Posted on: September 14, 2023
Whatcom County residents will have the opportunity to dispose of old tires at two free drop-off events in late September and early October.
- When:
- Sunday, September 24 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Sunday, October 1 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Where:
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: September 7, 2023
We’re seeing an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations locally and nationwide, but thankfully our numbers remain near the lowest levels in the last three years. Fall is typically when we see an increase in the ‘big three’ respiratory viruses - COVID-19, fl...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: September 1, 2023
It’s fall in the northwest - the days are shorter, kids are back in school, and respiratory virus season is coming. The good news going into this season is that we have new and updated vaccines against COVID-19, flu, and RSV that could make this winter a ...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: August 18, 2023
A shift in wind direction is forecasted to bring wildfire smoke from fires burning in Canada and other areas of Washington to our area this weekend. This will be the first significant smoke event of the summer for our community, so if you haven’...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: August 14, 2023
The National Weather Service has extended the active heat advisory. The heat advisory will remain in effect through 11 PM this evening (8/16). Hot conditions with temperatures of 80 to 90 degrees are expected. Heat will increase the risk of heat-...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: August 11, 2023
Recent sampling at Wiser Lake detected microcystin, a toxin produced by algae, at levels that may be harmful to people and pets if it is ingested. People and their pets should avoid water contact at Wiser Lake.
WCHCS first posted caution signage ...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: August 10, 2023
Whatcom County will recognize International Overdose Awareness Day with an event on Wednesday, Aug. 30, noon to 6pm on the Lee Memorial Park lawn behind the Bellingham Public Library (210 Central Avenue).
Staff from Whatcom County Health and Comm...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: August 3, 2023
High biotoxin levels have closed north Whatcom County beaches to shellfish harvesting. The recent closure of north county beaches is due to an increase in Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) biotoxin in the most recent samples. In response, the Washingto...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: August 2, 2023
***UPDATE (August 2 at 1:42)***
The Whatcom County Health Department would like to retract the information sent at Below regarding shellfish harvest upgrade in northern Whatcom County. New information indicates a possible rise in the plankton that harbors ...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: July 31, 2023
After four years of outreach and community engagement, the Whatcom County Council has adopted a Food System Plan to strengthen Whatcom’s local farms, markets, and food banks. With over 100 action items, the plan prescribes a number of steps the County can...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: July 10, 2023
Whatcom County Health and Community Services is a sponsor of several upcoming All Hands Whatcom opioid education events, and we invite you to sign up and participate with us. The next event is An Evening with Sam Quinones on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 6 pm at Belli...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: June 28, 2023
As we celebrate Independence Day with friends and family, staying safe is a priority alongside having fun. Here are a few safety tips for your upcoming outdoor barbecue, water play, or fireworks experience:
Food-Borne Illnesses
If you’re on grill ...
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Health - Public Health News
Posted on: June 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: June 12, 2023
Since 2020, Whatcom County data has shown a doubling of people older than 60 experiencing homelessness. Seniors are also more likely to live on fixed incomes that limit their housing options, combined with chronic health conditions and associated medical ...
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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: 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 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 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 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 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 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: 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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