||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT |||

ORCAS ISLAND
Since the last update, seven new cases have been identified on Orcas Island. This brings the total number of cases in San Juan County to 56. All of these new cases are tied to a nine-case cluster on Orcas who all shared indoor social contact.

At this time, contact tracing from all current positive cases has been completed and close contacts have been tested. Depending on those results, additional contact tracing and quarantining may be required. A number of individuals remain in quarantine for the period required after their last contact with a confirmed case.

The initial transmission for this cluster of cases is unknown. It is assumed that there is community spread of COVID on Orcas Island at this time.

LOPEZ ISLAND
At this time, all active investigations on Lopez Island have concluded and a number of individuals remain in quarantine for the period required after their last contact with a confirmed case.

SAN JUAN ISLAND
At this time, the active investigations for the most recent positive cases on San Juan Island have concluded. The majority of close contacts of the confirmed cases remain in quarantine. All test results for tested close contacts have been received.

The initial transmission for at least three of the recent San Juan Island cases is unknown. It is assumed that there is community spread of COVID on San Juan Island at this time.

OVERALL
At this time, none of these cases have resulted in a hospitalization.

As an informal aside, I’m not an employee of the PublSJC Health & Community Services (though clearly I’m biased) but I have had the privilege this year of getting an inside look at their work. The entirety of 2020 has been a remarkable effort, but the volume and quality of work happening at the moment to investigate and attempt to contain these cases is incredible. 


 

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