Beginning Monday, August 10, the Whatcom County Health Department (WCHD) and Whatcom Unified Command (WUC) will begin field testing a low-barrier, mobile COVID-19 testing model. A fully operational mobile testing program is expected to begin within two weeks thereafter at locations throughout Whatcom County. The new, mobile COVID-19 testing will use an online scheduling […]
Latest Updates
Health Officer recommends that schools continue with remote learning in the fall
Decisions about how to effectively teach students while keeping them safe during the COVID-19 pandemic are difficult to make. Public health experts and schools in our community and across the country are weighing these decisions carefully. Whatcom County Health Department Recommends Starting the School Year Remotely On Tuesday August 4, 2020, Dr. Greg Stern, Health […]
New Guidance for face coverings: when and where you should wear them
On July 25th, Washington State updated the requirements for wearing face coverings. Face coverings are now required in any common spaces where you can’t socially distance. This includes places such as: Elevators. Hallways, courtyards, and shared spaces in apartments, condominium buildings, university housing, hotels, and motels. Assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and adult family homes. […]
Updated Phase 2 Guidance
On Thursday, Governor Jay Inslee announced an update to the Safe Start plan for reopening Washington State. The new measures aim to have social gatherings take place less often, last for shorter amounts of time, and to take place in safer environments. For Whatcom County, which is currently in Phase 2 of the plan, it means some changes will […]
Drive-Through COVID-19 Testing Site Will Not Operate July 24 and 25
BELLINGHAM, WA – The low-barrier drive-through testing offered the past two weekends at the Civic Field Stadium parking lot will not be offered this Friday and Saturday, July 24 and 25. The pilot testing project was provided by Whatcom Unified Command (WUC) and the Whatcom County Health Department (WCHD). They are currently developing new options […]
Results from Drive-Through Testing Pilot
Whatcom County concluded its second round of pilot COVID-19 drive-through testing at the Bellingham Civic Field Complex on Saturday afternoon. No-cost testing was provided without an appointment or healthcare provider referral to over 1,800 people over four days that the testing site was active. Who Came to Get Tested? We tested 1,814 people over both […]