Posted on: May 26, 2023
Where to get vaccinated. Children 6 months and older, adolescents, teens and adults can get vaccinated for COVID-19 at most places you would go for a flu vaccine, like grocery stores, pharmacies and health care clinics. Grocery stores and pharmac...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: May 3, 2023
Unsafe levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) biotoxin have prompted the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) to close recreational harvest for all species of shellfish throughout Whatcom County.
The Whatcom County Health Department...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: May 3, 2023
The end of the Federal Public Health Emergency Order on May 11 will change how COVID-19 testing, treatment and vaccination services are paid for and how much they cost. Costs for these services will become more like coverage for other illnesses where what...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: May 2, 2023
Second Annual Event at East Whatcom Regional Resource Center a Collaboration of Local Health Organizations, Nonprofits, and Community Members
On Saturday, May 20, the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center will transform into a healthcare center, offering c...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: May 1, 2023
Where to get vaccinated. Children 6 months and older, adolescents, teens and adults can get vaccinated for COVID-19 at most places you would go for a flu vaccine, like grocery stores, pharmacies and health care clinics. Grocery stores and pharmac...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: April 11, 2023
Whatcom County Health and Community Services is offering free trainings that allow homeowners to perform a required septic evaluation and become eligible for septic system rebates.
At this free, two-hour workshop, homeowners will:
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: April 3, 2023
Where to get vaccinated. Children 6 months and older, adolescents, teens and adults can get vaccinated for COVID-19 at most places you would go for a flu vaccine, like grocery stores, pharmacies and health care clinics. Grocery stores and pharmac...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: March 30, 2023
Every year the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation ranks every county in the nation based on how they compare to others within the same state. The recently released 2023 County Health Rankings (CHR) have ranked Whatcom County 11th out of the 39 counties in Was...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: March 23, 2023
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has issued a public safety alert warning Americans about the dangers of a drug called Xylazine. Other counties in Washington State are seeing this drug in their communities, and we think xylazine is likely...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: March 9, 2023
Earlier this week we provided the Whatcom County Council with an update on our housing and shelter programs. We also want to provide you, our community, with this information. Our department supports a broad range of programs that help people who are unho...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: March 2, 2023
Update March 8, 2023:
No toxin was detected in sample results from algae tested at Padden Creek.
Original Text Below, Published on 3/2/2023
The City of Bellingham and Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS) are responding to ...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: March 1, 2023
We want to understand your feelings and experiences around vaccines, and we have created a survey for you to share your opinions with us. This survey is open to anyone in Whatcom County who is 18 or older. It is completely anonymous and takes about five m...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: February 28, 2023
Where to get vaccinated. Children 6 months and older, adolescents, teens and adults can get vaccinated for COVID-19 at most places you would go for a flu vaccine, like grocery stores, pharmacies and health care clinics. Grocery stores and pharmac...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: February 15, 2023
In early December we saw alarmingly high increases in viral respiratory illnesses, especially flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19. November and December combined surges of these viruses led to the highest numbers of daily emergency departm...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: February 3, 2023
On Tuesday, January 31, Whatcom County Health Department announced a name change to Whatcom County Health and Community Services. This change better reflects the department’s duties and responsibilities.
With the launch of the Response ...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: January 30, 2023
Where to get vaccinated. Children 6 months and older, adolescents, teens and adults can get vaccinated for COVID-19 at most places you would go for a flu vaccine, like grocery stores, pharmacies and health care clinics. Grocery stores and pharmac...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: January 18, 2023
Bellingham has a new program that will send a behavioral health specialist and a public health nurse to respond to specific non-violent behavioral health 911 calls. The Alternative Response Team (ART) is an innovative program based out of the Whatcom Coun...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: December 22, 2022
With the very cold weather we have seen in the last week, we want to thank our nonprofit partners who have operated severe winter overnight shelters and day-use warming facilities for our unhoused neighbors - Road2Home and Ferndale Community Services.&...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: December 29, 2022
Where to get vaccinated. Children 6 months and older, adolescents, teens and adults can get vaccinated for COVID-19 at most places you would go for a flu vaccine, like grocery stores, pharmacies and health care clinics. Grocery stores and pharmac...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: December 9, 2022
Communities across our state and around the U.S. are experiencing an unprecedented surge in viral respiratory illnesses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza and COVID-19. As health officers and healthcare leaders working to improve the ...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: November 29, 2022
The Healthy Children’s Initiative (Proposition 5), to establish a dedicated fund to support young children and their families, was approved today. Whatcom County Health Department (WCHD) will be the administrator of that fund. WCHD is committed ...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: November 28, 2022
Where to get vaccinated. Children 5 years and older, adolescents, teens and adults can get vaccinated for COVID-19 at most places you would go for a flu vaccine, like grocery stores, pharmacies and health care clinics. Grocery stores and pharmaci...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: November 22, 2022
Whatcom County Health Department and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) ask the public to avoid contact with sick and dead birds to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), also called bird flu.
Western W...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: November 22, 2022
Respiratory Illness Continues to Severely Impact Hospitals, Now Whatcom Stores Also Experiencing Shortages of Kids’ Fever Medications
Two weeks ago we sent out a message to let you know that we’re seeing a l...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: November 10, 2022
Two Whatcom County residents have been sickened by Salmonella from backyard poultry and a third Whatcom County case is suspected. One of these individuals was hospitalized but has since been released. Thirty-seven Salmonella cases in Washington State have...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: November 4, 2022
The Whatcom County Health Department and City of Bellingham have partnered with Road2Home (R2H) to offer additional overnight shelter and daytime warming options when weather is severe enough to threaten health and safety. These temporary facilities will ...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: November 3, 2022
A surge of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) cases in children has contributed to a shortage of hospital beds for children in our region and put a strain on our pediatric healthcare system. This means kids that need special care might need to be transferr...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: October 31, 2022
Where to get vaccinated. Children 5 years and older, adolescents, teens and adults can get vaccinated for COVID-19 at most places you would go for a flu vaccine, like grocery stores, pharmacies and health care clinics. Grocery stores and pharmaci...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: October 28, 2022
Whatcom County recorded its first influenza (“flu”) death of the 2022-2023 flu season this week. Across the country, flu illness and death trends are much higher than in the last two years, and statistics suggest this winter could be worse than a typical ...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: October 19, 2022
The air quality alert for smoke in Whatcom County remains in effect until 5 pm tomorrow.
Poor air quality due to wildfire smoke can affect everyone. Smoke impacts the lungs, and it can increase risk of conditions like heart disease and stroke. If you must ...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: October 12, 2022
Parents - and everyone else - did you know that you can still order free at-home COVID-19 tests to use when your kiddos - or yourself - are sick? Free at-home COVID-19 tests are still available through the Washington State Say Yes! COVID Test Program. You...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: October 5, 2022
We are hosting free Monkeypox Virus vaccine clinics every Tuesday for the next four weeks:
- October 11
- October 18
- October 25
- November 1
These clinics are for people who are unable to get the vaccine from their healthcare provider. Advanced registration is requi...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: October 3, 2022
October is National Children’s Health Month, and today we celebrate ways to keep kids healthy. We know some children missed out on well-child visits in the last two years during the coronavirus pandemic, but babies and kids can’t wait ...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: October 3, 2022
Where to get vaccinated. Children 5 years and older, adolescents, teens, and adults can get vaccinated for COVID-19 at most places you would go for a flu vaccine, like grocery stores, pharmacies, and health care clinics. Grocery stores and pharma...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: September 29, 2022
The Whatcom County Health Department (WCHD) is hosting a Monkeypox Virus (MPV) vaccination clinic on Tuesday, Oct. 4, at 1500 N. State St. Bellingham.
WCHD has a limited supply of MPV vaccine and asks that anyone who signs up self-identify as mee...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: September 28, 2022
The Whatcom County Health Department is offering free trainings that allow homeowners to perform a required septic evaluation and become eligible for septic system rebates.
At this free, two-hour workshop, homeowners will:
- Learn how to maintain yo...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: September 13, 2022
A person in their 20s has become the second Whatcom County resident with confirmed Monkeypox Virus (MPV). This person was not hospitalized and is isolating at home. We are working to identify anyone who may be a close contact of this person.
It i...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: September 7, 2022
Anyone 12 and older can now get the new Moderna and Pfizer booster shot that helps to protect against the COVID-19 Omicron variants. These new booster shots are coming to local pharmacies soon and will be offered at our pop-up clinic this Friday, Sept. 9,...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: September 2, 2022
Where to get vaccinated. Children 5 years and older, adolescents, teens and adults can get vaccinated for COVID-19 at most places you would go for a flu vaccine, like grocery stores, pharmacies and health care clinics. Grocery stores and pharmaci...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: August 31, 2022
Today, Aug. 31, our testing partner, Avero Diagnostics (formerly Northwest Laboratory) will end drive-through COVID-19 tests at the Bellingham International Airport community site. Avero Diagnostics will continue to offer this service at their M...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: August 22, 2022
In the coming weeks, there will be several days when our offices will be closed to the public while several of our programs move from one building to another. Most of our programs will continue to be available via phone and email on these days - only our ...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: August 19, 2022
We will soon make changes to the COVID-19 data dashboard on our website. A lot has changed since the pandemic started more than two years ago, and some aspects of the dashboard are not useful anymore. Other information is now easily avai...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: August 12, 2022
Recent sampling at Wiser Lake detected anatoxin, a toxin produced by algae, at levels that may be harmful to people and pets. Residents are advised to avoid water contact at Wiser Lake and not allow pets to swim in or drink from the lake.
Additional Info...
Health - Public Health News
Posted on: August 11, 2022
Calling all US Military Veterans! You can access urgent care right here in Bellingham/Whatcom County without going to a VA clinic.
If you are registered with the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), here is how you can access urgent and emerge...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: August 3, 2022
On Monday we sent you a message that Whatcom County could see our first case of monkeypox virus (MPV) very soon, and now we can confirm that a Whatcom County resident has a confirmed case of MPV.
A person in their 50s tested positive yes...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: August 2, 2022
Where to get vaccinated. Children 5 years and older, adolescents, teens and adults can get vaccinated for COVID-19 at most places you would go for a flu vaccine, like grocery stores, pharmacies and health care clinics. Grocery stores and pharmaci...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: August 1, 2022
You may have heard or seen reports in the news about a virus called Monkeypox that is circulating in the U.S. and in Washington State. Right now, we do not have any confirmed cases of Monkeypox (MPV) in Whatcom County, but we may see our first case of thi...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: July 29, 2022
Today we released an analysis of local COVID-19 data for the first two years of the pandemic, from March 2020 through February 2022. The report focuses on four major focus areas: confirmed cases, hospitalizations, deaths, and vaccinations.
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: July 29, 2022
Starting Monday, Aug. 1, the COVID-19 community testing site at the Bellingham Airport will have reduced weekday operating hours and will be closed on weekends. This change is due to decreased demand for testing services.
COVID-19 testing appointments are ...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: July 28, 2022
Do you have COVID-19? Speak with a provider to see if treatment is right for you.
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) offers same day or next day virtual appointments for anyone who wants to speak to a medical professional about COVID...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: July 22, 2022
The Whatcom County Health Department, in partnership with the Opportunity Council, published the 2022 Point in Time (PiT) Homelessness Count report today, Friday, July 22. The report provides a snapshot of persons experiencing homelessness in Whatcom Coun...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: July 21, 2022
Our Food System Committee is partnering with local nonprofits to host a community listening session from noon to 2pm this Sunday, July 24, at Shuksan Middle School. Come share your thoughts and opinions on what should be included in Whatcom County’s next ...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: July 18, 2022
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline debuted Saturday, July 16. This free and confidential 24/7 national lifeline connects people in need to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
People can use the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for ...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: July 5, 2022
Now is the time to prepare for smoke season! Do not wait until unhealthy air is in the forecast because you risk not being able to find what you need. Here are some things to do now to prepare for smoke season later this summer:
- Stock up on N95 and similar...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: July 1, 2022
As we celebrate Independence Day with friends and family, here are a few safety tips for your outdoor barbecue or fireworks experience:
Food-Borne Illnesses
If you are on grill duty, make sure you are storing and cooking your food properly and was...
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Posted on: June 21, 2022
COVID-19 vaccines are now approved for children as young as six months old. Not all clinics and providers are ready right now to administer the vaccine, and we ask that parents remain patient as providers work through the initial rush for vaccination, now...
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Posted on: June 3, 2022
Where to get vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines are available for adolescents, teens and adults at most places that offer flu vaccines such as grocery stores, pharmacies and health care clinics. Some of these providers also vaccinate 5- to 11-year-olds. There ...
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Health - Public Health News