Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health is closing Vancouver Lake to swimmers due to elevated levels of E. coli bacteria detected during routine testing. Some E. coli bacteria can cause serious gastrointestinal illness if water is accidentally swallowed.  

Due to the elevated bacteria levels, Public Health is closing the lake to swimming and wading. People who fish at the lake should take precautions to avoid water contact.

“It’s especially important to keep children out of the lake because they are more likely than adults to swallow some of the water,” said Dr.… Read More

Clark County Public Health has submitted its application to move into Phase 2 of the state’s four-phased reopening plan.

Clark County Public Health submitted a request for a variance to move to Phase 2 on Friday, May 22. Secretary of Health John Wiesman placed the county’s request on pause on Saturday, May 23, due to the outbreak at Firestone Pacific Foods in Vancouver.

Public Health provided Secretary Wiesman with additional information and… Read More

Clark County Public Health is preparing a new application to move into Phase 2 at the request of Secretary of Health John Wiesman.

Clark County Public Health submitted a request for a variance to move to Phase 2 on Friday, May 22. Secretary Wiesman placed the county’s request on pause on Saturday, May 23, due to the outbreak at Firestone Pacific Foods in Vancouver.

Public Health provided Secretary Wiesman with additional information and data about its response to the Firestone outbreak on Thursday, May 28. During a meeting Monday evening with Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County… Read More

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County remains in Phase 1 of the four-phased Safe Start Washington plan for reopening the state.

Gov. Jay Inslee replaced the Stay Home order with the “Start Safe, Stay Healthy” proclamation that outlines the state’s phased reopening plan. Under the proclamation, counties remain in their current phases and do not automatically move to Phase 2. Clark County residents and businesses should continue to follow… Read More

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