KPTZ has convened a Virus Emergency Response Team which is working closely with our News Department to keep the local public informed with fast-breaking updates about the new potentially lethal Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease.  

KPTZ Update on COVID-19 and Jefferson County
(updated March 9)

This week’s KPTZ Compass, available online at the KPTZ.org website, features an in-depth interview with Jefferson County Public Health Officer Dr. Tom Locke on preparations for what he believes is the inevitable spread of the disease on the Olympic Peninsula. 

The KPTZ Virus Response Team is in continuous communication with Jefferson County Public Health, Jefferson Healthcare, and the Jefferson Dept of Emergency Management, and is monitoring information from other sources for information specific to our area.  Here are the most recent developments:

• Jefferson Healthcare now has a dedicated COVID-19/Respiratory Illness Nurse Call-in Line at 360-344-3094. It operates Mon-Fri from 8am to 5pm to answer questions and address concerns regarding the virus.  If you are calling after-hours with concerns about an illness that does not feel life-threatening, leave a message and a nurse will follow up within 24-48 hours to perform a detailed evaluation. If the nurse determines you meet the requirements for COVID-19 testing, you will be scheduled for an appointment at the dedicated Evaluation Station.  (If you are simply looking for information about how to prepare for and protect yourself from the disease, please refer to one of the websites listed in the link above.)

• The Washington Department of Health has a call center to address public questions and concerns, open 6am to 10pm every day. Call 1-800-525-0127 and press #.

• If you are experiencing severe respiratory symptoms after-hours or can’t wait for a nurse call back, please call the JeffCo Emergency Department using the hospital’s switchboard at 360-385-2200 first to make sure the hospital is properly prepared to receive you.  

Out of an abundance of caution to protect our most medically vulnerable community members, please avoid unnecessary visits to the hospital, including the cafeteria, until further notice.

As your community radio station, KPTZ’s Emergency Team and our dedicated News crew are working on ways to keep the local public informed with updates about the fast-breaking Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease. It’s our goal to be prepared if – and, so we’re told – when any cases occur on the Olympic Peninsula. A helpful Information Sheet addressing public concerns, is available:

Update on COVID-19 and Jefferson County
(updated March 5)

Jefferson Healthcare has set up a dedicated COVID-19 Respiratory Illness Nurse Call-in Line to answer questions and address concerns regarding the virus. The Call-in Line number is 360-344-3094, and is active daily from 8am to 5pm. For contacting your health care provider, is very important to call first, before going to the doctor’s office or Emergency Department ~ unless there is an urgent health condition. [This paragraph updated March 4.]

KPTZ’s Emergency Team is in communication with both the local Department of Emergency Management and the WA Department of Health. We will continue making announcements on 91.9FM and streaming as well as posting here any pertinent information as it unfolds. Stay tuned!

WA DOH Coronavirus (Covid-19) Resources & FAQs