April 4, 2020: San Juan County Health and Community Services staff have been notified of four new positive COVID-19 test results in San Juan County, including one on San Juan Island and three on Orcas Island. This brings the total number of cases in San Juan County to ten. The County data reporting page will  Continue Reading

COVID-19 updates from San Juan County around subjects on the minds of islanders Since the beginning of the pandemic, I’ve had friends sick. Some were able to get tested, others not so much. All of them felt the burden, like a weight on the chest, of having a potentially life-threatening illness, and the fear that  Continue Reading

As Washington State approaches the anticipated peak of COVID-19 medical surge cases, San Juan County urges everyone to take more aggressive precautions to protect their families and neighbors when coming to the islands from the mainland. “As cases multiply throughout the state, including Skagit, Island, and Whatcom Counties, islanders traveling back to the islands from  Continue Reading

Deb has added a quick addendum to this announcement… Hello again, Islanders! Due to current “Zoombombing” & possibly still unresolved privacy issues during Zoom meetings, I’ve decided to keep researching online options for the “ITM Circle” I proposed in the posting (below), I’m hoping those interested in the Circle will still contact me so I  Continue Reading

COVID-19 updates from San Juan County around subjects on the minds of islanders We had the opportunity to talk with the fourth San Juan County resident who tested positive and is currently recovering at home from COVID-19. The patient has worked as a firefighter/ EMT for 25 years and has called San Juan Island home  Continue Reading

Tanja Williamson sums it up like this: Hey there, I’m helping everyone’s favorite boxer keep islanders entertained AND healthy so they’ll be able to fit into their pre-pandemic clothes. If you haven’t already downloaded zoom, DO IT! The workouts are only 30 minutes and even if you don’t do every move, you’ll definitely work your  Continue Reading

FRIDAY HARBOR, Wash., April 2, 2020–To minimize face-to-face contact and ensure the safety of our patients, caregivers, and community members, PeaceHealth Medical Group in Friday Harbor will offer mobile COVID-19 testing for PeaceHealth Medical Group patients beginning Friday, April 3, 2020. Testing will be offered as ordered by the patient’s provider in the northeast corner  Continue Reading

We’re all getting cabin fever these days, and going outside to explore our beautiful island can bring a smile to your face, and perhaps help bolster your immune system at the same time. Our sculpture park on Roche Harbor Road is a perfect place to take a walk. There are enough paths in the 20-acre  Continue Reading

April 1, 2020: San Juan County Health and Community Services staff have been notified of a second positive COVID-19 test result on San Juan Island and a third on Orcas Island. This brings the total number of cases in San Juan County to six. The County data reporting page will be updated at the end  Continue Reading

Island Senior is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Peggy Sue McRae… How is everybody doing? As an introvert who already works at home having to stay home has not changed my lifestyle very much. Yet, it is different. I am aware now that I touch my face way too much  Continue Reading

COVID-19 updates from San Juan County around subjects on the minds of islanders Many in the islands are wondering how San Juan County is preparing in case access to mainland medical care becomes limited. This is known as medical surge, which the CDC defines  as, “…the ability to provide adequate medical evaluation and care during  Continue Reading

In this time of COVID-19 we’ve all received tons of emails from businesses offering ‘tips’ to manage the crisis that are sales pitches in disguise. But there is very little on how to deal with the anxiety that comes with daily changes and restrictions. As a gift to our beloved community, I have put together  Continue Reading

COVID-19 updates from San Juan County around subjects on the minds of islandersNavigating This article is from Brandon Cadwell, Chief of Visitor and Youth Engagement at San Juan Island National Historical Park. Now is the time to take the road less traveled. Or perhaps, the trail or sidewalk less traveled. As the Chief of Visitor  Continue Reading

San Juan County Health and Community Services staff have been notified of a positive COVID-19 test result on San Juan Island. This brings the total number of cases in San Juan County to 4. The County data reporting page will be updated on Monday, once all of the test results and numbers from all local  Continue Reading

Dear Customers, Thank you for your support and patience during this time of COVID-19. We continue to work hard to ensure that you and our employees stay safe and well stocked during this period. We have already discussed many of the measures we’ve implemented in this regard but will be initiating more – and could  Continue Reading

Behavioral health leader announces free, downloadable templates and protocols as part of COVID-19 response… EVERETT – Today, behavioral health organization Compass Health announced it is sharing COVID-19 communications resources on its website to support widespread safety and well-being efforts.   Recognizing the unprecedented scale and impact of COVID-19, Compass Health’s behavioral health professionals created these materials  Continue Reading

FRIDAY HARBOR, WA – San Juan Island Fire and Rescue (SJIF&R) continues to adjust emergency operations and preparations needed during the global COVID-19 pandemic. “During the current health crisis emergency SJIF&R continues adapting our emergency response capabilities to meet the needs of our residents and responders,” said SJIF&R Chief Norvin Collins. Within less than 24-hours  Continue Reading

FRIDAY MARCH 27: The San Juan County COVID-19 Response Team has been notified by Peace Island Medical Center in Friday Harbor that an email is being forwarded within the San Juan Island Community that makes reference to “…six confirmed cases of the COVID 19 virus here in Friday Harbor. The info I have is from an  Continue Reading

A message from Dr. House at Eventide Health… Testing. We’re doing as much as we can. We’re trying to ramp up and get massive supplies in for wider testing. I think this is key. Working with the health department daily and calling labs and suppliers from literally all over the world. We offered to help  Continue Reading

COVID-19 updates from San Juan County around subjects on the minds of islanders By Mark Tompkins, SJC Health and Community Services Director, and Dr. Frank James, SJC Health Officer As San Juan County begins to see positive COVID-19 test results in our community, we want to explain how San Juan County Health and Community Services  Continue Reading

Thursday March 26, 2020 – The third confirmed positive COVID-19 test result in San Juan County was reported to San Juan County public health staff today. This result is the first confirmed positive case on Lopez Island. As with previous positive results, public health staff have conducted contact tracing to identify close contacts of the  Continue Reading

Frequently Asked Questions: What do these orders mean for the San Juan Islands? On Monday, March 23, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee issued a “Stay at home” proclamation, an order for all of us to limit our daily exposure due to COVID-19. On March 25th, the San Juan County Health Officer issued an order restricting  Continue Reading