More COVID-19 cases were reported last week, taking the county from a low risk area into the high risk category.

On Monday, September 7, the Pacific County Health and Human Services received notice of two positive cases of COVID-19 in Pacific County. These cases are in addition to the 66 previously reported cases for a total of 68 cases.

One of the confirmed positive cases is a child less than one year old who is isolating at home. The second confirmed case is an individual who is between 60-70 years old and currently isolating outside of Pacific County.

SOUTH BEND - Rapid-fire promptness and precision teamwork enabled firefighters to knock down a big brush fire that easily could have turned into a huge forest fire in South Bend. Led by the South Bend Volunteer Fire Department and joined by three fire departments, a potential disaster was avoided after quick work by firefighters who hosed down the fire in the woods directly behind Bud's Lumber in the area known as Payne's Alley in South Bend early Friday evening at 5:47.

Working together, the Pacific County Health & Human Services Department and Willapa Behavioral Health honored International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31.

SOUTH BEND - There were some very young entrepreneurs having fun while painting and offering their artwork on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Robert Bush Memorial Park in South Bend.

On Tuesday, August 25, a garbage truck somehow drove into a gate in the fish camp area of Williams Park and broke open its fuel tank. The diesel spill was close to the Nemah river and caused the Pacific County Emergency Management Agency and the local fire departments to take action.

"There was a gate on the side of the road and the garbage truck ruptured their fuel tank on the side of the gate," said PCEMA Director Scott McDougall. "We had an 18 gallon fuel spill onto the ground right next to the Nemah River."

SOUTH BEND - Now that the Pacific County 2020 Primary Election is complete, there were some key results in many races that will be hotly contested in the General Election November 3, when the top two primary vote-getters square off in several important state and county elections.

Of 15,580 registered voters, a total of 9,611 ballots were cast in Pacific County. The voter turnout was 61.69 percent, which is much higher than the state turnout of 54.44.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is that statewide, incumbent Democrat Brian Blake with 46.61 percent of the vote, finished second to Joel McEntire (53.24), a republican, In Pacific County, Blake corralled 52.63 percent compared to 47 percent for McEntire in the Legislative Dist. 19 State Representative Pos. 2 battle.

On August 20, Thursday evening Pacific County Fire District 3 and Raymond Fire was toned to the 1100 block of Mill Creek road for a fully involved structure fire.

PCFD#3 responded with two engines, two tenders, one brush truck, and a command vehicle. RFD responded with an ALS ambulance and a support vehicle. More response came from South Bend Fire, Pacific County sheriff deputies, Local PUD and Washington DNR.

Pacific County Health and Human Services would like to inform the public of a correction to the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pacific County. This occurred last week, which temporarily knocked the count back to 58. The individual being removed from Pacific County's case count was reported in early July. The individual was incarcerated in a correctional facility during their COVID-19 illness. Changes to reporting requirements required the case to be reassigned to the county of location.

Additionally, there was one case confirmed, so the total case count will remain at 59 cases. There is only one active case being monitored by public health nurses. The additional case is an individual between 60-70 years old and has been identified as a close contact to previously disclosed positive cases.

The Willapa Harbor Day of Kindness was a huge success this year. With only three weeks to organize and put goodies together, the volunteers did a great job. The pandemic caused some concern with the timing of the day since this first time was supposed to be at the same time as the canceled Willapa Festival.

The event gathered painted rocks, free coffee, popcorn, movie rentals, gas vouchers and gift certificates to randomly pass out. Goodie baskets were delivered to the local police departments, fire stations, and the Sheriff's office. Goodie baskets were gifted to residents and staff at local nursing homes.

Pacific County Health and Human Services received notice of five more positive cases of COVID-19 in Pacific County on Monday, August 10. Three individuals are connected to social clubs in south county. One is a family member of a previously identified individual. The fifth case is connected with recent travel to another state. This case developed symptoms while out of state and has now returned to Pacific County. One of these cases is currently hospitalized and four are convalescing at home.

On Tuesday, August 11, four additional positive cases were reported. All four individuals are connected to previously disclosed positive cases and are isolating at home.