PORT ANGELES – At Monday morning’s COVID-19 briefing we learned there were no new positive tests of the virus in Clallam County. Still just 14 positives out of 861 tests administered.
Health Officer Dr. Unthank said there is a shortage of PPE’s for those workers who need them, especially gowns and gloves.
“So being thoughtful about how you’re using gloves, and especially encouraging folks who are not working in the medical sector, if you didn’t use gloves before in your work, please don’t go out and buy them now. We are seeing a big big pull on the glove supply and that is making it harder for us to find gloves for our medical workers and our first responders.”
Unthank says starting today they have again expanded testing to now include anyone who is currently working. Up to this point, they were already testing anyone who was sick enough to need medical care and those living in close quarters like long term care facilities and jails. Now they’re expanding testing to any essential worker who is experiencing even mild COVID-like symptoms.
“And so if you are out working right now, you are an essential worker. So if you are working and you develop a fever or a cough or any kind of cold or flu-like symptoms, first thing to do is to leave your workplace and not spread it to other people. Let your employer know and then do, go get tested. So, how to get tested. All of our primary care clinics now are offering COVID testing. Call your primary care clinic ahead of time, don’t just show up, and they’ll set the way to get you tested.”
If you don’t have a primary care physician, Unthank recommends you go to the OMC walk-in clinic in Port Angeles or Forks Hospital and they’ll take care of you.
She says if you have insurance, the cost of the test will be covered. If you don’t have insurance, open enrollment has been extended to May 8 for free or low-cost insurance through Washingtonhealthplanfinder.org