COVID-19 Updates – Lopez Island Hospital District

A Message from the Lopez COVID Health Support Group

COVER YOUR FACE!

The WA Department of Health and the CDC now recommend that people wear cloth face coverings when they are in public settings. This might include trips to the grocery store, pharmacy, hardware store, health clinic or similar places. Wearing a mask is not a substitute for maintaining 6-feet of physical distance from non-household members and performing frequent hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Wearing cloth face coverings will not prevent spread of COVID-19 without these other protective measures:

• Wash or sanitize your hands frequently
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Avoid being around sick people
• Practice social distancing, six feet minimum,
• Stay at home as much as possible
• Quarantine for two weeks following any trip to the mainland
• Wash your hands before and after touching and adjusting the mask.

PPE (Personal Protective Equipment):

Denise Clark has made a large quantity of hand sanitizer for distribution. We have acquired a supply of gloves and have a prototype for a gown made of Tyvek. The gowns will be made if there is a need.

Volunteers with the Covid Health Support group have sewn over 600 masks, with a goal of making 1200. We have distributed masks to people who meet the following criteria:

Anyone involved with direct patient care, with the understanding that they are not a substitute for a medical grade mask.
Anyone working an essential job involving contact with the public.
Anyone with an underlying health condition, or over the age of 65.

As our supply increases, we will begin to make masks available to others in the community, in support of the Governor’s and the County’s recommendation that everyone wear a mask when in a public place. Click HERE to read the Press Release from San Juan County.

Please let us know if you meet the current criteria and need a mask by contacting Aimee Nassoiy at (anassoiy@yahoo.com) or Marty Clark at (martyclark89@gmail.com).

A system will soon be in place to distribute cloth masks to individuals. Watch Lopezrocks for instructions or go to HERE to post your needs.

If you want to help sew masks, contact Anne Dawson (anne@lopezislandquiltersstudio.com). If you have rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to donate that has not expired, contact Denise Clark (deniseonlopez@gmail.com).

Meals on Wheels:

Roni Wilkie reported that forty seniors are being served. She’s working to recruit more drivers.

Medical Shelter:

Working with the County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC), a group of Lopez volunteers led by Kai Sanburn has prepared for a Medical surge shelter on Lopez. We remain fortunate that regional hospitals currently have the capacity to care for patients from the islands so there is no need for the shelter at this time. The EOC remains in close contact with regional hospitals and is prepared to resume this activity, if needed.

Information to Help Access Care at Lopez Clinic:

Anyone who uses the Lopez Clinic for health care should have filled out a Release of Information form stating who clinic staff can speak to regarding your care. This form must be in your record and include everyone who is caring for you at home. If you have not filled one out or wish to update yours, the forms can be picked up from a folder on the bench outside the clinic. Please return them by fax or mail so we can scan them into your chart.

If you do not use the UW Lopez Clinic, it is still recommended that you register yourself and family members in case you need care and cannot get off island. This provides you with a chart and a patient ID number. You do not have to claim the clinic as your care giver and there is no cost. To register, call 360-468-2245 and select #1. It is best to do this before there is a crisis. You can also use the patient ID number in the future if you come to the clinic for urgent treatment such as the care of a cut, sprain, or broken bone.

WANT TO HELP ?

Catherine Washburn Medical Association (CWMA) is committed to supporting Health Care on Lopez Island. During the current coronavirus pandemic, CWMA is helping the Lopez COVID Health Support (LCHS) group help the community. As an approved 501.c.3 non-profit CWMA will collect funds for the LCHS group. If you want to donate to LCHS please go to the website catherinewashburnmedical.org or click HERE. There is a Donate button specifically for the Lopez COVID Health Support group.