With its first reported COVID-19 case since the pandemic impacted North America 11 months ago, a vaccination process for Point Roberts will at least commence in the coming days.
The Whatcom County Health Department confirmed on Thursday the first positive COVID-19 test for the isolated peninsula community, but would not provide any further information to protect the person’s identity.
While the Canada/U.S. border has been closed to non-essential travel, residents have been able to use a twice-a-week free ferry service to the Port of Bellingham that has been in operation since late August. Essential trips through the Peace Arch border crossing are also permitted.
Meanwhile, the process is underway for the first phase of Point Roberts’ own vaccination clinic as an order request was sent to the Washington Department of Health on Friday.
“The DOH has indicated that the vaccine will arrive about 10 days after it is ordered, but this is an estimate,” stated Barbara Wayland, superintendent of Point Roberts Public Health District. “SuperTrack (Urgent Care) will be notified when the shipment is actually on its way and the date it will be delivered. At that point we will contact everyone in the current open phase – those 65 years of age and older – who has provided contact information.”
Point Roberts Fire Chief Christopher Carleton has compiled residents’ vaccination information through an ongoing survey that has received 500 responses thus far.
“SuperTrack and the Fire Department are working together getting everything in place for our first vaccine clinic,” added Wayland. “In order to streamline the administration, we will email the necessary form provided by the DOH to each person for whom we have contact information so it can be printed out and filled in at home.”
