At today’s daily COVID-19 update meeting we reviewed a number of documents in regards to COVID-19 exposure guidance, as well as minor edits to the COVID-19 supplemental leave authorization. These documents will be finalized and sent out by tomorrow afternoon.
We continue to work on the expansion of social distancing. As communicated yesterday, it’s important to remember, the implementation of social distancing may look different in the various Business Units. We provide an essential service to our entire community and are working on balancing how we approach our response.
Many of us in our various roles are participating on gathering information from every angle and continuing to update one another. Keep in mind, information is changing even by the minute. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we all work to navigate these uncharted waters as a team.
Steve Taylor provided the notes below from today’s County/City meeting:
TOP NEWS: Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) signed over delegation of authority to Chief LaFave and is standing up the Emergency Operations Center.
Health & Human Services
- No confirmed cases in Cowlitz County
- 12 potential cases at Peace Health St John’s lab – not necessarily people from Cowlitz County
- Plan for housing homeless folks who may need quarantine; should have it put together in short order
- Where we quarantine first responders and the homeless
General County Admin
- Limited access in Admin building; will change as more guidance comes down from the state
- BOCC has signed delegation of authority to Chief LaFave
- County managers call – everybody feels they are behind the curve ball in responding, but Cowlitz County is actually ahead compared to their counterparts
Woodland
- Closed public buildings
Kalama
- Public offices are closed; operations continue
- PD lobby will be closed down tomorrow
Kelso
- Contacted fuel, groceries, and long term care facilities
Longview
- City Hall still open for business
- Has council workshop scheduled for tomorrow evening; encouraging remote attendance
- Request for daycare; daycare is established through parks and rec department; for employees’ families only; but may be extending that out to health care workers as well – looking to offer that to those folks as well
- Contact at Wauna paper mill – help with toiletry items for senior facilities
Castle Rock
- Working with care facilities and local partners
- Folks are flushing non-degradable items down toilets, causing problems for wastewater collection and treatment
Sheriff
- Trying to keep business as usual (not fingerprinting)
- Posting notices at convenience stores across the county
Prosecuting Attorney
- Courts remain open, for the next two months will be setting court dates and trials forward into May and beyond
- Look for an official order coming from Supreme Court to reduce court activity
Economic Development Council
- Small Business Admin disaster relief loans are available for Cowlitz County
Cowlitz PUD Blog 