MATTAWA — Representatives from around Mattawa met on Friday morning, March 6, to formulate a cohesive plan regarding the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. Those present included representatives from the city’s two medical clinics, first responders, city officials and school district personnel.

During the meeting, both Carlos Ruiz, site director for the Columbia Basin Health Alliance Wahluke Clinic, and Dana Fox, CEO for the Mattawa Community Medical Clinic, told what their clinics were doing independently and cooperatively to prepare for COVID-19, if an outbreak were to occur. They also discussed various possibilities they could implement if the outbreak became so difficult that doctors had to be quarantined.

Fox emphasized that COVID-19 is like a flu and that residents should not panic. Instead, residents should practice good hygiene and hand-washing.

Wahluke School District representatives told the group that they are emphasizing hand-washing, including sending home a flyer on the subject. They also have a page on their website dedicated to COVID-19 updates.

Tiffany Coulson, head librarian for the Mattawa Library, said that for now, she has removed the toys in the building.

Grant County Fire District No. 8 Fire Chief David Patterson said that his crew is starting to send only one person into a house to inspect the situation, instead of sending in the whole crew at once.

“I’d rather quarantine one than four,” Patterson said. “Before we pick up someone at the clinic, we’re going to have questions to make sure you have prescreened the individual.”

The members of the meeting agreed to work together to promote and provide the community with accurate information regarding COVID-19.