Olympic Times

It’s going to be a while before Clallam County enters Phase 3 of the COVID-19 reopening.

The Board of Heath voted June 30 to stay in Phase 2 for now. Meanwhile, the state of Washington has paused the review of county applications to move to new phases of reopening, at least until Tuesday, July 28.

"The trends we are seeing in our communities and across the country are very concerning," the state said on its website.

Phase 3 promises for larger public gatherings and more businesses and services such as gyms and libraries reopening.

“I do not think it is safe to move forward to Phase 3 at this time,” county Health Officer Dr. Allison Unthank said, as reported by the Peninsula Daily News.

A rise in respiratory infections, only 40% of people wearing masks in the Port Angeles area and the West End and two COVID-19 outbreaks in the county are reasons cited for remaining in Phase 2.

“I think we’re at a really critical time,” Unthank said, as reported by Peninsula Daily News. “We are seeing a rise in cases locally. We are seeing a rise in local transmission, community transmission.”

She told the Board of Health that the fight against COVID-19 is winnable.

“If we all work together, if we all follow physical-distancing guidelines, if we all wear masks, we can turn this around, and we can still be safe,” Unthank said.

The board of health will consider a Phase 3 application at its Tuesday, July 21 meeting.