Island Senior is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Peggy Sue McRae… If you are anything like me being snowed in during a pandemic over the holidays involved plenty of Christmas movies, whole season binges, plus more than the usual baked goods, sweets, and festive beverages. Also, if you are like  Continue Reading

NOTE: the situation is changing quickly and cases are increasing. This will be a long update, but please read the entire document. There are a number of critical details that it is important the community be aware of. Thank you! Since the last update on Friday December 24th, there have been 54 new confirmed or  Continue Reading

Here’s a letter to you from SJI Fire & Rescue… San Juan Island Fire and Rescue (SJIF&R) remains committed to continuous improvement in our service to our islands’ communities to ensure professional, quality, and compassionate emergency response and service. Why does SJIF&R respond to medical calls? First: SJIF&R’s guiding principle is do what is right  Continue Reading

In the Mailbag today we have this letter from Nathan Butler, Superintendent and EMS Administrator… We have seen the recent letter from Fire Chief Norvin Collins regarding our agency and merger talks. He badly misrepresented our agency, and his letter is an object lesson in why we have opted not to try again at merging  Continue Reading

Since the last update on Friday December 17th, there have been 13 new confirmed or probable cases in San Juan County. Current case count is now 479. However, there are a number of suspect cases currently under investigation that are not yet counted in the total case count pending confirming test results, but may contribute  Continue Reading

San Juan County Health & Community Services and community partners distributed several thousand EverlyWell COVID-19 Home test kits over the last week. Some of these test kits had an expiration date of December 21, 2021.  We were informed that the expiration dates for these test kits have been extended for one year beyond the printed  Continue Reading

The Medical Teams International Mobile Dental Van is returning in 2022 thanks to a public-private partnership making dental access to care available across the islands.   2022 Dental Clinic Dates: Friday Harbor – January 19-22, March 7-10, October 5-8, and December 7-10 Lopez – March 11-12, September 23-24 Orcas – February 15-18, April 13-16, September 19-22,  Continue Reading

A record 77 people received free care during the first mobile preventative care clinic coordinated by San Juan County’s new Latinx Healthcare Advisory Committee.   The clinic, hosted December 2 at the Mullis Community Center by the Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center (FRC), Sea Mar Community Health Center and PeaceHealth, was created in response  Continue Reading

Dr. Frank James wrote this letter to share with you… Just to be clear. This is the quiet before the storm. Be wise and prudent and don’t go out to eat, don’t travel for the holidays, love the ones you are with now and have been with all along. January will be the hardest time  Continue Reading

Since the last update on Friday December 10th, there have been 16 new confirmed or probable cases in San Juan County. Current case count is now 466. While the transmission source is not known for all these cases, a number are tied to recent holiday travel or recent family/friend gatherings. There are approximately seven unvaccinated  Continue Reading

“Island Senior” is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Peggy Sue McRae… Here come the holidays! It’s a time to connect with the people that we love. It’s whirl of sparkling activities and time-honored traditions that can bring with it the stress of keeping up with our social calendars. Plus Covid.  Continue Reading

Just got a call from Bruce Martin with the Lions club. They’re having a guest speaker at their meeting today at noon – Dr. House from Eventide Health will be talking about the future of healthcare on the island and you’re invited to attend via zoom. Here’s the info you will need to join:

Since the last update on Friday December 3rd, there have been 13 new confirmed or probable cases in San Juan County. Current case count is now 450. There are approximately two unvaccinated close contacts of positive cases currently in quarantine in the islands. Lopez Island: There is one new case on Lopez Island since the  Continue Reading

COVID-19 updates from San Juan County around subjects on the minds of islanders  The New Omicron Variant and What it May Mean for the Islands The rise of a worrisome new variant is front and center in headlines for good reason, but as is so often the case, finding the balance between irrational fear and  Continue Reading

Can you believe it? Winter break is almost upon us. Wasn’t it just yesterday that we opened our school doors to full day, in-person instruction? Even though this fall has flown by, last week’s Thanksgiving celebration reminded me we have much to be grateful for in our public schools. Hopefully you have noticed the rebuilding  Continue Reading

Since the last update on Friday November 26th, there have been 6 new confirmed or probable cases in San Juan County. Current case count is now 437. There are approximately four unvaccinated close contacts of positive cases currently in quarantine in the islands. Lopez Island: There are no new cases on Lopez Island since the  Continue Reading