

May 20, 2020 – 4:00pm

Grant County Health District’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Grant County, WA – Yesterday Governor Jay Inslee announced criteria for some larger counties to apply for a variance to move to Phase 2 under the state’s Safe Start recovery plan. Grant County was not included in the group of counties eligible to apply. The data matrix used was based on the infection rate over a 14 days of testing period and the CDC recommendation that a community needs to be below .71 cases per 100,000 people per day. In Grant County, this equates to less than 10 cases over a 14-day period. The data shared with GCHD shows that the current rate is 1.5.

Mindful of the risks associated with COVID-19, Grant County Health District is committed to being prepared for Phase 2 as soon as that opportunity is made available. We are all anxious to see when the number of cases in our county drops below the rate necessary for a variance. But COVID-19 case rates are one part of the variance requirements. While we wait for the opportunity to apply, GCHD is also making sure that we have everything necessary in place to meet our state’s expectations for a variance, including working on arrangements for an isolation and quarantine facility, increasing testing volume across the county, improving availability of testing sites, and even re-purposing technology to allow for the required daily check-in with close contacts. All those are necessary parts of any future application.

To that end, Grant County Health District is working closely with the Grant County healthcare community and neighboring health departments and districts to accomplish these tasks. Here is a snapshot of ongoing daily work by our staff:

Investigating COVID-19 reports in Grant County, assuring that all individuals with positive COVID-19 results are appropriately isolated, identifying all people who have been in close contact with those individuals and placing them under quarantine/isolation within 24-48 hours of the initial notification. Since mid-March, GCHD’s 21 employees have staggered days off in order to have 24 hours a day, 7 days a week response and will be moving to a weekend on call schedule for the summer months. More than 3,700 contacts have been made since the onset of this emergency.Grant County Health District staff contacts every tested individual (reported by the healthcare facility tested at) to ensure isolation orders are understood and identify any possible epi-link to a positive case.
Working with employers, churches and community organizations where positive cases or clusters may have been identified, to reduce the spread of the disease to others.
Creating guidelines, standards and policies relevant to the testing and care of individuals suspected of having COVID-19.
Staffing and coordinating a daily check in with Grant County healthcare providers and long-term care facilities and sharing updated guidance.
Sharing information with local agencies, organizations, businesses, and community groups. A list of the key guidance documents and signage can be found here: http://granthealth.org/resources-for-covid-19
Providing consultation and reviewing operation plans that protect the public and workforce from COVID-19.
Providing daily updates to the public on our website and Facebook. A link to our COVID-19 Data Page and Daily Blog is here: http://granthealth.org/updates-for-covid-19-in-grant-county
Creating informational materials and educational resources aimed at encouraging Grant County residents to take steps to protect their health and the health of their community.
Coordinating a regional response whenever applicable with our partners in the Region 7 (Grant, Chelan-Douglas, Okanogan, and Kittitas Counties).
Providing on-site visits and link to testing (if needed), at congregate settings, including nursing homes and farm housing units.
Working with the agricultural community at the local and state levels in order to limit the spread of the disease among the farm workers.
Fielding numerous inquiries from elected officials, media and other community partners related to this unprecedented public health emergency.

As GCHD leadership, Board of Health, and the County Commissioners review the application for variance materials, there is important work under way. GCHD will need the continued support and assistance from our healthcare, cities, and county leaders for the essential elements of the application to include:

Increasing COVID-19 testing. – The application needs to demonstrate not only that COVID-19 testing is available across the county and accessible to all, but it is being done at an increased rate. This increase in testing includes involving workplaces and healthcare facilities with COVID-19 cases and testing all hospital admissions and/or those undergoing elective surgeries. GCHD is also working with our healthcare partners to continue to create this workforce for COVID-19 testing.
Reducing the number of days from illness onset to COVID-19 test specimen collection – This means our community members should seek testing as soon as they suspect COVID-19 symptoms. It also means that all individuals exposed to someone with COVID (close contacts) are being advised to seek testing regardless of symptoms. As a result, testing sites and our healthcare facilities will need to test a larger number of people who now qualify for testing.
Establishing available housing facilities for patients who cannot isolate or quarantine in their home safely. – Everyone who needs isolation or quarantine must do so safely without exposing others. That is not always possible due to crowded living conditions or no home. GCHD and partners have identified motel rooms and possibly a closed nursing home facility for this purpose. Part of this plan also includes the Moses Lake’s homeless camp plan.
Assuring essential needs for those recovering, or those in isolation or quarantine. – For those recovering at home, our community must demonstrate the services available, including food and other support services outlined by the state.
Maintaining staff capacity. – The application must demonstrate that there is staff capacity within our community to continue carrying our investigative work, while at the same time having the capacity to perform thorough outbreak investigations in congregate living facilities and workplaces. All those in close contacts with COVID-19 need to be found and tested. All individuals who are isolated or quarantined need to be contacted daily. In addition, we are working with a software company on implementing a confidential electronic (including texting) communication platform to allow for a daily contact with those under public health monitoring.

There was no playbook written for COVID-19, but we have utilized our expertise and community partnerships developed over the years from other public health emergencies and outbreaks during our usual work. Still, we need partners, supportive community leaders and a supportive community to be successful. We understand that you may not be fully aware of what we do or what our role is at this time. We are a small, but dedicated workforce of people who live in Grant County just like you and who have responded to work on preventing a bad outcome and on getting us ready for the next phase of the “Safe Start Washington”.

May 19, 2020 – 5:00pm

COVID-19 Update 5/16/2020
No new cases of COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command today.

GCHD strongly recommends wearing a face covering such as a fabric mask whenever you are out in public and cannot stay 6 feet away from those around you. This includes in the grocery store and at work. Your mask should be tight fitting and cover your nose and mouth at all times, even when talking! Avoid touching the front of the mask. Use the ties or elastic loops to take it on and off. Your mask helps protect others and their mask helps protect you! Do your part to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.

May 18, 2020 – 5:00pm

Fourth Grant County Resident Death from Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Grant County Health District was notified on May 18, 2020 that a hospitalized male in his 50s from Grand Coulee passed away due to complications from COVID-19. This death brings the total Grant County COVID-19-related deaths to four (4).

Our hearts are with his family and friends. On behalf of Unified Command, our staff, Health Officer, and Board of Health, we are so sorry for your loss.
Today four cases of confirmed COVID-19 were reported to GCHD and the one case reported on Sunday, May 17, 2020 was reassigned to another county where that patient now resides, bringing the total in Grant County to 192.

Please continue practice all possible measures to avoid infection or spread of this disease including:
• Staying home except for essential trips for things like groceries or doctor appointments,
• Physical Distancing of 6 feet,
• Wearing mask when going into public, and
• Washing your hands when you get home.

May 18, 2020 – 8:00am

The case that was reported yesterday evening was found to be a resident of another county during our investigation. The total cumulative cases stands at 188.

May 17, 2020 – 4:30pm

One (1) new confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported to Unified Command today. The case is a resident of Moses Lake. Full demographics can be found above.

Remember, physical distancing is one of the best tools in the toolbox to limit the spread of COVID-19. Physical distancing limits the risk of transmission and exposure. Anytime you’re around people outside of your household, like in the grocery store, at work, or at the park, stay 6 feet away from others. Also, as a bonus, if you’re always 6 feet away from those around you, you’re unlikely to be identified as a close contact to a confirmed case so you’re less likely to get a call from one of our investigators.

May 16, 2020 – 4:30 pm

No new cases of COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command today.

GCHD was granted permission from Maria to share her story with you, her home community. This amazing and strong woman was one of our first COVID-19 cases in Grant County. She spent 58-days hospitalized fighting COVID-19 and went from being on life support to finally being discharged from an Oregon hospital. Now Maria and her family will continue her healing from her home. Welcome home Maria! Our GCHD staff root for every resident who is or was hospitalized. Watch her story here: https://katu.com/news/local/life-support-machine-saves-coronavirus-patients-life-at-ohsu

No se notificaron nuevos casos de COVID-19 al Comando Unificado hoy.

A GCHD se le concedió permiso de María para compartir su historia con usted, su comunidad natal. Esta increíble y fuerte mujer fue uno de nuestros primeros casos COVID-19 en el Condado de Grant. Pasó 58 días hospitalizada luchando contra COVID-19 y pasó de estar en soporte vital a finalmente ser descargada de un hospital de Oregón. Ahora María y su familia continuarán sanando en su casa. Bienvenido a casa Maria! Nuestra personal de GCHD apoyamos a cada residente que es o fue hospitalizado. Mira su historia aquí: https://katu.com/news/local/life-support-machine-saves-coronavirus-patients-life-at-ohsu

May 15, 2020 – 5:00 pm

No new cases of COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command today.

What is Quarantine and Isolation?

“Quarantine” and “isolation” are two words that are getting used a lot during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sometimes people may use them interchangeably, but they aren’t the same thing.

Quarantine is used for people who are not sick, but we worry may become sick because they had close contact with someone who was infected with COVID-19. Quarantined people need to stay at home and monitor for symptoms until their quarantine period is done. In case they are infected, staying home protects others from being exposed. Currently, quarantine lasts 14 days.

Isolation is used for people who are sick (symptomatic) or have tested positive for COVID-19. Not everyone who tests positive for COVID-19 shows symptoms, but they can still spread the disease. Isolation means that people are supposed to stay away from everyone, even people in their own homes, to protect them from being infected. This may mean they stay in a separate bedroom or separate part of the home. It could also mean they stay in an isolation location that is away from their home. Isolation locations may be hotels, former long term care facilities, or other places that are set up specifically to house those who are sick.

GCHD will not forcibly remove people from their homes or separate children from their families. Isolation facilities are available as an option for those in need of a safe place to isolate, such as those who are homeless or for some other reason cannot safely isolate at home. Many people have safely isolated from their family members while in the same home.

May 14, 2020 – 5:00pm

COVID-19 Update 5/14/2020
No new cases of COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command today.

We know physical distancing and staying home are hard. We miss our friends and family. We miss our usual activities. We miss the things we took for granted and assumed would always be normal. Remember to take care of yourself. It’s ok to not feel ok and it’s ok to reach out if you need help. For mental health resources please visit: https://coronavirus.wa.gov/…/mental-and-emotional-well-being

May 13, 2020 – 5:00pm

No new cases of COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command today.

There is a lot of talk about contact tracing right now. Contact tracing is not new to GCHD! Even before COVID-19, we’ve used the same process for communicable disease investigations such as tuberculosis. For COVID-19, we’ve been tracing close contacts since the very first Grant County case. Contact tracing is the process to identify close contacts of a positive case and then contacting them to gather more information. We will also place them under isolation or quarantine depending on their symptoms. Each positive case can have few or many close contacts and we contact them all them all. For more information on our investigation process, please see our COVID-19 FAQ page: http://granthealth.org/2019-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov/

Se habla mucho sobre el seguimiento de contactos en este momento. ¡El rastreo de contactos no es nuevo para GCHD! Incluso antes de COVID-19, hemos utilizado el mismo proceso para investigaciones de enfermedades transmisibles como la tuberculosis. Para COVID-19, hemos estado rastreando contactos cercanos desde el primer caso del Condado de Grant. El rastreo de contactos es el proceso para identificar contactos cercanos de un caso positivo y luego contactarlos para recopilar más información. También los colocaremos bajo aislamiento o cuarentena según sus síntomas. Cada caso positivo puede tener pocos o muchos contactos cercanos y nos contactamos con todos ellos. Para obtener más información sobre nuestro proceso de investigación, consulte nuestra página de preguntas frecuentes de COVID-19: http://granthealth.org/2019-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov/

May 12, 2020 – 5:00pm

Two new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command today. Both are residents of Quincy. Full demographics can be found above.

The Grant County Heath Officer strongly recommends all residents wear masks anytime they are in public and not able to physical distance at least 6 feet from others, including at work, at the doctor’s office, and in the grocery store. Please save medical grade masks for healthcare professionals. Fabric masks help protect those around you so even if you don’t know you’re sick, you can look out for others and help keep them healthy.

May 11, 2020 – 5:00pm

No new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command today. There was an error in the estimate of pending tests yesterday that was corrected today: 96 pending cases.

During this pandemic there are times of uncertaintly and added stress. If you find yourself lonely, stressed, or anxious, pay attention to these emotions and take action:
* Avoid watching, reading, or listening to news reports that cause you to feel anxious or distressed. Fact check what you see on social media. Spread good information.
* Stay connected with others and maintain your social networks. Go for a walk and wave to your neighbors from six feet away. Ask them if they are well and if they need anything.
* If you’re home, introduce structure into your day. Structure and routine may be helpful for people with mental health vulnerabilities, especially during times of uncertainty. Even if you are working from home or if your life looks completely different right now, try to maintain familiar routines in daily life as much as possible.

For more mental health resources, please the Suicide Prevention Resource Center’s resources to support mental health and coping with COVID-19: http://www.sprc.org/covid19

May 10, 2020 – 4:00pm

COVID-19 Update 5/10/2020
One (1) new case of COVID-19 was reported to Unified Command today. The new case is a resident of Mattawa. Full demographics can be seen on our Updates page: http://granthealth.org/updates-for-covid-19-in-grant-county/

Today is Mother’s Day and at GCHD mothers make us think of food, which makes us think of Swiss Cheese which makes us think of COVID-19. What does Swiss Cheese have to do with COVID-19?! Each precaution we take to protect ourselves and others is like a piece of swiss cheese, a little holey, not quite perfect. But, as you layer up the swiss cheese, the holes start to get covered. Each thing we do like wash our hands, wear a mask in public, physically distance ourselves from others, and stay home if we’re sick, helps close the “holes” and limit the spread of COVID-19.

May 9, 2020 – 4:30 pm

No new cases of COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command today, the total number of cases in Grant County remains at 185.

Tomorrow we celebrate all the moms and amazing women in our lives and we hope you have a wonderful day. We want to thank each of you who are working tomorrow, who are giving tirelessly to their community and families. May blessings and peace be with all of you. Please be safe and enjoy the sunshine with your household.

May 8, 2020 – 5:00pm

One new confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported to Unified Command today, bringing the total number of cases in Grant County to 185. The newest case is a resident of the Grand Coulee/Electric City area.

Staff were able to conduct additional follow up of hospitalized patients this week. We are happy to report today that several previously hospitalized patients have been discharged and are continuing to recover at home. Three patients remain in the hospital for complications with COVID-19 infection. Our thoughts are with these patients and their families as they continue to fight this illness.

It is forecasted to be beautiful weather here in Grant County this Mother’s Day weekend. We hope everyone has plans to get outside and do something fun with their loved ones while continuing to practice physical distancing and other safety measures to prevent spread of COVID-19.

May 7, 2020 – 5:00pm

Two (2) new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command today. Both are residents of Moses Lake. Full demographics can be found above.

Washington’s 4-phased approach to reopening will be based on several metrics including testing capacity, our ability to trace contacts and positive cases, the number of new cases of COVID-19, and healthcare facilities ability to respond to patients. The dates in the charts are the earliest possible dates for the next phase, but that doesn’t mean WA will move to each phase on those dates, only that it will be assessed every 3 weeks. Washington’s ability to reopen depends on each of us continuing to do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19.

May 6, 2020 – 5:00pm

No new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command today.

Today is National Nurses Day and Grant County Health District would like to thank all nurses who tirelessly serve their communities. We are incredibly grateful for the work you do – THANK YOU!

May 5, 2020 – 5:00pm

There were no new confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported to Unified Command today. This is the second day in a row there have been zero new cases.

GCHD finalized “COVID-19 Smart” guidance for businesses who are operating or will be opening soon. It is important to put a plan together to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within your business to keep your employees and customer safe. Also, we updated our guidance for farmworkers and farmworker housing. Both documents, as well as other resources are available on our new COVID-19 Resources page: http://granthealth.org/resources-for-covid-19/

May 5, 2020 – 11:45am

GCHD strongly recommends everyone wear a mask whenever they are out in public. The Lt. Governor’s office has partnered with the United Ways of the Pacific Northwest and Serve Washington to organize a statewide homemade mask-making initiative to encourage the general public to make, wear, and donate cloth masks. For more information see the Mask Challenge: https://www.ltgov.wa.gov/mask-challenge

May 4, 2020 – 5:00pm

o new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command today.

While the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” Order is extended to the end of May, Governor Inslee released more details on the “Safe Start” Plan for Washington. Please see the Governor’s media release for more information: https://medium.com/…/inslee-signs-new-covid-19-order-for-ph…

May 3, 2020 – 5:00pm

Seven (7) new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command today. The new cases are residents of Mattawa and Quincy. Six of the cases are close contacts from the same employer. GCHD has been working with the employer to identify any additional close contacts and to isolate people who are sick. At this time, we are not releasing the name of the employer. Full demographics can be found on our website: http://granthealth.org/updates-for-covid-19-in-grant-county/

As we turn the dial and re-enter public life, we’ve got to be vigilant on the things that we do as individuals to keep us safe:
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
• Use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Try not to touch your face.
• Stay at least six feet away from other people.
• Wear cloth face coverings in public places when within six feet of another person.
• Stay home if you feel sick.
• Disinfect surfaces and objects regularly.Para traducir esta página a otro idioma, encuentre este botón en la parte inferior de la página.Щоб перекласти цю сторінку на іншу мову, знайдіть цю кнопку внизу сторінки. Чтобы перевести эту стран…

May 2, 2020 – 4:30 pm

Four (4) cases of confirmed COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command since our last update, bringing the total of Grant County cases to 175. Three (3) Quincy and one (1) Ephrata. Full demographics can be found above.

Yesterday Governor Inslee extended the Stay at Home Order through May 31. We are now in Phase 1 of the reopening of Washington State. Ten counties who have extremely low case counts and populations under 50,000 may create a COVID-19 opening plan to be considered for Phase II before May 31. Grant County remains one of the state’s more active counties for COVID-19 cases and are not eligible for this consideration. However, it is our goal to work with businesses to be ready for when their phase is eligible for opening. We hear you Grant County and we understand your desire to return to work and play. We all need to continue to do our part to meet the goals and move to the next phases of opening.

Learn more by visiting, https://coronavirus.wa.gov/what-you-need-know/whats-open-and-closed

Cuatro (4) casos de COVID-19 confirmados fueron reportados al Comando Unificado desde nuestra última actualización, con lo que el total de casos del Condado de Grant a 175. Tres (3) en Quincy y uno (1) en Ephrata. Los datos demográficos completos se pueden encontrar arriba.

Ayer, el Gobernador Inslee extendió la Orden de Estancia en Casa hasta el 31 de Mayo. Ahora estamos en la Fase 1 de la reapertura del Estado de Washington. Diez condados que cuentan casos extremadamente bajos y poblaciones menores de 50.000 pueden crear un plan de apertura COVID-19 que se considerará para la Fase II antes del 31 de Mayo. El Condado de Grant sigue siendo uno de los condados más activos del estado para los casos COVID-19 y no son elegibles para esta consideración. Sin embargo, nuestro objetivo es trabajar con las empresas para estar listas para cuando su fase sea elegible para la apertura. Te oímos Condado de Grant y sabemos entender tu deseo de volver al trabajo y jugar. Todos tenemos que seguir haciendo nuestra parte para alcanzar los objetivos y pasar a las siguientes fases de apertura.

Obtenga más información visitando, https://coronavirus.wa.gov/what-you-need-know/whats-open-and-closed

May 1, 2020

Four (4) confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command today. All 4 are residents of the Quincy area. Additionally, we added 11 people to our total of recovered cases bringing that count up to 71.

We are defining recovered people as those who are no longer reporting symptoms. Most of our cases listed as recovered were sick in March and early April. Most people who get COVID-19 are symptomatic for more than a week and many experience symptoms like shortness of breath and cough for several weeks.

Cuatro (4) casos confirmados de COVID-19 fueron reportados hoy al Comando Unificado. Los 4 son residentes del área de Quincy. Además, agregamos 11 personas a nuestro total de casos recuperados, lo que aumenta a 71.

Estamos definiendo a las personas recuperadas como aquellas que ya no reportan síntomas. La mayoría de nuestros casos enumerados como recuperados estaban enfermos en marzo y principios de abril. La mayoría de las personas que reciben COVID-19 son sintomáticas durante más de una semana y muchos experimentan síntomas como falta de aire y tos durante varias semanas.

April 30, 2020 – 5:00pm

Six (6) additional cases of COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command today. The new cases are residents of Mattawa and Moses Lake. Full demographics can be above.

COVID-19 is not just a problem for those who are elderly or have underlying health conditions. 82% of our positive cases are under the age of 60 and only 18% were identified as having underlying health conditions. The median age of Grant County residents who are hospitalized due to COVID-19 is 55. Please continue to take precautions to protect yourself and those around you like physical distancing and wearing a face mask in public.

Seis (6) casos adicionales de COVID-19 fueron reportados hoy al Comando Unificado. Los nuevos casos son residentes de Mattawa y Moses Lake. La demografía completa se puede encontrar en nuestra página web: http://granthealth.org/updates-for-covid-19-in-grant-

COVID-19 no es solo un problema para las personas mayores o que tienen afecciones de salud subyacentes. El 82% de nuestros casos positivos son menores de 60 años y solo el 18% se identificó que tenían afecciones de salud subyacentes. La edad promedio de los residentes del Condado de Grant que están hospitalizados debido a COVID-19 es de 55 años. Siga tomando precauciones para protegerse y proteger a quienes lo rodean, como distanciamiento físico y uso de una máscara facial en público.

April 29, 2020 – 5:00pm

No new cases of confirmed COVID-19 were reported to Grant County Unified Command today.

Even though the number of cases of COVID-19 have declined, it is still important to protect those around you when you leave home. Save medical grade masks for healthcare workers, but wearing a fabric mask can help protect those around you. Up to 50% of people who have COVID-19 will not have any symptoms, but they can still spread the virus to others. Practicing physical distancing by staying 6 feet away from others and wearing a mask can help continue to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Grant County!

April 28, 2020 – 5:00pm

Three (3) additional cases of COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command today. The new cases are residents of Electric City, Quincy, and Moses Lake. This is the first confirmed case in northern Grant County. There is also one additional person hospitalized. Full demographics can be found on our webpage: http://granthealth.org/updates-for-covid-19-in-grant-

As the state begins to open up, know the symptoms of COVID-19. If you feel sick, stay home and call your doctor to find out if you should be tested. Symptoms are not just limited to cough or shortness of breath. Any 2 of the following symptoms or any 1 with a cough or shortness of breath are also signs of COVID-19: fever, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or loss of taste or smell.

Tres (3) casos adicionales de COVID-19 fueron reportados hoy al Comando Unificado. Los nuevos casos son residentes de Electric City, Quincy y Moses Lake. Este es el primer caso confirmado en el norte del condado de Grant. También hay una persona adicional hospitalizada. Se pueden encontrar datos demográficos completos en nuestra página web: http://granthealth.org/updates-for-covid-19-in-grant-county.

A medida que el estado comienza a abrirse, conozca los síntomas de COVID-19. Si se siente enfermo, quédese en casa y llame a su médico para averiguar si puede hacerse la prueba. Los síntomas no se limitan solo a tos o falta de aire. Cualquiera de los 2 síntomas siguientes o 1 con tos o dificultad para respirar también son signos de COVID-19: fiebre, escalofríos, dolor muscular, dolor de cabeza, dolor de garganta, o pérdida de sabor u olfato.

April 26, 2020 – 4:30 pm

One (1) new case of confirmed COVID-19 was reported to Grant County Unified Command today, bringing the total number of cases in Grant County to 158. The new case is a resident of Quincy. Full demographics can be found on our webpage: http://granthealth.org/updates-for-covid-19-in-grant-

Un (1) nuevo caso de COVID-19 confirmado fue reportado hoy al Comando Unificado del Condado de Grant, lo que eleva el número total de casos en el Condado de Grant a 158. El nuevo caso es residentes de Quincy. Se pueden encontrar datos demográficos completos en nuestra página web: http://granthealth.org/updates-for-covid-19-in-grant-county.

April 25, 2020 – 4:30 pm

Two (2) new cases of confirmed COVID-19 were reported to Grant County Unified Command today, bringing the total number of cases in Grant County to 157. The new cases are residents of Mattawa and Quincy. Full demographics can be found on our webpage: http://granthealth.org/updates-for-covid-19-in-grant-county.

Dos (2) nuevos casos de COVID-19 confirmados fueron reportados hoy al Comando Unificado del Condado de Grant, lo que eleva el número total de casos en el Condado de Grant a 157. Los nuevos casos son residentes de Mattawa y Quincy. Se pueden encontrar datos demográficos completos en nuestra página web: http://granthealth.org/updates-for-covid-19-in-grant-county.

April 24, 2020 – 4:30pm

Third Grant County Resident Death from Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Grant County, WA – Unified Command was notified on April 24th that a male in his 50s from Mattawa passed away at home today due to complications from COVID-19. He was not employed prior to or during his illness. This death brings the total Grant County COVID-19-related deaths to three (3).

Our hearts are with his family and friends. On behalf of Unified Command, our staff, Health Officer, and Board of Health, we are so sorry for your loss.
There were no new cases of confirmed COVID-19 reported to Unified Command today.

For detailed information on Grant County COVID-19 related statistics, visit www.granthealth.org.

Please continue practice all possible measures in order to avoid infection or spread of this disease including:

Staying home except for essential trips for things like groceries or doctor appointments,
Physical Distancing of 6 feet,
Wearing mask when going into public, and
Washing your hands when you get home.

April 23, 2020 – 5:00pm

COVID-19 Update 4/23/20
Four (4) new cases of confirmed COVID-19 were reported to Grant County Unified Command today. The new cases are residents of Moses Lake, Quincy, and Royal City. Full demographics can be found on our webpage: http://granthealth.org/updates-for-covid-19-in-grant-county.
This week we have seen fewer positive test results and you deserve the thanks. Thank you for doing your part to prevent the spread of COVID-19! Thank you for staying home when you’re sick! Thank you for wearing masks in public! Thank you for washing your hands! Thank you for only going out when you need to! These are the things helping to keep Grant County healthier.

Actualización COVID-19 del 4/23/20
Cuatro (4) nuevos casos de COVID-19 confirmados fueron reportados hoy al Comando Unificado del Condado de Grant. Los nuevos casos son residentes de Moses Lake, Quincy y Royal City. Se pueden encontrar datos demográficos completos en nuestra página web: http://granthealth.org/updates-for-covid-19-in-grant-county.
Esta semana hemos visto menos resultados positivos y usted merece las gracias. ¡Gracias por hacer su parte para evitar la propagación de COVID-19! ¡Gracias por quedarse en casa cuando está enferma! ¡Gracias por usar máscaras en público! ¡Gracias por lavarse las manos! ¡Gracias por solo salir cuando lo necesita! Estas son las cosas que ayudan a mantener el Condado de Grant más saludable.

April 22, 2020 – 5:00pm

Four (4) new cases of confirmed COVID-19 were reported to Grant County Unified Command today. The new cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa, Moses Lake, and Quincy. Full demographics can be found above.

We still don’t fully know what re-opening WA will look like, but we do know the current Stay Home Order is still in effect. Just like you, we at GCHD are eager to return to our favorite stores and restaurants and get back to recreation activities like hiking and fishing. It is important that everyone continues to stay home as much as possible and when you do go out for essential trips you take precautions like physical distancing, wearing a mask, and washing your hands.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Cuatro (4) nuevos casos de COVID-19 confirmados fueron reportados hoy al Comando Unificado del Condado de Grant. Los nuevos casos son residentes de Ephrata, Mattawa, Moses Lake y Quincy. Se pueden encontrar datos demográficos completos arriba.

Mientras aún no sabemos completamente cómo se verá la reapertura de WA, sí sabemos que la orden actual de Quedarse en Casa todavía está vigente. Al igual que usted, en GCHD estamos ansiosos por regresar a nuestras tiendas y restaurantes favoritos y volver a actividades recreativas como excursiones y pesca. Es importante que todos continúen quedándose en casa tanto como sea posible y cuando salga a realizar viajes esenciales, tome precauciones como distanciarse físicamente, usar una máscara y lavarse las manos.

April 21, 2020 – 4:30pm

Four (4) new cases of confirmed COVID-19 were reported to Grant County Unified Command today. The new cases are residents of Mattawa and Royal City. Full demographics can be found above.

Governor Jay Inlsee will be be speaking tonight at 5:00pm on Washington’s Recovery Plan. The announcement can be viewed here: https://www.tvw.org/watch/…

April 21, 2020 – 1:30pm

There is a lot of talk and questions about antibody testing for COVID-19. At this time, the Grant County Health Officer is not recommending antibody testing. Although 2 tests have been authorized under FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization process, they have not gone through a full FDA approval process. Antibody testing cannot be used for diagnosis of COVID-19 and may or may not tell you currently have the illness or that you had it in the past. The only way to know for sure if you have COVID-19 is through standard testing with a nasal swab.

April 20, 2020 – 5:00pm

No new cases of COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command today.

The coming months will bring slow, measured relaxation of our physical distancing interventions. Even with a slow, phased re-opening of the state, we are likely to see COVID-19 spike. We may open our doors, only to close them again in a matter of months. We will need to develop effective treatments for COVID-19 or a vaccine before we can stop dialing up and down the physical distancing interventions. Although it’s possible that treatments may be developed sooner, in the best case scenarios, we are still at least 12-18 months from a vaccine. Now is the time to start preparing what life will look like when businesses start to re-open.

April 19, 2020 – 4:30 pm

Two (2) new cases of confirmed COVID-19 was reported to Unified Command since our last update. Both cases are Moses Lake residents. There are now a total of 143 confirmed cases in Grant County. Full demographics can be found above.

April 18, 2020 – 5:00pm

One (1) new case of confirmed COVID-19 was reported to Unified Command since our last update. The new case is a Moses Lake resident. There are now a total of 141 confirmed cases in Grant County. Full demographics can be found above.

April 17, 2020 – 5:00pm

COVID-19 Update: 4/17/2020
Seven (7) new cases of confirmed COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command since our last update. The new cases are residents of Ephrata, Mattawa, Moses Lake, and Quincy. Full demographics can be found on our website. http://granthealth.org/updates-for-covid-19-in-grant-county/. We are also reporting that 11 additional people have recovered from their illness since last week. People who have recovered are residents of Ephrata, Moses Lake, Royal City, and the Mattawa and Quincy areas.

The growth rate on the graph shows that cases of COVID-19 in Grant County are still being reported at a high rate and are not slowing. You can see the rapid growth of new cases over the last month. When cases start to slow down, the graph will start leveling off and look like a straight line across the top. Please continue to take precautions against COVID-19 like staying home except for essential trips, masking in public, and washing your hands.

April 16, 2020 – 5:00pm

Four (4) new cases of confirmed COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command since our last update. The new cases are residents of Mattawa and Moses Lake. Full demographics can be found on our website. http://granthealth.org/updates-for-covid-19-in-grant-county/.

Social distancing doesn’t have to mean social isolation. There are still lots of ways to safely connect during this time. We encourage you to check-in with family and friends. A phone call is always a good place to start and there are several video calling options available so you can see each other. You can also try old fashioned snail mail if you’re not feeling like talking or if you know people who don’t hear well.

April 15, 2020 – 5:00pm

COVID-19 Update: 4/15/2020
Seven (7) new cases of confirmed COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command since our last update. The new cases are residents of Mattawa, Royal City, and Moses Lake. Full demographics can be found on our website. http://granthealth.org/updates-for-covid-19-in-grant-county/

This morning Unified Command launched a Safety Line. The phones will be staffed from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. People who are homebound and need essential services such as food or non-urgent medical needs met can call one of two numbers:
English 509-754-1323
Spanish 509-754-2019

April 14, 2020 – 5:00pm

A bit of good news today; only 1 new case of confirmed COVID-19 was reported to Unified Command since our last update. We also had one case that was transferred to another county, so our number of positive cases stays at 122. The new case is a resident of Moses Lake.

Now is not the time to stop staying home. We still need to be diligent about protecting ourselves and others from COVID-19. Feeling good? Great! This is the time to think about how you might protect people you know and love from COVID-19. If you wait to feel sick before taking actions to protect others, it might be too late.

People who feel sick with COVID-19 symptoms like fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat or loss of taste and smell are at their most contagious. People with COVID-19 can spread the virus for 1-3 days before they get symptoms. During this time, they feel well, and if they are not taking precautions like social distancing and great hand washing, they can spread the virus to others. Staying home is an act of compassion. We stay home to protect our communities and our loved ones.

April 13, 2020 – 5:00pm

Two (2) new cases of confirmed COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command since our last update– One each from Moses Lake and Mattawa. Full demographics can be found above.

Many of us are doing our part to slow the spread of COVID-19, but our hard work to flatten the curve can be easily undone. It is critical that everyone keep social distancing, masking in public, and washing their hands now and in the weeks to come. Stay Home! Stay Healthy!

April 12, 2020 – 5:00pm

Six (6) new cases of confirmed COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command since our last update– Two (2) cases from Mattawa, one (1) from Moses Lake and three (3) Quincy. That is 20 new cases since Friday. Full demographics can be found above.

While we are encouraged to see our elderly population numbers remain low, we are concerned by the marked increase in residence age 19-40 and 41-60. Workplace health matters and safety polices will prevent the spread of COVID-19. Several of our cases are also being linked to family and friend gatherings that occurred over the last two weeks.

The sunshine makes us all feel a little happier. Thank goodness! We need it! #stayathome

April 11, 2020 – 5:00 pm

Five (5) new cases of confirmed COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command since our last update–two cases from Mattawa, two from Moses Lake and one from Royal City. One previously reported case from Moses Lake was found to be a resident of another county and taken off our list, bringing the total of Grant County cases to 114. Full demographics can be found above.

We hope you are enjoying this holiday weekend safe at home with your immediate family. Staying home means saving lives.

April 10, 2020 – 5:00pm

Nine (9) new cases of confirmed COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command since our last update, bringing the total of Grant County cases to 110. Three (3) Quincy, two (2) Mattawa, two (2) Ephrata, one (1) Moses Lake and one (1) Soap Lake. Full demographics can be found above.

Today we updated the COVID-19 recovery number from 14 to 28. This number will be updated weekly.

It was a busy week and extremely busy Friday for the Grant County Health District investigators with nine (9) new cases being reported. While our team is busy working on each case, this week is also our national public health week. A week that we celebrate our amazing staff and public health partners. Thank you GCHD staff and Board for your personal sacrifice to flatten the curve and save lives in Grant County. “I owe you all a big cake and celebration when the dust settles,” Theresa Adkinson, GCHD Administrator.

April 9, 2020 – 5:00pm

Three (3) new cases of confirmed COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command since our last update, bringing the total of Grant County cases to 101. Full demographics can be found above.

Today the Grant County unified command shared a list of virtual Good Friday and Easter Sunday services being held across Grant County. A list can be found at https://bit.ly/3e2pdoG and in Spanish at https://www.facebook.com/GrantCoSheriff/posts/1552191118276521. Thank you very much to the clergy and congregations for helping us promote social distancing during this holiday weekend.

While COVID-19 in the Puget Sound area may be reaching its peak, here in Grant County we are likely few weeks out. Happy Easter. Happy Passover. May peace be with you and your loved ones over this holiday weekend.

April 8, 2020 – 5:00pm

COVID-19 Update 4/8/20
Four (4) new cases of confirmed COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command since our last update, bringing the total of Grant County cases to 98. Full demographics can be found above.

The WA Attorney General Bob Ferguson today launched a “See It, Snap It, Send It” Campaign encouraging Washingtonians to report price gouging. Anyone who sees price gouging is encouraged to snap a photo or take a screenshot, and then include the image with the complaint they file at the Attorney General’s website here. For more information on filing complaints, visit www.atg.wa.gov/file-complaint.

April 6, 2020 – 3:00pm

Three (3) new cases of confirmed COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command since our last update, bringing the total of Grant County cases to 90. During our investigations, we discovered one of the cases previously reported is not a Grant County Resident. GCHD added “Recovered” to our data tables. Going forward, this information will be updated weekly. Full demographics can be found above.

The sudden change in our daily lives can take a toll on our mental health. Loss of routine, school closures, changes in employment, uncertain finances, loneliness – all of these things and more can cause anything from mild anxiety to despair and hopelessness. This page of resources gives you some place to reach out to when you need help: https://coronavirus.wa.gov/mental-health-and-well-being…

April 5, 2020 – 3:00pm

Eight (8) new cases of confirmed COVID-19 were reported to Unified Command since our last update, bringing the total of Grant County cases to 88. We are working on finding out how many of our cases have recovered from COVID-19 and will include that information in our update tomorrow.

Spring is here and getting outdoors is encouraged. While you are getting your fresh air, remember:
• Gatherings of any size are not allowed outdoors, just as they are not allowed indoors. This includes friends getting together to go hiking or have a backyard BBQ.
• Do outdoor activities only with people in your immediate household (not extended families).
• Find outdoor activities close by your home. Now is not the time to travel.
• If you encounter others, maintain a minimum of 6-feet distance. Remember social distancing doesn’t have to mean social isolation. Nearly everyone appreciates a wave and a friendly smile.
• If you can, support your favorite local small business! Are you in a position to help a shuttered business this weekend by making an online purchase or ordering takeout?

April 4, 2020 – 4:00pm

Second Grant County Resident Death from Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Grant County, WA – This is a joint news release from the Grant County Emergency Operations Center and Confluence Health.

Unified Command was notified by Confluence Health on April 3rd that a male in his 60s from Moses Lake passed away on April 3rd due to complications from COVID-19. This death brings the total Grant County COVID-19-related deaths to 2.

Our hearts are with his family, friends, and Central Washington Hospital staff. On behalf of Unified Command, our staff, Health Officer, and Board of Health, we are so sorry for your loss.

In addition, three (3) new cases of confirmed COVID-19 were reported to GCHD, bringing the total in Grant County to 80.

Please continue practice all possible measures in order to avoid infection or spread of this disease.

April 4, 2020 – 9:00am

Cloth Face Masks & Gowns Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Batas y máscaras de tela Equipo de protección personal (EPP)

For more information please contact the Joint Information Center: gceocpio@grantcountywa.gov

GRANT COUNTY, WA – All of us involved in the COVID-19 response know that protecting our health workers and first responders is vital for each and every one of us. That is why our limited supplies of commercial Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) have been reserved for them. But we want our residents to feel safe and help with slowing the spread of COVID-19 too. Your Health District is supportive of our wearing your homemade masks and face coverings when out in public.

It is important to note that public masking is not a substitution for social distancing and limiting your interactions with other households and co-workers. We want to reinforce the message that masks should not make us feel too safe, and reduce our attention to handwashing, surface cleaning, social distancing, and other critical measures.

Until supplies of commercially made masks are available, members of the public who want masks should be using homemade ones. These can be just as effective at stopping infective droplets as surgical masks. (N95 masks are used by health care workers because they are protective for finer particles, but even in health care, these masks are not required most of the time.) Masks with three layers of cotton material will work. They can have elastic ear loops or ties that go around the back of the head.

If you aren’t able to sew a mask, you can use something such as a cotton scarf or bandana folded into three layers that will cover your nose and mouth and tied behind your head. This will work, too. You probably won’t be able to purchase already manufactured masks at this time – they are going to health workers and first responders only during the shortage. But material to make masks is still available, in some cases from local stores but also on-line from Amazon and others. And, Youtube.com has lots of good videos about how to be creative with materials you have at home to create a face mask.

The Governor is asking Washington State manufacturing businesses to help in this effort, and the prospects are good that thousands of masks can be made available quickly. In the meantime, you will need to make or adapt your own face covering.

But here’s a caution. Once you have worn one for a while – certainly after a day’s use – be careful when removing it not to touch its outside surface. That’s where the virus will be if the mask is actually helping. Wash those used masks in hot water and dry them on high heat – that will kill the virus. And if you have a collection of used masks, treat them as contaminated by carefully dropping them into a sealable plastic bag until you can carefully dump them into a washing machine. Then throw the bag in a garbage can. In health care, we know that taking off PPE carelessly is as risky as wearing it incorrectly, so use special care when you have finished with the mask. Of course, used gowns should be treated with the same caution as used masks.

Sewing patterns for masks, and also for gowns which you might want to wear if taking care of a sick relative, can be found online:

April 3, 2020 – 3:00pm

Two (2) new cases of confirmed COVID-19 were reported to GCHD since our last update, bringing the total of Grant County cases to 77. We currently have eight (8) Grant County residents hospitalized. If you feel you are developing symptoms, please call your healthcare provider to be screened for testing.

As we transition into the weekend, please adhere to the Governor’s Orders, limit your time shopping and designate one person per household to do your shopping. Let’s all do our part and stay home and not mix households.

April 2, 2020 – 5:00pm

Two (2) new cases of confirmed COVID-19 were reported to GCHD since our last update, bringing the total of Grant County cases to 75.

Today, GCHD staff have started their transition to move operations to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office under the unified command of GCHD and Grant County Sheriff.

GCHD and the Sheriff remain extremely concerned about the large number of people gathering in the retail stores that remain open. Please, designate one person to go shopping for the family get in and get out quickly.

Washington State Department of Health launched a data dashboard with state and local data based on our case investigations. Please keep in mind the Dept of Health data is not current as our web site. https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/Coronavirus

April 1, 2020 – 5:00pm

COVID-19 Update 4/1/20
Five (5) new cases of confirmed COVID-19 were reported to GCHD since our last update, bringing the total of Grant County cases to 73. One of our previously reported cases turned out to not be a resident of Grant County, so that investigation was handed off to another local health jurisdiction. The new cases are from Moses Lake, Mattawa, the Quincy Area and Rural Othello. Those listed as “Rural Othello” have an Othello address that is located within Grant County.

COVID-19 isn’t a myth, but there are several myths and rumors out there about it. It’s the first of April, and we’re here with a COVID-19 myth-buster to help keep you from being an April Fool! Love myth-busters? The World Health Organization has one (https://www.who.int/…/novel-…/advice-for-public/myth-busters) and so does the Washington coronavirus page (https://coronavirus.wa.gov/spread-facts)!

March 31, 2020 – 5:00pm

Six (6) new cases of confirmed COVID-19 were reported to GCHD since our last update, bringing the total of Grant County cases to 69. The new cases are from the Quincy area, Ephrata, Warden, and Moses Lake. Full demographics can be found above.

Today District Administrator, Theresa Adkinson, met with the Grant County Sheriff and City Police Chiefs about enforcement of Governor Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” Order. Everyone should be staying home except for essential needs.

March 30, 2020 – 5:00pm

Four (4) new cases of confirmed COVID-19 were reported to GCHD since our last update, bringing the total of Grant County cases to 63. The new cases are from the Quincy area, Ephrata, and Warden. Full demographics can be found above.

Governor Jay Inslee announced guidance today for state and local enforcement on his recent “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order. The state has created an online form for reporting businesses potentially violating orders and is providing guidance to local law enforcement on enforcing bans on gatherings of individuals. Today’s order does not mean more stringent measures than the original order. For example, you can still go outside, and restaurants can still serve takeout. Essential businesses such as grocery stores, pharmacies, hospitals and banks will continue to stay open. More information can be found on the Governor’s media release.

March 29, 2020 – 5:20 pm

Nine (9) new cases of confirmed COVID-19 were reported to GCHD since our last update, bringing the total of Grant County cases to 59. The new cases are from the Quincy area, the Mattawa area, Royal City, Ephrata, Moses Lake and Warden.

We have contacted over a thousand people during our investigations so far. This includes people who were either identified as close contacts to confirmed cases, people who were tested for COVID-19 and those who tested positive. Many of our cases have been linked to others, but many of them have not been linked, which means we don’t know how or where they were infected. This is why we are asking people to please do whatever you would do if you knew someone with COVID-19 was in the public places you are, because it is out there. Stay home and only send one person out for essential items, use a face cover when in public and wash hands immediately when you return. If you are still working in an essential business, maintain 6 feet from your coworkers, monitor yourself for symptoms and wash hands often.

Only together can we can flatten the curve.

March 28, 2020 – 5:00pm

COVID-19 Update 3/28/20
Six (6) more confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD since our last update, bringing the total of Grant County cases to 50. The most recently confirmed cases are residents of Moses Lake, Quincy, and Soap Lake. Full demographics can be found above.

The people in Grant County that have tested for positive for coronavirus are just like anyone else. They’ve been to work, the grocery store, and places of worship. They’ve visited friend’s and family’s homes and the doctor’s office. The virus is around us wherever we go. People may not know they have the virus which makes it important that everyone stay home, except for essential needs.

STAY HOME! STAY HEALTHY!

March 27, 2020 – 5:00 pm

Five (5) more confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD since our last update, bringing the total of Grant County cases to 44. Three of the newest cases are Quincy residents and the other two are Mattawa area residents.

GCHD staff worked with the Moses Lake School District today to identify and call close contacts of the staff member who was recently diagnosed with COVID-19.

Our investigations of other cases are ongoing as well and we will be working through the weekend.

Please stay home and stay healthy this weekend.

March 26, 2020 – 5:10 pm

Six (6) more confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD since our last update, bringing the total of Grant County cases to 39. Two of the newest cases are Quincy residents, two are from Ephrata, and two are from Moses Lake. There was an additional patient hospitalized.

During our investigations with confirmed cases, we have noticed many patients started their illness with milder, less obvious symptoms of COVID-19 such as fatigue, muscle aches, stomach ache and headache. We are asking everyone to please pay attention to any symptoms that are out of the ordinary. Consider calling your healthcare provider for advice, and out of an abundance of caution, please stay home and avoid others. People can be contagious even with mild symptoms or no symptoms at all.

March 25, 2020 – 5:20 pm

Six (6) more confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD in the last 24 hours, bringing the total of Grant County cases to 33. Four of the newest cases are Quincy area residents, one is from Ephrata, and one is from Royal City. There are also 32 probable cases under investigation and numerous tests pending with results expected in the next few days.

Starting today, we have begun to count symptomatic contacts of confirmed cases as “probable” cases, which is why this there was a significant jump in this number today. For example, when a person in a household tests positive for COVID-19, if any of their household members become ill with COVID-19 symptoms, they are considered as “probable” cases. This will help us to better track cases when test results are not available, either because they are pending or if the patient was not tested.

At midnight tonight, the Governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order will go into effect and will last until midnight on April 6th.

This is what Governor Inslee had to say in his speech on Tuesday about his new order:

“It’s time to hunker down in order to win this fight. So, tonight, I am issuing a “Stay Home” order to fight this virus. This is Washington’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order. This includes a ban on all gatherings, and closures of many businesses, unless those businesses are essential to the healthy functioning of our community, or are able to let employees work remotely from home.

It is still safe to go outside using social distancing of six feet, but only for essential purposes. The grocery stores, doctor’s offices and other essential businesses will remain open. This also does not prohibit people from merely going outside to enjoy a walk on a sunny spring day.

So life will go on, but for all of us in every part of Washington, with this in mind: Stay Home, Stay Healthy. The less time you spend out in public, the more lives we can save; the more time we can buy to fight the waves coming down on us now and in the immediate future.”

We here at GCHD appreciate all the support and cooperation from our Grant County Community. Together we can get through this.

March 24, 2020 – 5:00pm

Two (2) more confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD since our last update, bringing the total of Grant County cases to 27. Both cases are Moses Lake residents.

We are asking for patience from healthcare providers, community members and community officials/staff regarding our communication of COVID-19 tests results. The test results are taking 3-10 days depending on which lab the provider submits to. By the time the results are received at GCHD any person who did not follow the orders to stay home may have exposed several additional people to the virus. We understand the public and providers are wanting more information given to them in a quick manner, but unfortunately, this is not always our experience either due to testing variables at labs and healthcare facilities.

The positive results we get now are a picture of what our communities looked like 3-10 days ago. There is still limited testing ability because COVID-19 is a global pandemic and all healthcare facilities need the same supplies. It is important to know that this virus is in all our communities. It is with us where we shop, play, and work which is why it is crucial everyone stays home! Only go out for essential needs like groceries or doctor visits. Even then, send as few people as possible. We need to stay home to stay healthy!

For more information and resources on COVID-19, please see our website: http://granthealth.org/2019-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov/

March 23, 2020 – 5:00pm

Two (2) more confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD since our last update, bringing the total of Grant County cases to 25. Both new cases are Quincy residents. There are also five (5) probable cases under investigation and numerous tests pending in all communities in Grant County.

COVID-19 is in Grant County and is not limited to specific communities, work sites, or people with positive test results. Everyone should be staying home as much as possible and only going into public when necessary. Staying home slows the spread of COVID-19. We should stay home to flatten the curve. We should stay home so our healthcare facilities can continue to serve those who are sick and conserve resources. We should stay home for family, friends, and others we know who are elderly, immunocompromised or have other underlying health concerns like diabetes, heart disease or COPD. Who can you stay home for today?

Today at 5:30 Governor Jay Inslee will be addressing the state. You can view his address at: https://player.invintus.com/?clientID=9375922947&eventID=2020031185

Stay Home. Stay Healthy. Stay Happy.

March 23, 2020 – 4:00pm

To: All Businesses and Employers in Grant County
From: Grant County Health District
Subject: Health Officer Recommendations to Slow the Spread of COVID-19

COVID-19 is in Grant County and is not limited to specific communities, work sites, or people with positive test results. Companies need to take steps to limit the spread of infection, both within their business and in the communities they work.

If employees have been given quarantine or isolation order, they must be followed. Cooperation and compliance with a Health Officer directive is required in accordance with WAC 246-101-425 (http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=246-101-425). Non-compliance with the Health Officer’s directive may constitute a violation of state law RCW 70.05.120 and WAC 246-110-020 (http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-110-020).

The Grant County Health Officer is advising the following measures be implemented at all places of employment:
1) All employees should be screened for coronavirus symptoms each day and excluded if symptomatic.
a. Have a plan to screen employees or volunteers every day. CDC guidelines identify the key symptoms to watch for as fever, cough and shortness of breath. We have a symptom monitoring form that can be used on our website in both English and Spanish: http://granthealth.org/2019-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov/

2) Social distancing recommendations must be met (i.e., limit contact of people within 6 feet from each other for 10 minutes or longer).

a. Establishments should ask themselves: how close will people be and for how long? Ensure that your business is organized in such way to avoid close contact between people as much as possible, including at areas used for breaks or where employees may gather. Washington Department of Health advises that “being within 6 feet of a sick person with COVID-19 for about 10 minutes” constitutes close contact which could result in exposure.

b. Consider: If your store’s traffic meets the DOH criteria above, what can you do to mitigate that? Possibilities may include setting limits on the number of people you allow in your business, marking out 6 –foot intervals with tape on the ground for lines, or moving to an app (such as waitlist.me, skiplino or others) that allows customers to queue in their cars.

3) It is recommended that all employees wear nose and mouth coverings such as a bandana or sewn mask at all times within the workplace. It is inappropriate for the general public or workplaces to divert any healthcare supplies, including surgical masks or other PPEs for public use. It is therefore explicitly recommended that businesses and the public use nontraditional face covers or cloth masks instead

4) CDC guidelines identify the key symptoms to watch for as fever, cough and shortness of breath. Signage should discourage attendance for any person who has these systems. There is a sign available on our website that can be put on doors in both English and Spanish: http://granthealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Regional_DoorPoster_3.20.pdf

5) Proper hand hygiene and sanitation must be readily available to all employees, volunteers, and visitors. a. CDC recommends that people wash their hands often, and if soap and water is not readily available, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, and to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. If handwashing is not available, provide easy access to hand sanitizer and hand sanitizer stations and request employees and customers to abide by personal hygiene recommendations.

6) Clean and disinfect high touch surfaces frequently and at least daily. a. Ensure a clean and sanitary environment. Have employees disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, tables, desks, and handrails. Cleaning and sanitizing guidance can be found on our website: http://granthealth.org/wpcontent/uploads/2020/03/COVID-19-Janatorial-Guidance.pdf

7) Older adults and individuals with underlying medical conditions that are at increased risk of serious COVID-19 are encouraged not to attend, including employees. a. Employees in high risk groups could be separated from other employees when possible or given tasks that minimize their exposure to the general public. For groceries, banks, and other essential establishments, consider implementing dedicated times exclusively available for highly vulnerable populations to come to your business.

Grant County Health District thanks and commends all the businesses who have already implemented measures to slow the spread of COVID-19. We know these measures are disruptive and inconvenient, but we are confident if we continue to carry out public health interventions together we will slow the spread of COVID-19 and help protect members of our community during this unprecedented time We are all in this together! (some language adapted from Public Health Seattle-King County)

March 22, 2020 – 5:00 pm

Five (5) more confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD since our last update, bringing the total of Grant County cases to 23. Of the five new cases, two are Quincy area residents, two are from Mattawa and one is from Moses Lake. There are also three probable cases under investigation and numerous tests pending.

We are currently dedicating nearly 100% of our staff time responding to this outbreak and, as of yesterday, have temporarily switched to a seven days-a-week operation to enable us to continue this work through the weekends. We are working closely with healthcare providers, clinics and hospitals to ensure positive results, as well as any patients being tested, are reported to us immediately so we can start investigating cases as soon as possible.

We have received questions about our “shelter-in-place” advice for high risk groups. Shelter-in-place essentially means, please stay home. Do not go to the store, do not go to work and try to avoid contact with people outside your immediate household. It is recommended that everyone do these things as COVID-19 is spreading in our communities and exposures can occur any time you are out in public.

Stay Home. Stay Healthy. Stay Happy.

March 21, 2020 – 5:20 pm

Seven (7) more cases of COVID-19 were reported to GCHD in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of Grant County cases to 18. Five of the most recent cases are Quincy Residents. The other two are from Mattawa. Even though there has been significant spread in Quincy and Mattawa, there are pending tests from all communities and we should expect cases will be confirmed in other parts of the county.

If you have been identified as a close-contact to a confirmed or suspected case, or if you have been tested for COVID-19, you have probably received a call from us (or will be hearing from us soon). We have contacted hundreds of people connected to these 18 cases, as well as almost everyone who has been tested for COVID-19 from our county. We do this so that people who had close contact with suspected and confirmed cases can be told to “quarantine” at home for 14 days, to prevent potential spread of the virus, and monitor themselves for signs of illness. When someone does have signs of illness (symptoms) or if they are tested for tested for COVID-19 (regardless of symptoms), they are told to “isolate”. This means not only must they stay home, but they must also isolate themselves from other people in their household.

If you are told to quarantine or isolate, PLEASE follow these orders. We will not be able to contain, or control all spread of COVID-19 but we can reduce the spread and minimize the overall impact this pandemic has on our communities.

March 21, 2020 – 4:00pm

We are seeing a rise in cases of COVID-19 in our communities. Test kits are limited and not everyone who has COVID-19 will be tested. The virus is not limited to those who have positive results or symptoms. Yet people with the virus and no symptoms unknowingly pass the virus to others. At this time, you should use all precautions to protect yourself and others. There is community spread within Grant County and you may have contact with people who are ill every time you go out into public places such as the grocery or other stores and the doctor’s office. Do whatever you would do if you knew someone with COVID-19 was in the public places you are, because it is out there. Stay home as much as you can. If you do need to go out, stay 6 feet away from people when possible, wear a mask, and wash your hands as soon as you get home.

When we get a confirmed case of COVID-19, we are only releasing information about locations where close contact is likely to be such as school classrooms and job sites and even then, only directly with those groups. More casual contact like at grocery stores or other retail locations have a lower risk of prolonged exposure so we will not be releasing information about those locations.

Whether or not you are tested, the recommendation is the same: PLEASE STAY HOME!

March 21, 2020 – 2:00pm

Grant County residents who are at higher risk for severe illness with COVID-19 are being advised by our Health Officer to “shelter-in-place” at this time. This includes those 60 years old or older, and those with underlying health conditions (diabetes, heart disease, lung disease) or are otherwise immunocompromised. There are increasing numbers of positive COVID-19 cases linked to the communities of Quincy and Mattawa. The virus is likely spreading in other communities as well. All other residents should be practicing strict social distancing (at least 6’ separation). Stay home as much as possible and avoid contact with people outside your immediate household. For more information about sheltering-in-place for high risk groups, go to our website: http://granthealth.org/2019-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov/

March 20, 2020 – 5:20 pm

There were three (3) new confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported today, bringing the total to 11 cases in our county. Two are residents of Quincy, one male and one female, and the other patient is a male Moses Lake resident. One of the Quincy patients is a close contact of a previously reported case. We now have confirmed cases in four Grant County Communities with the addition of the patient from Moses Lake.

We expect the virus is present throughout our county and are urging residents to protect themselves and their families by limiting their public exposure and exposure to anyone outside of their immediate family.

In addition to staying at least 6 ft away from others, if you must go out in public, it is now appropriate and recommended to cover your mouth and nose with some type of face mask. COVID-19 is primarily transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets produced from coughing, sneezing and even talking. Homemade fabric masks, bandannas and handkerchiefs are acceptable, and can protect you from exposure to respiratory droplets. Medical grade masks should be saved for front line healthcare workers, as supplies are critically low. If you or someone you know can sew, there are several online tutorial videos and instructions on how to make a face mask out of fabric. Samaritan Healthcare posted information about this on their Facebook page earlier today.

People at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19 are advised to shelter-in-place. This includes the elderly and all those with underlying health conditions, such as heart disease, lung disease and diabetes.

What does “shelter-in-place” mean:

Stay home and out of public places (e.g., retail stores, post offices, parks, offices), workplaces, places of worship, and local public conveyances (e.g., buses, taxis, ride-shares).
Limit your visitors to only those who are essential. Maintain 6 ft from each other if possible and do not allow any sick visitors. Do not go to other people’s homes.
Ask for assistance from friends and family. Try to find others who can run necessary errands and go shopping for essential items for you.
If you must go out in public, cover your face and nose with a mask or other covering. Homemade or sewn cloth masks, bandannas or handkerchiefs, are acceptable to use during this time. We are requesting that surgical and other medical/construction-grade masks be saved for front-line healthcare workers. You should not go out except for seeking medical care.
You can and should go outdoors, if you can do it safely. Activities such as walking, hiking and biking are encouraged. Avoid common areas. If you encounter someone while outdoors, stay at least 6 ft away and keep your interaction brief.

Keep a close watch on your health during this time:

Monitor yourself for signs of illness and write down any symptoms you may be having. Record your temperature. Some medications can lower your body temperature, including aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), Tylenol® (acetaminophen), Motrin® or Advil® (ibuprofen), Aleve® (naproxen). If you are taking one of these medications, please take your temperature before your next dose of medication. Write down your temperature.
If you do feel sick, call your regular healthcare provider first. DO NOT GO to a clinic or hospital without first calling ahead. Calling first will help the clinic or hospital prepare to greet you and take care of you in the safest possible way. It may be recommended that you stay home and monitor your symptoms.
Seek prompt medical attention if your symptoms are worsening (e.g., shortness of breath or difficulty breathing). Before seeking care, call your healthcare provider. Put on a face mask that covers your nose and mouth before you enter any facility or emergency vehicle. After you put on the face mask, clean your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

We understand these measures may feel a little extreme, and can be inconvenient, uncomfortable and isolating, but they are only temporary. Taking these actions and making these sacrifices is necessary to protect vulnerable citizens from severe illness and prevent our healthcare system from being overwhelmed.

Finally, GCHD sent a message to healthcare providers today to encourage more social distancing inside healthcare facility waiting rooms and to endorse use of non-traditional face masks. This information can be found in the provider alert section on our website.

March 19, 2020 – 5:20 pm

There was one new confirmed case reported today, bringing the total to 8 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Grant County. The newest patient, a female Ephrata resident, has not experienced severe illness and is in home isolation. There is an additional probable case under investigation as well. There are now three Grant County communities with confirmed cases of COVID-19. At this point, we should assume it is present throughout the county and state.

We are aware that the table of case numbers on the DOH website listed an additional Grant County case yesterday. That was an error; our 8th case did not get confirmed until late last night. We still plan to update our table at 5 pm daily. We appreciate all those who are following closely our local updates, as well as statewide data.

Today, several local law enforcement agencies verbalized their support in enforcement of the Governor’s proclamation that required several businesses and all restaurant dining areas to close, as well as prohibiting gatherings of 50 or more people. These measures were put into place to help slow the spread of this virus in our communities to protect our vulnerable citizens and prevent our healthcare system from being overwhelmed. It takes everyone’s cooperation for this to work. Thank you to all those complying with these orders, as well as our local law enforcement agencies who are willing to help enforce this.

For retailers, churches and other places with gatherings of less than 50 people who have not been required to close during this time, you must implement safety measures to reduce the chance of the virus spreading in your facilities, in order to remain operational. To see the full list of these COVID-19 safety measures in English, Spanish and Ukrainian, click here.

No new cases of COVID-19 were reported today. However, there are now several pending tests and we expect additional cases to be confirmed in the coming days. We have contacted hundreds of potential close-contacts of our confirmed cases and have many people in quarantine. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation with these measures. Even those not in quarantine, should be now be limiting their public exposure and practicing social distancing when they must go in public.

Employers should be implementing safety measures within their facilities and with their employees to help reduce chances of transmission of the virus. Some things we have implemented here at GCHD are:

Closing our front office to reduce in-person interaction with the public
Daily staff symptom checks to make sure no one works while sick
Limiting in-person meetings to less than 10 people so we can maintain at least 6′ away from each other
Increased cleaning and sanitizing of frequently touched surfaces like door handles, sink handles, copy machine buttons, etc.
Vigilant handwashing when entering the building

For more information about what you can do at your workplace to protect your employees and coworkers from Coronavirus, go to the WA Department of Health website.