Libraries, drive-ins included in new Phase 2 guidelines

No new COVID-19 cases reported on Peninsula

North Olympic Peninsula health officials lauded Wednesday new guidance that allows libraries and drive-in theaters to operate with restrictions in Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s four-phase reopening plan for COVID-19.

No new cases of the new coronavirus were reported in Clallam or Jefferson counties Wednesday.

Public health officials were investigating the contacts of three cases that emerged this week.

“One of our cases did have several contacts, so those folks are all in quarantine, and some are being tested right now,” Clallam County Health Officer Dr. Allison Unthank said Wednesday.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Clallam County had two unrelated cases reported Tuesday — a man in his 20s and a man in his 80s — that brought the county’s confirmed case total to 27.

An asymptomatic Jefferson County boy was discovered to have contracted COVID-19 after he was tested prior to having surgery Sunday.

He represented the county’s 31st confirmed case.

“We’re expecting that case investigation will yield additional cases, but we don’t know that for sure yet,” Jefferson County Health Officer Dr. Tom Locke said Wednesday.

“Our hope is actually that it will lead us to other people who have mild infection and give us an opportunity to prevent that infection from spreading.

Gov. Jay Inslee issued guidance Tuesday that allows libraries to provide curbside pickup and drive-in movie theaters to operate with reservations during Phase 2.

“I think libraries are an important part of the community and can be done safely,” Unthank said in a telephone interview.

“So I’m just excited that it’s possible for library services to reopen to some degree. They didn’t used to be a Phase 2 activity.”

The Wheel-In Motor Movie in Port Townsend re-opened last Friday.

Locke said he advocated for the re-opening of the drive-in, which is scheduled to host graduation ceremonies for Chimacum and Port Townsend high schools on June 12 and June 13.

“We thought that that would be an excellent use of it,” said Locke, who added: “We think drive-ins are probably a very safe way to see movies.”

Locke said he was drafting a response to frequently asked questions on state and local masking directives for COVID-19.

“We’re focusing on investigating these (new) cases,” Unthank said, “and continuing to encourage folks that, while we’re excited to be in Phase 2, to try to take it slowly when you start re-engaging with those Phase 2 activities and continuing to be very cautious, wearing masks and keeping distance when you’re out and about.”

________

Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

From left to right, Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding students Krystol Pasecznyk and Scott McNair sand a Prothero Sloop with Sean Koomen, the school’s boat building program director. Koomen said the sanding would take one person a few days. He said the plan is to have 12 people sand it together, which will take a few hours. (Elijah Sussman/Peninsula Daily News)
Wooden boatbuilding school building ‘Twin Boats’

Students using traditional and cold-moulding construction techniques

Prevailing wage by trade across multiple counties in Washington state.
Prevailing wage s are driving up housing

Administrative burden may decrease competition

North Olympic Library System
Rendering of the new Sequim Library, which is currently under construction.
Library system board recognizes top donors

Naming opportunities still available

Port of Port Angeles approves roof rehab projects

McKinley Paper Company moves out of Marine Drive warehouse

Drug takeback day set across Peninsula on Saturday

Law enforcement agencies across the North Olympic Peninsula are poised to take… Continue reading

Public meeting set to meet administrator candidates

Jefferson County will host a public meeting at 5… Continue reading

Interfund loan to pay for Port Townsend meter replacement

City will repay over four years; work likely this winter

Artists to create murals for festival

Five pieces of art to be commissioned for downtown Port Angeles

Clallam assessor’s office to extend reduced hours

The Clallam County assessor’s office is continuing its reduction… Continue reading

Girders to be placed Thursday night

Contractor crews will place four 100-foot bridge girders over a… Continue reading

Cameras to check recycling contents in new program

Olympic Disposal will deploy a system of computerized cameras to… Continue reading

Port Angeles Fire Department responds to a residential structure fire on West 8th Street in Port Angeles. (Jay Cline)
Police: Woman arrested in arson investigation

Niece of displaced family allegedly said house was ‘possessed’