PORT TOWNSEND — Twenty residents at Port Townsend Senior Living have tested positive for COVID-19 in an outbreak that started at the beginning of June.
Symptoms are mild and none of the cases have resulted in hospitalizations, Executive Director Peter Berg said.
“Everybody seems to be doing well,” Berg said. “We strongly encourage anyone who comes in to where a mask. At this time, it’s really about limiting any kinds of social interactions where three or four or five people are together.”
Port Townsend Senior Living, formerly known as Avamere, asks that anyone who tests positive quarantines or isolates in their own apartments, Berg said. Everybody has a right to come and go as they please, Berg added.
“We provide, of course, all food and any kind of help that they need,” Berg said.
The current outbreak peaked at 28, Berg said.
On Tuesday, Berg said there were 10 cases and a peak of 18. However, on Wednesday, he clarified that the senior living facility has assisted living and independent living. Berg attributed the change in numbers to positive tests coming in from the independent residents.
“I wouldn’t call it a unique outbreak,” Berg said. “It seems to be when there’s a different variant that comes along. This new variant that has come through is fairly contagious.”
Prior to the outbreak, Port Townsend Senior Living had not seen any COVID-19 cases for at least a year, Berg said.
A new variant, NB.1.8.1, or “Nimbus,” had been primarily active in the eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia and western Pacific regions, according to national news outlets. “Nimbus” arrived in the United States several weeks ago.
Protocols following a positive test include testing the entire staff and all residents, Berg said.
A building-wide test is repeated on the third day and the fifth day, he added.
“From there, you’re re-testing after five days for anybody that tested positive,” he said. “You can go out to 10 days as well.”
Apple Martine, Jefferson County’s director of public health, wrote in an email that there has been one recent hospitalization and 28 cases reported to the department in the current outbreak.
Symptoms include coughing, chills and fatigue, she added.
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Reporter Elijah Sussman can be reached by email at elijah. sussman@sequimgazette.com.
