Other News
May 2, 2024: WA State Governor and Assistant Secretary of WSF Talk Ferry Service & Solar Power with SJC Officials
Apr 11, 2024: Community Meeting: Sea Level Rise Adaptation for Outer Bay and Agate Beach Areas on Lopez Island
Mar 11, 2024: Queers in Unexpected Places: Searching for (and Finding) Gender and Sexual Non-Conformity in the Rural and Early PNW
Mar 7, 2024: DRAFT Richardson Marsh Preserve Stewardship and Management Plan Now Open for Public Comment
Dec 5, 2023: County Council Member Jane Fuller and Senator Liz Lovelett to Host Public Meeting on Lopez
Nov 3, 2023: County and Town Send Open Letter to State Officials Regarding Impacts of Poor Ferry Service
Sep 29, 2023: Conservation Land Bank Announces Special Meeting to Discuss Watmough Bay Preserve Addition
Sep 14, 2023: The mobile dental van is coming to Lopez! // ¡La camioneta dental móvil ya llega a López!
Aug 22, 2023: San Juan County Adopts 32-Hour Work Week in the Name of Fiscal Health, Recruitment, and Islander Wellness
May 25, 2023: Recap of Lopez Neighborhood Meeting Regarding the Relocation of Public Works Facilities
May 23, 2023: District 3 Councilmember Jane Fuller Opens Office on Lopez and Hosts Community Conversation
Apr 17, 2023: Give Lopez Starts April 17th - A two week fundraiser benefiting 15 Lopez Island Non-Profits
Sep 22, 2022: Interim Watmough Preserve Addition Stewardship and Management Plan Now Open for Public Comment
Weekly Case Update: One New Case on Lopez, 16 in County
Dec 18, 2021
By San Juan County
Since the last update on Friday December 10th, there have been 16 new confirmed or probable cases in San Juan County.
Current case count is now 466.
While the transmission source is not known for all these cases, a number are tied to recent holiday travel or recent family/friend gatherings.
There are approximately seven unvaccinated close contacts of positive cases currently in quarantine in the islands. Three of the sixteen new cases have been identified as being fully vaccinated.
LOPEZ ISLAND: There is one new case on Lopez Island since the last update. There are no positive cases under active monitoring on Lopez Island at this time.
ORCAS ISLAND: There are twelve new cases on Orcas Island since the last update. There are ten positive cases under active monitoring on Orcas Island.
SAN JUAN ISLAND: There is one new case on San Juan Island since the last update. There is one positive case under active monitoring on San Juan Island at this time.
NOTE: Two of the sixteen new cases have not yet been located to a specific island.
NOTE ON HOLIDAY GATHERING AND TRAVEL: At this point it seems clear that the new Omicron variant will cause a surge in cases. While we don’t know exactly what that means for hospitalizations, and ultimately deaths, it is certainly a cause for concern. Quick thoughts:
1. Omicron is in Western WA, and likely is in the islands. This will almost certainly lead to cases moving quickly through family groups and those socializing indoors unmasked. As with previous variants, being vaccinated offers good protection against serious illness.
2. Now is a good time to be more cautious about masking in the workplace, making smart decisions around socializing indoors, and being especially thoughtful about avoiding exposing those who are unvaccinated or high risk to the illness.
3. Using at home test kits to minimize risk is smart. Having people test before gathering, testing quickly when symptomatic, or following up any potential exposure with testing makes great sense. The County Health team has been giving away thousands of kits this week, and test kits may be available online or in-person at local and regional pharmacies as well.
4. A rise in cases is coming, and it may be quite dramatic. However, for those who are fully vaccinated and are following the usual precautions, there is no cause for panic or fear. The vast majority of islanders are perfectly situated to weather this next round of cases extremely well.
While the transmission source is not known for all these cases, a number are tied to recent holiday travel or recent family/friend gatherings.
There are approximately seven unvaccinated close contacts of positive cases currently in quarantine in the islands. Three of the sixteen new cases have been identified as being fully vaccinated.
LOPEZ ISLAND: There is one new case on Lopez Island since the last update. There are no positive cases under active monitoring on Lopez Island at this time.
ORCAS ISLAND: There are twelve new cases on Orcas Island since the last update. There are ten positive cases under active monitoring on Orcas Island.
SAN JUAN ISLAND: There is one new case on San Juan Island since the last update. There is one positive case under active monitoring on San Juan Island at this time.
NOTE: Two of the sixteen new cases have not yet been located to a specific island.
NOTE ON HOLIDAY GATHERING AND TRAVEL: At this point it seems clear that the new Omicron variant will cause a surge in cases. While we don’t know exactly what that means for hospitalizations, and ultimately deaths, it is certainly a cause for concern. Quick thoughts:
1. Omicron is in Western WA, and likely is in the islands. This will almost certainly lead to cases moving quickly through family groups and those socializing indoors unmasked. As with previous variants, being vaccinated offers good protection against serious illness.
2. Now is a good time to be more cautious about masking in the workplace, making smart decisions around socializing indoors, and being especially thoughtful about avoiding exposing those who are unvaccinated or high risk to the illness.
3. Using at home test kits to minimize risk is smart. Having people test before gathering, testing quickly when symptomatic, or following up any potential exposure with testing makes great sense. The County Health team has been giving away thousands of kits this week, and test kits may be available online or in-person at local and regional pharmacies as well.
4. A rise in cases is coming, and it may be quite dramatic. However, for those who are fully vaccinated and are following the usual precautions, there is no cause for panic or fear. The vast majority of islanders are perfectly situated to weather this next round of cases extremely well.