Clark County Public Health has upgraded its advisory at Round Lake in Camas after test results revealed elevated levels of cyanotoxins in the water. Test results continue to show elevated levels of toxins in the water at Lacamas Lake, so the warning advisory at that lake will remain in place. Public Health is advising people to avoid direct contact with all water in both Lacamas and Round Lake.

Results from water samples taken from Lacamas and Round lakes on Monday revealed cyanotoxins above the threshold levels recommended by the Washington Department of Health. The caution signs… Read More

Clark County Public Health is preparing an application that, if approved, would allow the county to move into Phase 3 of the state’s four-phased reopening plan.

Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County health officer and Public Health director, submitted a letter Tuesday to the Clark County Board of Health recommending that the county apply for full implementation of Phase 3. The Board of Health voted during its meeting Wednesday morning to… Read More

Clark County’s request to move to Phase 2 of the Safe Start Washington plan has been approved.

State Secretary of Health John Wiesman notified Public Health on Friday morning that Clark County’s request to move to Phase 2 is approved. The change is effective immediately. Clark County is now in Phase 2, which allows for small gatherings and the reopening of a variety of businesses.

“I’m pleased to see Clark County move into… Read More

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health is responding to a COVID-19 outbreak at Pacific Crest Building Supply in Ridgefield.

Today, Public Health has confirmed five cases of COVID-19 among employees working in the company’s production facility. The first case was reported to Public Health this morning.

Production at the facility is stopped, and Public Health is partnering with Pacific Crest to develop a plan for testing all employees.

Employees who have tested positive are instructed to isolate at home until they are no longer contagious. Public Health staff… Read More

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