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The Snohomish Health District has seen three record-setting days of new confirmed cases received in a single day. On Wednesday, the Health District received 182 new cases and Thursday’s case count was 178. Through 1 p.m. on Friday, we had 137 reported cases. These high numbers mean that the rolling two-week case rate through November 7 will see another significant increase.
While the Health District is working to follow-up on the newest cases, a number of new reports and have been released this week:
Pandemic fatigue has set in for many. It’s not always easy to keep up with the good habits like masking, distancing and not gathering in-person to socialize. But please hang in there. We can turn this around.
Think about how you can modify your plans this fall and winter to keep yourself and others healthy. Even if you are with or one or two trusted friends or family members, mask up if they aren’t people you live with. If you choose to meet in person, do so outside, keep your distance and leave your masks on. In public places like businesses, wear your mask consistently and properly – that means it fits over the mouth AND nose.
We can all do our part.
Read the full release.
 COVID-19 cases reported in Snohomish County by date. Please click on the image to see the full size version.
Changes to Drive-thru Testing Registration and Notification
The Snohomish Health District has been working to improve the speed for lab results and notification of results. Next week, there will be a transition between labs and registration portals. These moves will decrease the turnaround time from an average of 3-4 business days to 2-3 calendar days.
Registration is now open for appointments Monday through Wednesday. On Thursday, the Health District is scheduled to move to UW Labs for the processing of tests. Those tested Thursday moving forward will be able to access their results directly from a lab portal, with instructions provided at the time of testing. The new registration portal for appointments Thursday and beyond will be available no later than Wednesday, November 11. All information will still be accessed at www.snohd.org/testing.
Drive-thru testing will continue at the 3900 Broadway site in Everett next week, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday thru Friday. With daylight hours decreasing, and testing volumes seen earlier in the day, the Health District no longer offers evening testing appointments.
In addition to the Everett site, the Health District will also be offering testing at the Lynnwood Food Bank on Tuesday, November 10. Appointments will be available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 5320 176th St SW.
Once the transition to the new system is complete, the Health District will also be able to look at adding more locations and/or days for testing in the near future.
Testing is open to anyone, regardless of symptoms, but remains strongly encouraged for individuals that fit the following criteria:
- Anyone with any of the following COVID-19 symptoms (fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headaches, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea); or
- Close contact of a confirmed case; or
- Anyone who lives or works in a congregate setting; or
- Work in healthcare, EMS, law enforcement or other fields where work settings have a higher risk of catching or spreading COVID-19; or
- Part of a family or social network that has had a case.
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With the increasing number of cases, the call volumes from individuals and businesses have also increased. The Health District opened a new call center to help answer questions related to testing, route calls for those businesses reporting a positive test result in their workforce, or to help those without internet access or needing language interpreter services. That number is 425.339.5278, and the call center will be staffed 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Callers after hours or on weekends can leave a message, which will be returned on the next business day.
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Factors like colder weather and fewer daylight hours drive people indoors with the windows shut, and then there are holidays when groups of family and friends typically gather to celebrate. More people together in enclosed spaces make for opportune situations for illness to spread.
This isn’t anything new. Many of us are used to preparing for flu and cold season, hoping it won’t be bad this year, or maybe we’ll dodge it.
We must approach things differently this year, though.
The latest Public Health Essentials blog from the Snohomish Health District focuses on what to know about cold, flu and COVID season. Read it here: http://www.snohd.org/Blog.aspx?IID=47#
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The state Department of Health on Thursday released a new report by the Institute for Disease Modeling (IDM) that quantifies how various diagnostic screening scenarios could help mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission associated with reopening schools. The report, the third in a series by IDM, affirms that while there are still risks associated with returning to full in-person instruction, the risks could be significantly reduced through school-based countermeasures, hybrid scheduling, and a phased-in approach that brings back K-5 grades first.
The findings include:
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If schools can implement countermeasures consistently and community transmission is low, then the value of testing people for COVID-19 is limited. The analysis looked at several different testing strategies using PCR tests and rapid antigen tests, both individually and in combination.
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Consistent with previous analyses, transmission in schools is greatly reduced through a combination of school-based countermeasures and hybrid or phased-in scheduling. Routine diagnostic screening of asymptomatic people can, however, have an impact on reducing transmission if schools are a significant source of infection. Daily symptom screening followed by diagnostic testing and contact tracing remain important along with other countermeasures.
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The number of in-person days lost compared to a typical 5-day school week is largely due to scheduling, not people staying home to quarantine or isolate. Frequent screening with antigen tests does slightly increase in-person days lost, but less than 5% of days lost are due to health concerns, including false-positive diagnostic screening results.
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The report also reaffirms the importance of reducing community transmission prior to reopening K-12 schools for in-person learning and implementing school-based countermeasures. Countermeasures include masking, cohorting students, daily symptom screening, follow-up diagnostic testing, contact tracing, physical distancing, hand hygiene, and improved ventilation. Without countermeasures, up to 45% of teachers and staff and 33% of students could become infected in the first three months; countermeasures reduce this risk to less than 2%, even with a full schedule of five days of in-person classes.
“The report supports our guidance that full in-person learning is not wise in places where COVID-19 transmission levels remain high,” said Lacy Fehrenbach, deputy secretary for COVID-19 response at DOH.
For more information, see the full press release.
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The surge in COVID-19 cases across the country is impacting children in unprecedented levels, according to data compiled by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Children’s Hospital Association, which are tracking data reported by state health departments.
As of Oct. 29, more than 853,000 children have tested positive for COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic, including nearly 200,000 new cases in children during the month of October. In the one-week period ending Oct. 29, there were 61,000 new cases in children, which is larger than any previous week in the pandemic.
“This is a stark reminder of the impact this pandemic is having on everyone – including our children and adolescents,” said AAP President Sally Goza, MD, FAAP. “This virus is highly contagious, and as we see spikes in many communities, children are more likely to be infected, too. We can help protect everyone in our communities by keeping our physical distance, wearing masks, and following other recommendations from our doctors and public health experts.”
Read the news release or the full report.
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New unemployment claims in Snohomish County decreased from 1,558 to 1,506, down 3% from the week before, the state Employment Security Department said Thursday.
That contrasted with statewide results, which showed new claims were up by 3.4%. Claims rose during the week of October 25-31 to 14,681 compared to 14,198 the week prior.
Unemployment claims statewide remain 113% above where they were at the same time in 2019, reflecting the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. Since March, the state has paid more than $12.1 billion in unemployment benefits to more than 1 million Washingtonians.
See the full press release for more information.
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As we head into the season for flooding, high winds and other unpredictable weather, it's important to be prepared. SnoCoAlerts will keep you informed about emergencies in your area with important notifications sent directly to your phone. Sign up at www.smart911.com or visit the Department of Emergency Management’s public alert resources page to learn more.
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The Internal Revenue Service warned of a new text scam created by thieves that trick people into disclosing bank account information under the guise of receiving the $1,200 Economic Impact Payment.
The IRS released the information along with states tax agencies and the tax industry, working together as the Security Summit. They remind taxpayers that neither the IRS nor state agencies will ever text taxpayers asking for bank account information so that an Economic Impact Payment (EIP) deposit may be made.
The scam text message states: “You have received a direct deposit of $1,200 from COVID-19 TREAS FUND. Further action is required to accept this payment into your account. Continue here to accept this payment …” The text includes a link to a fake phishing web address.
This fake phishing URL, which appears to come from a state agency or relief organization, takes recipients to a fraudulent website that impersonates the IRS.gov Get My Payment website. Individuals who visit the fraudulent website and then enter their personal and financial account information will have their information collected by these scammers.
See the full press release for IRS guidance on how best to respond to the scam.
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Sea Mar Community Health Center and Molina Healthcare are partnering to offer a Free Flu Shot Clinic for uninsured adults on Saturday, November 7th, from 9am-4pm at the Everett Medical Clinic, 1920 100th St SE Bldg. B. Insured individuals are also welcomed. Call to make an appointment or if you have questions, 1-855-289-4503.
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Bloodworks Northwest is accepting signups for blood donations at Angel of the Winds Arena this month. Donors will receive two tickets to the Everett Community Ice Rink and a coupon to Lombardi’s Italian Restaurant. Spots limited, sign up today: https://bit.ly/2I2YzAX
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The City of Marysville has opened another round of grant funds for low-income microenterprise businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Deadline to apply is 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13.
Marysville small businesses with five or fewer employees, and whose owners meet HUD low-income requirements, are invited to apply Marysville CARES grants of up to $15,000 each. These grant funds may be used for existing business operating expenses such as lease or rent payments, payroll, utilities and inventory. The business owner must meet federal low-income eligibility guidelines. For example, a family of four with an annual household income of $88,250 or less would qualify.
Find more information and the application on the city’s website.
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We've been through a lot this year. Although it has been difficult, our community has come together to help one another in many ways. Watch this short history of what we have experienced this year and the important things we have accomplished.
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Cumulative case counts from January 2020 to November 6, 2020.
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ESSENTIAL LINKS AND PHONE NUMBERS FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION
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