Hazardous Weather "Code Blue" Extension

Thurston County Public Health has issues an indefinite extension of code blue through the Office of Housing and Homeless Prevention. To learn more, read the news release here:

https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/tchome/pages/newsreleasedetail.aspx?List-ID=1936

Thurston County 5 Year Homelessness Plan

According to a recent news release, on August 14, 2018, the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners adopted a 5-Year Thurston County Homeless Housing Plan (2017-2022). . Additional details on these strategies, and the rest of the Five-Year Homeless Housing Plan is available here: https://www.co.thurston.wa.us/Health/sscp/PDF/TC5YearPlan_Final_081318.pdf

Did You Know Thurston County Parks Are Tobacco and Vape Free?

It's true! Smoking and vapign are no longer allowed in County Parks, Preserves, or on Trails. According to the County ordinance, there are lots of good reasons for taking this step, including:

• Helps prevent exposure of residents to secondhand smoke and vapor.
• Creates a safer and healthier environment for park users, including children and youth.
• Protects children’s health by reducing their exposure to smoking and vaping.
• Supports park users who may be trying to quit smoking.
• Protects against fire and environmental impacts of littering.
• Is consistent with state and regional goal of eliminating exposure to secondhand smoke and vapor.
• Furthers the County’s mission by supporting healthy activity and preventing secondhand smoke or vapor impacts to the many users of these public spaces.

You can read more  in this article in Thurston Talk:

http://www.thurstontalk.com/2018/08/15/thurston-county-passes-tobacco-free-parks-ordinance/ 

Summer is a Great Time to Update Travel ID

Did you know you can get an official copy of your birth certificate (if you were born in Washington State) right at the Public Health and Social Services office on Lilly Road? It's true! And with changes coming to the ID required to fly, you may want to take time this summer to learn more. Here's a great place to start: 

http://www.thurstontalk.com/2018/07/02/have-id-will-travel-thurston-county-publih-health-and-social-services-talk-about-new-ids/

Summit Lake Toxic Algae Alert Still In Effect

This update is for Thursday May 3rd, 2018.

Summit Lake has a toxic algae bloom.  Thurston County Health Department issued a health advisory for residents who use the lake for drinking water, recommending that no one should drink the lake water, or use the water for household water uses.  Filtration, boiling, and other water treatment methods do not remove or deactivate the algae toxin.  

Lab results received today show that the algae bloom is producing high levels of Anatoxin-a. Reports show toxin levels at the sample site are 2.47 micrograms per liter. The state recommends against consuming water with more than 1 microgram per liter of Anatoxin-a. Anatoxin-a is a potent neurotoxin that is fast-acting, and which can cause serious illness, or even death.

Public Health advises residents and the public that if your source of water comes from the lake, they should not consume the water, or use it to:

·         Mix formula or other food/drink.

·         Rinse food or do dishes.

·         Brush teeth, or bathe.

In addition, Public Health recommends that people:

·         Do not swim or water ski in the lake.

·         Keep pets out of the lake and do not let them drink lake water.

·         Should not eat fish that come from the lake during an algae bloom.

The health warning for Summit Lake will remain in place until samples are within safe levels for two consecutive weeks. Testing will continue weekly until the samples are within safe limits for two consecutive weeks. A new sample will be taken on Monday, May 7th, 2018, with results expected Friday, May 11^th.

For more information on Summit Lake, visit the Summit Lake Toxic Algae website. For more information about blue-green algae, frequently asked questions, and the County lakes program, visit the County’s Blue-Green Algae Advisories website. You can sign up to receive email algae alerts on the website or by calling 360-867-2645. The Health Department also maintains an updated information line for residents at (360) 709-3080.

Toxic Algae Health Warning In Effect for Summit Lake

 County Commissioners
John Hutchings - District One

Gary Edwards - District Two

Bud Blake - District Three

                        

NEWS RELEASE

_______________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Friday, April 27, 2018

CONTACT: 

Media: Gabby Byrne, Public Information Specialist (360) 867-2514 or byrneg @co.thurston.wa.us

Residents: (360) 867-2645

Toxic Algae Health Warning In Effect for Summit Lake

Toxin levels above the level for health concern

OLYMPIA –Summit Lake has a toxic algae bloom. A resident at Summit Lake reported an algae bloom on the afternoon of April 24, 2018. Thurston County Public Health and Social Services staff sampled the lake, notified the community via the algae alert email list, and posted a caution sign at the boat launch that same day.

Many residents of the Summit Lake community get their drinking water from the lake. Lab results received today show that the algae bloom is producing unsafe levels of Anatoxin-a. Reports show toxin levels at the sample site are 9.95 micrograms per liter. The state advisory level for Anatoxin-a is 1 microgram per liter. Anatoxin-a is a potent neurotoxin that is fast-acting, and can cause serious illness or death.

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services recommends that residents do not drink the lake water. Filtration, boiling, and other water treatment methods do not remove or deactivate the algae toxin. Public Health advises residents and the public that if their source of water comes from the lake, they should not consume the water, or use it to:

·         Mix formula or other food/drink.

·         Rinse food or do dishes.

·         Brush teeth, or bathe.

In addition, Public Health recommends that people:

·         Do not swim or water ski in the lake.

·         Keep pets out of the lake and do not let them drink lake water.

·         Should not eat fish that come from the lake during an algae bloom.

The health warning for Summit Lake will remain in place until samples are within safe levels for two consecutive weeks. Testing will continue until the samples are within safe limits for two consecutive weeks.

For more information on Summit Lake, visit the Summit Lake Toxic Algae website. For more information about blue-green algae, frequently asked questions, and the County lakes program, visit the County’s Blue-Green Algae Advisories website. You can sign up to receive email algae alerts on the website or by calling 360-867-2645. The Health Department also maintains an updated information line for residents at (360) 709-3080.

-30-

Thurston County Awarded Spolight For Progress in National Challenge

                                                                 County Commissioners

John Hutchings - District One

Gary Edwards - District Two

Bud Blake - District Three

                         NEWS RELEASE                       

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  1 February 2018

CONTACT:  Chris Hawkins, Community Engagement, Evidence & Partnerships, (360) 867-2513 or hawkinc@co.thurston.wa.us

Thurston County Awarded Spotlight for Progress in National Challenge

Project aims to boost physical activity through improved community design.

OLYMPIA –  Thurston County has been selected to receive $25,000 as part of the Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge (the Challenge) Spotlight Award for its “Active Design for a Healthier Community” project. Ten winners and five honorable mentions were selected to improve opportunities for all Americans to take an active role in healthy living – regardless of income, education or ethnic background.

The award is part of the Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge, an initiative launched in 2016 by the Aetna Foundation, along with the American Public Health Association (APHA) and the National Association of Counties (NACo), supporting small-to-midsize cities and counties to implement innovative solutions for their local public health issues. The $1.5 million “Challenge” competition is awarded among communities around the U.S. for programs to improve access to healthy foods, increase physical activity and reduce violence and crime. 50 finalists were chosen based on strategies to improve the health of their communities in at least one of five areas: healthy behaviors, community safety, built environment, social/economic factors and environmental exposures.

The Thurston Thrives Community Design Action Team project focuses on identifying and supporting improvements to Thurston County’s regional trails, to make them more accessible for people living nearby to use. It’s part of an overall strategy to make daily physical activity easier for local residents, boosting their levels of exercise (30 minutes per day for adults, 60 minutes per day for children and youth). The project has posted its results at Thurston County Public Health & Social Services website: http://bit.ly/2eZeQ7J. These include places where trail access paths are needed, number of nearby residents or employees, and locations for benches, signs and other improvements.

“This award recognizes the great partnerships at the heart of Thurston Thrives, and our continuing efforts to build a healthier community,” said Schelli Slaughter, Director of the County’s Public Health & Social Services Department. “The Community Design team and other local partners are working hard to make it easy, enjoyable and safe to go for a walk or engage in active transportation, so residents can get more healthy activity every day.”

“At the Aetna Foundation, we know that a positive health impact can be made when communities work together to tackle social determinants of health,” said Dr. Garth Graham, president of the Aetna Foundation. “We are honored to showcase these innovative organizations as Spotlight Award winners for their commitment to improving local health conditions and creating healthier, safer places.”

For more information on the Spotlight Awards, the recognized organizations and the Challenge, visit www.healthiestcities.org. Information on the local team’s work will be shared at the February 13 Board of Health meeting and at a regional active community design forum in March.

-MORE-

-30-