BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Whatcom County is preparing to close its COVID-19 quarantine facility.
County Health Department Director Erika Lautenbach made the announcement during a county council committee meeting on Tuesday, March 22nd.
“We are committed to closing that facility at the end of this month,” said Lautenbach, “We are working to return it to the state that it was given to us.”
Lautenbach added that no more new guests will be taken into the facility ahead of its closure.
“We have two guests there currently who will be discharged by the end of the month,” said Lautenbach. “And we aren’t taking any more clients, or guests, at this point.”
The former Motel 6 on Byron Avenue has served as the county’s quarantine facility since April 2020.
In the event of a future uptick in COVID cases, Lautenbach said they’re already prepared.
“We still have our overflow site at Civic Field as an option,” said Lautenbach. “That’s a congregate facility and that would be isolation only.”
Councilmembers unanimously approved $15,000 in funds to clean the building so that it can operate as a motel again.
The funding was granted to the county by FEMA.