MEDIA STATEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 4, 2020                       
 
Media Contact:                      Amy Cloud, Public Information Officer
 
Phone:                                    (360) 318-4356
 
E-mail address:                     WUC_JIC@co.whatcom.wa.us

Health Department Identifies Additional COVID-19 Cases at City Hall Tent Camp   

 
BELLINGHAM, WA - Whatcom County Health Department (WCHD) staff have identified two additional cases connected to the tent encampment at City Hall. Both individuals are now at the Byron Avenue Isolation and Quarantine Facility.  
 
The two will be interviewed by Case and Contact Investigators (CCI) to identify any close contacts. WCHD will follow up with those contacts in alignment with the usual CCI process. Close contact will be referred for testing and instructed to quarantine and monitor for symptoms.
 
For the City Hall encampment, also known as Camp 210, WCHD Director Erika Lautenbach strongly urges organizers to implement the guidance outlined in the health and safety plan provided by the Health Department earlier this week. Campers should use the Bellingham Public Library lawn as a dedicated quarantine site for any people who are known to be a close contact of a confirmed case but do not have symptoms of COVID-19. People with symptoms should call (360) 778-6128 to speak with a public health nurse who can refer them for testing and relocation to the Byron Avenue Isolation and Quarantine facility.
 
“We have a team dedicated to responding to this situation, and are working with organizers of Camp 210,” said Lautenbach. “We will provide more details as they become available.” 

This information is also available as a pdf.

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