Okanogan County reported its first positive COVID-19 case on Wednesday (March 25). The individual is following medical guidance and doesn’t present any health threat to the public at this time, according to Okanogan County Public Health. With the governor’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order and limited testing supplies, it would not provide any additional protection […]
Okanogan County Public Health
Okanogan County has no confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday morning, March 24
But testing limited by lack of supplies Editor’s note: The information in this article was accurate as of press time on March 24. Okanogan County Public health has since indicated that there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the county. All statistics surrounding this epidemic are expected to change as it continues. Click here […]
Two pertussis cases reported in Methow Valley, one in elementary school
Okanogan County Public Health confirmed two cases of pertussis (whooping cough) in the Methow Valley two weeks ago, one at Methow Valley Elementary School. The department has not said whether the cases are in an adult or child, but confirmed that they are in the same family, Okanogan County Community Health Director Lauri Jones said. […]
Flu hits county hard, including child’s death
Okanogan County has been walloped by the flu, with more than twice the number of cases compared to last year. There were about 260 positive flu tests in the county as of December, Okanogan County Community Health Director Lauri Jones said. The county is still awaiting numbers for January cases. While the flu can make […]
Local, state programs attack opioids crisis in Okanogan County
Agencies focus resources on treatment, prevention The statistics connected with opioids can be grim, but an intense local and state effort has helped reverse that tide in Okanogan County, providing many new resources to confront the crisis. There were nine confirmed opioid deaths in Okanogan County in 2018, and four others are awaiting toxicology reports, […]
County considering changes to application process for nightly rentals
Okanogan County is considering changes to its procedure for approving and permitting nightly rentals. Nightly rentals, where a property owner rents…
Board of Health approves fee schedule
The Okanogan County Board of Health has approved a 2018 fee schedule and budget for Public Health. Fees, which cover things like well-site evaluations, food-handler cards and birth certificates, haven’t changed at all. The budget includes an additional $30,000 to cover a transitional period because three long-time employees are expected to retire next year, said […]
County investigates possible West Nile Virus case
Okanogan County Public Health is investigating a suspected case of West Nile virus (WNV) in an Okanogan County resident, said Lauri Jones, community health director. Confirmatory testing is being conducted by the Washington State Department of Health and the results will be made public when they are known, Jones said this week. Jones issued a […]
County imposing stricter rules for nightly rentals
People who want to rent their homes to tourists are facing stricter county regulations and, at the same time, more competition from a glut of rentals — both legal and illegal — through online sites websites like Airbnb.
Nightly rentals have always had to obtain water and safety permits…
Low immunization rate in Methow Valley district worries health officials
Immunization rates in the Methow Valley School District are among the lowest in the state, raising concerns among local health officials during this winter’s mumps outbreak, the state’s most serious in 50 years.
Almost 10 percent of the district’s 600 students are considered “at-risk” because they do not meet the required immunization schedule for …
