The novel coronavirus that produced COVID-19 has been in the news for more than 100 days. Our community experienced its first local loss to COVID on March 19. Earlier that week, Whatcom Unified Command (WUC) was activated to mitigate and prevent the spread, support the community’s most vulnerable populations, provide for first responders and healthcare […]
News Releases
Economic impact survey shows COVID-19 challenges for local business
Bellingham, WA — The first county-wide survey of economic impacts from COVID-19 shows that many local businesses anticipate a sustained downturn throughout the spring and summer of 2020. The survey was conducted by the Regional Economic Partnership (REP) at the Port of Bellingham, a division of Whatcom Unified Command. Based on survey results, REP reported […]
Whatcom County Public Health Advisory Board Opens Application for COVID Business Support Task Force
The Whatcom County Public Health Advisory Board (PHAB) last week voted to create a COVID Business Support Task Force, which will provide tools, best practices, and guidance for bringing businesses back to work while maintaining and improving infection control and social distancing. The Task Force will provide peer- and association-led opportunities to convene and share […]
Whatcom Unified Command prepares for long term; Work continues on COVID-19 objectives
Six weeks after Whatcom Unified Command (WUC) was activated to provide an integrated, coordinated, multi-jurisdictional response to COVID-19, the organization is re-tooling to be able to meet essential needs during the anticipated lengthy run of this novel coronavirus. From the outset, WUC has been led by a dozen Incident Commanders (IC) rotating through the assignment. […]
Whatcom Unified Command opens community’s first isolation, quarantine facility; Medical referral required
A motel facility opened Wednesday, April 22, on Byron Avenue in Bellingham, to provide a safe place for individuals to isolate or quarantine if they cannot do so in their own home and are referred based on a medical provider’s referral. This is the community’s first Isolation and Quarantine (I/Q) facility. Isolation and quarantine help protect the […]
County Health Director recommends summer event cancellations; Aligns with Whatcom Unified Command to prevent spread of COVID-19
Whatcom Unified Command (WUC), which includes the Whatcom County Health Department as a lead partner, is working to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 locally. Consistent with that key objective, and in line with recent simulation models, the Health Department recommends cancellation of summer events throughout Whatcom County. In a letter to community leaders […]