Cases rise in Adams County

RITZVILLE – Adams County Health Officer Dr. Alex Brzezny updated Adams County Commissioners on the resurgence of COVID-19 during a meeting Aug. 11.

“Adams County was late to the delta (COVID variant) surge,” but it is now in Adams County, D. Brzezny said, noting case rates for the last 14 days are 300 cases per 100,000 population and expected to rise.

That makes Adams County a “high-transmission area,” he said.

The district was tracking 55 active cases, with 1 in 4 tests for coronavirus coming back positive, Brzezny said.

He attributes the increases to reduced mitigation measures, including reduced use of masks and six-foot social distancing.

“Hospitals are stressed from Coeur d’Alene to Western Washington” Brzenzy said.

Brzenzy noted “vaccine interest is rising” in the county.

But, according to state Department of Health statistics available Monday, Aug. 16, only 7,930 of the county’s estimated 20,477 residents are fully vaccinated.

Based on state and federal data, that’s a full vaccination rate of only 38.7%.

Brzenzy made several recommendations to the board concerning mitigation strategies, including wearing masks indoors and staying at least six feet apart outdoors.

He recommended commissioners, acting as the county Board of Health, release a letter to the public outlining these recommendations.

He stressed that these are recommendations, and noted people do not respond well to mandates.

There was discussion among the board concerning the governor’s recent orders concerning mandatory vaccines for most state employees and all public and private health care workers.

In other business, Brzenzy said the public health director position is vacant due to a recent retirement of a registered nurse.

There has been some difficulty finding a replacement, he said, indicating salary might be a barrier.

He proposed some structural changes within the department, including creation of a Public Health Division director to oversee some operations until a permanent solution can be found.