Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health was notified this morning of two confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The new cases are a married couple – a man and a woman both in her 80s. The couple live in separate long-term care facilities but were in close contact. Both were transported to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center this week. They remain hospitalized.

One case is a resident of a small adult family home. We will not be identifying the name of that facility, in order to protect residents’ privacy.

Vancouver, Wash. – In an abundance of caution due to concerns regarding the COVID-19 virus, the Clark County Auditor, Assessor and Treasurer today announced that the Joint Lobby on the second floor of the Public Service Center will be moving to a virtual format beginning Monday, March 16. The GIS Map Store also will be closed to in-person services.

The three county elected officials made the closure decision in consideration of the health of customers, employees and the community. They will re-evaluate the closure by April 13 to determine a date to re-open the lobby.

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Council has accepted the resignation of Shawn Henessee, County Manager effective today, March 13. The Council thanks Mr. Henessee for his dedication and service to the county. We wish Mr. Henessee all the best in the future.

Clark County Public Health is recommending the cancellation of large gatherings of more than 250 people in order to minimize the potential health impacts of COVID-19.

Public Health is making these recommendations in an abundance of caution. There is no evidence of widespread transmission of COVID-19 in Clark County, which still has only one confirmed case. However, the case had no recent travel history, which indicates the virus is in our community.

Vancouver, Wash. – The Monday, March 16 joint study session of the Commission on Aging and Battle Ground City Council has been canceled. The meeting will be rescheduled to a later date.

The Commission on Aging, supported by the Clark County Council, is a nine-member volunteer group that implements the Aging Readiness Plan and provides leadership addressing needs of aging community members.

For more about the commission, visit www.clark.wa.gov/aging.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health is issuing new recommendations for populations at higher risk of serious illness from novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.

Public Health is recommending – but not requiring – that people at higher risk stay home and away from large groups of people as much as possible. This includes large public gatherings where there will be close contact with others, such as conventions, sporting events and concerts.

People at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19 include people:

Vancouver, Wash. – The county council decided out of an abundance of caution to cancel the State of the County 2020 event originally scheduled for 6 pm today, March 11.

“Public Health is not currently recommending restrictions on public events or gatherings. However, given that some people may be concerned about attending public events at this time, we are canceling tonight’s State of the County,” said Council Chair Eileen Quiring.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health has posted caution signs at Battle Ground Lake due to a bloom of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae.

Public Health will collect water samples from the lake to determine if toxins are in the water. Results should be available later this week.

Public Health is advising people to avoid direct contact with lake water in areas of floating blue-green-colored scum. Blue-green algae produce toxins that can be harmful to people and deadly for small pets that drink the water.

Health officials are recommending:

Clark County Public Health announced its first case of novel coronavirus, COVID-19, late Friday night. Since then, Public Health has identified a small number of people who had close contact with the case. Those individuals have been notified and are now in quarantine, where they will remain for 14 days.

Public Health also received results for two additional pending tests. Those results were negative.

Clark County Public Health received its first positive test result for novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

The confirmed case is a male in his 70s. He has been in isolation, pending test results, and remains in isolation.

Public Health is working as quickly as possible to identify close contacts of the confirmed case. Close contacts, which could include family members and coworkers, will be instructed to stay home for 14 days after their last contact with the confirmed case.