Weekly King County COVID-19 update

King County, Washington sent this bulletin at 08/19/2021 06:19 PM PDT

COVID-19 community transmission is now HIGH in King County

With the Delta variant spreading, the safest thing we can do right now is to wear masks while in indoor public settings. Wearing a mask protects everyone, especially the vulnerable who can't get vaccinated. Here's a reminder on where to mask-up:

  • Indoor public spaces
  • Private businesses and workplaces as requested
  • Public transit
  • Healthcare settings
  • Schools, childcare, and congregate settings

While not required, it's strongly recommended to also wear masks in crowded outdoor settings, such as concerts, fairs and farmers markets.

Advance appointments recommended at COVID-19 testing sites

Testing sites are experiencing longer than usual wait times and advance appointments are highly recommended or may be required at some sites. Even vaccinated people may need to get tested to help track the spread of variants in Washington state like the delta variant.

Third/booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine only for immunocompromised people

Booster doses are currently available only for people who have significantly compromised immune systems. At this time, Public Health does not offer nor recommend booster doses for other groups, though we expect to receive further guidance from the FDA and CDC in the coming weeks.

COVID-19 vaccine required for all K-12 school employees (PDF), WA Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

See Frequently Asked Questions linked above answering questions about the new vaccination requirement.

New comic: Delta Days, Public Health Insider blog

A new comic by Meredith Li-Vollmer, Risk Communications Specialist at Public Health - Seattle & King County, describes how we can protect ourselves and each other from the Delta variant, while acknowledging the burnout many people are feeling at this stage of the pandemic.

Video interviews: Why Vaccinate Now? and Community Vaccination Stories

Links to 7 short video interviews have been added to the COVID-19 community materials page linked above. These YouTube videos feature King County community members discussing their decisions to vaccinate and sharing personal experiences with vaccination.

King County Library System vaccination events through September 28

Free COVID-19 vaccine clinics are planned at libraries across King County through September 28. View calendar of locations and times linked above.

COVID-19 FAQ updated

  • Added the question, "What can I do if I've lost my vaccination card?" (Section 4, #14).
  • Updated 3 questions:
    • Who needs a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine? (Section 2, #8)
    • Should people who are pregnant or breastfeeding be vaccinated? (Section 3, #5);
    • Do I need to keep wearing a mask and physical distancing after getting a COVID-19 vaccine? (Section 4, #8).

Updated: Public Health recommendations for what to do after COVID-19 vaccination (PDF)

Updated to reflect the latest CDC quarantine and isolation guidance, and the statewide mask mandate for fully vaccinated people in indoor public places.

  • Total positive counts in King County: 128,488 (New counts since last updated: 852 at overall 4.3% of all tests)
    • Confirmed: 122,027 (New counts since last updated: 797)
    • Probable: 6,461 (New counts since last updated: 55)

  • Hospitalizations: 7,091
    • New hospitalizations since yesterday: 22 at 5.5% of all positive cases

  • Deaths due to COVID-19 illness: 1,722
    • New deaths since last updated: 6 at 1.3% of all positive cases

  • All PCR test results: 2,856,597

  • People tested by PCR: 1,241,147

All other COVID-19 dashboards are posted at www.kingcounty.gov/covid/data

View this COVID-19 weekly email alert online