Hospitals ease COVID-19 restrictions

One visitor per patient is once again allowed at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham and United General Medical Center in Sedro-Woolley. Other facilities – like the various PeaceHealth medical clinics – have also eased restrictions and welcomed back volunteers.

The two counties have seen significant drops in COVID-19 cases and are at the "substantial" transmission risk level, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Skagit and Whatcom have maintained that level for more than seven days.

Masks are still required for all visitors, and PeaceHealth will continue to monitor transmission rates. PeaceHealth is prepared to "immediately tighten up protocols" if case counts rise, they said in a press release.