Health And Safety Newsletter
Important Message
The decision to open or close schools is made by school district superintendents and private school boards. Every school makes their own decision in consultation with the DOH. We are no longer making decisions based on the decision tree that we were following in the beginning of the school year, as it is being updated by the DOH and is not yet complete. 

The surge of the coronavirus continues, and emerging evidence shows schools are not significant drivers of community transmission. We are staying in close communication with Kim Hankinson, our public health nurse liaison, and remain committed to our rigorous mitigation efforts. Kim knows the “ins and outs” of our school and will continue to make informed recommendations specific to WHWS.
Physical Distancing
The WA DOH provides guidance for schools that addresses distancing: “Maintaining six feet of distance is most important when students or staff will be engaged in something for more than a few minutes, like during class, reading or quiet time, or eating lunch. There may be brief moments, such as passing by others in the hallway or during play at recess when students are less than six feet apart from each other.”

WHWS staff always encourage 6-ft distancing throughout the class time. For transparency, we want to be clear that due to the nature of classroom learning, there will inevitably be moments throughout the school day where individuals may come within 6-ft of each other. 

To read the complete school guidance from WA DOH
Case Updates
For the COVID-19 case updates, please see this dashboard from the Whatcom County Health Dept.

Neighborhood Transmission Rates
Here is a zoomed-in view of COVID-19 case rates within our county from the Whatcom County Health Department. 
State Transmission Rates
This graph shows a 7-day moving average per 100K people with data as of Tuesday, December 9, 2020 from the Brown School of Public Health. 
Travel Information
The CDC provides the most recent information on travel advisories.
Testing
Please see the Whatcom County Health Dept. COVID-19 testing resources. 

How do COVID-19 tests work?
Antibody test
  • Indicates if a person has had COVID-19. This is a blood test.
Antigen test
  • Detects COVID-19 in individuals who are experiencing symptoms. This is a nasal swab test. 
Viral PCR test
  • According to the WA DOH, the PCR test needs at least five days post exposure. This is a nasal swab test.

Learn more from the WA DOH
Screening
Please see this flowchart from WA DOH. This is what we refer to when we are notified that someone has symptoms consistent with COVID-19. 

Knowing the Symptoms
Symptoms consistent with COVID-19, according to the DOH, are:
  • Cough
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Fever (100.4 or higher)
  • New Loss of Taste and/or Smell
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Fatigue
  • Diarrhea (2 or more loose stools in 24 hours)
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Congestion or runny nose
Please stay home if you have any of these symptoms not attributable to another condition. Contact your health care provider with questions or concerns. 

Quarantine Information from CDC
Though WHWS is not changing any quarantine protocols at this time, many of you may have read some information on alternatives for quarantine. This graph from the CDC shows risk levels of asymptomatic transmission post infection.
Website Update
We are working to update the COVID-19 page on the WHWS website. Please respond to this email if you have any recommendations on what we should add. Here is the current page.