Submitted by San Juan County

Second confirmed positive case on Orcas Island: A close household contact of the first positive case has also tested positive for COVID-19. This positive result was anticipated by San Juan County Public Health Staff and close contact tracing was completed over the weekend to ensure the individuals did not have contact with the general public.

Stay at Home and Other Orders and Closures: This week the Governor has issued a Stay at Home Order and the San Juan County Council has discussed steps to protect the public health of the community. The San Juan County Board of Health will further discuss local steps this week. As with all of these interventions, they have significant impacts to the economic and social welfare of our communities.

More detailed information about potential San Juan County actions and a more useful analysis of what the Governor’s Order means for the islands will be coming this week. Apologies for the delay, but we want to make sure we’ve fully reviewed and understand all of the implications before getting into more specifics.

In the interim, we ask all islanders to use common sense when making decisions. Assume that the disease is here, and take all actions possible to minimize social contact and maximize distancing. There will be no unilateral enforcement actions taken at this time — the priority is education, communication, and encouraging the islands to do the right thing.