Clark County Public Health has identified 84 cases of COVID-19 among employees of Firestone Pacific Foods and their close contacts. The Public Health investigation into the outbreak at the Vancouver food processing facility is ongoing.

As of Tuesday morning, 69 employees of Firestone Pacific Foods have tested positive for COVID-19; four are not Clark County residents. Another 15 people identified as close contacts of those cases have also tested positive.

Public Health coordinated with The Vancouver Clinic and Firestone to facilitate COVID-19 testing of all employees. That… Read More

Clark County Public Health was notified today that the state has put the county’s request for a Phase 2 variance on pause until further discussion next week. The decision is the result of a current COVID-19 outbreak at a Vancouver food processing facility.

As of this morning, 38 employees of Firestone Pacific Foods in Vancouver have tested positive for COVID-19. At least two of those people are not Clark County residents. One person has been hospitalized.

“While this outbreak is unfortunate, our response demonstrates we have the confidence and capability to respond to… Read More

Clark County Public Health has submitted its request for a Phase 2 variance to Washington Secretary of Health John Wiesman. If approved, the variance would allow the county to move into Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan.

Gov. Jay Inslee announced Tuesday new criteria that allow larger counties to apply for variances to move into Phase 2 of his four-phased Safe Start Washington plan. Clark County Public Health completed the application… Read More

Clark County Public Health is preparing a variance request that, if approved, would allow the county to move into Phase 2 of the state’s phased reopening plan.

Gov. Jay Inslee announced today new criteria that allow larger counties to apply for variances to move into Phase 2 of his four-phased Safe Start… Read More

Gov. Jay Inslee issued guidance this week for partially reopening restaurant and tavern dining areas. Clark County food establishments are encouraged to use this guidance to prepare for reopening, however, local restaurants cannot reopen their dining areas at this time.

The governor’s… Read More

Clark County Public Health is urging anyone who develops symptoms of COVID-19 to contact their health care provider about testing as soon as possible. Early testing is critical to slowing the spread of COVID-19 in Clark County.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently expanded the list of symptoms consistent with COVID-19. People with these symptoms or combination of symptoms may have COVID-19 and should call their health care provider to request testing:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Or at least two of… Read More

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health has downgraded the advisories at Lacamas and Round lakes in Camas from danger to caution. Blooms of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are still present at the lake, but results from recent water samples indicate low levels of toxins in the water.

As long as algae are present, toxin levels could increase as conditions at the lake change. Public Health is advising people to avoid direct contact with water in areas with floating blue-green-colored scum. The toxins produced by blue-green algae can be harmful to people and… Read More

With the recent opening of outdoor recreation by Gov. Inslee and warm weather on the horizon, Clark County residents may soon be heading to local waterways for the first swim of the season. But area lakes and rivers are still cold, and water may be moving quickly.

Public Health encourages everyone to follow a few simple strategies to stay safe while enjoying the water now and throughout the summer.

Know the water conditions

• Lakes and rivers in Southwest Washington are still cold enough to shock and immobilize even the strongest of swimmers.… Read More

Clark County Public Health has closed Lacamas Lake and Round Lake in Camas after test results revealed elevated levels of cyanotoxins in the water.

Results from water samples taken from Lacamas Lake and Round Lake on Monday revealed cyanotoxins above the threshold levels recommended by the Washington Department of Health. Danger signs are being posted at public access points to the lake. Public Health is advising against all recreating in the lake, including swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing and water skiing.

Blooms of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green… Read More

Clark County residents may have concerns about visiting hospital emergency departments during the COVID-19 pandemic, but health officials are urging people to seek emergency care when necessary.

Clark County Public Health, Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center, PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center and Vancouver Clinic are reminding people that local emergency departments are taking precautions to safely see patients and remain fully operational to treat patients with non-COVID-19 emergencies.

Emergency departments at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center and Legacy Salmon Creek… Read More