Health and Wellness

The latest data from the Washington Department of Health shows that since late July, ER visits for COVID symptoms have been on the rise.

In a major disaster, residents are often their own “first responder.”  After an earthquake, tsunami or other major catastrophe, police, firefighters and EMTs will be called in many directions. It could take days, even weeks, before help arrives.

The FDA and Whatcom County Health Department recommend throwing out the 1 lb. and 12 oz bags of the products and cleaning with hot, soapy water all surfaces that the food has touched. 

The product was sold between July 17 and Aug. 8 under the brand names Sand Bar, Best Yet, Arctic Shores, Great American and First Street.

Whether your home is heated by natural gas, electricity or propane, you need to know how to keep safe from the potential of explosion or fire.

Did you know approximately 90% of all wildfires are human-caused? Meanwhile, fires in the home might or might not be the residents’ fault – but will 100% affect them.

While the forecast tsunami was not a disaster on any level, it was, on every level, a good thing for us in Whatcom County. Why? Because of all we learned.

Residents are advised to avoid contact with wild animals, especially bats, and to keep their pets’ vaccinations up to date.

Before harvesting shellfish, check for biotoxin and pollution closures by using the Washington Shellfish Closure map or by calling the Department of Health Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632.

The department says the risk to the public is very low as it works with the state Department of Health and CDC to investigate the source of the infection.