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Based on new regional data published by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), Snohomish County will remain in Phase 1 for the week begin January 18.
The Puget Sound Region continues to meet three of the four criteria laid out in the Healthy Washington: Roadmap to Recovery announced by Governor Jay Inslee. There reported metrics for the Puget Sound Region published January 15 are as follows:
- A region must have a 10 percent or greater decrease in the rate of COVID cases per 100,000 population in most recent 14-day period measured compared to the prior 14-day period. The Puget Sound Region had a 13 percent decrease from December 20 through January 2 compared to December 6 through December 19, meeting the target.
- There must be a 10 percent or greater decrease in the rate of new COVID hospital admission rates per 100,000 in most recent 14-day period measured compared to the prior 14-day period. The Puget Sound Region had a 3 percent decrease from December 27 through January 9 compared to December 13 through December 26, which does not meet the target.
- Test positivity should be less than 10 percent for the most recent 7-day period measured. The Puget Sound Region had a 7 percent test positivity for December 20 through December 26, which does meet the target.
- Total ICU occupancy within a region must be less than 90 percent for the most recent 7-day period measured. The Puget Sound Region continued to meet this metric with 85 percent occupancy for January 3 through January 9.
The DOH compiles updated data by region every Friday. Regions that meet all four criteria above are eligible to move to Phase 2 on the following Monday. The Snohomish Health District will publish an updated snapshot on Tuesday with data comparisons specific to Snohomish County.
Read the full release.
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A COVID-19 vaccine is administered through a car window at the Snohomish Health District Vaccination site at Paine Field on Jan. 12, 2021
Three drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination sites are now operating in Snohomish County.
The sites are part of a multifaceted approach to increase vaccine access for Snohomish County residents.
The third site opened Wednesday at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe. The other two vaccination sites are at Paine Field in Everett, which began operation on January 6, and Edmonds College, which began operation on Monday. These sites are by appointment only and are for those who are in the current phase of COVID vaccination.
Additional sites are in the planning stages and information on new sites, who is eligible, and how to get vaccinated in Snohomish County will continue to be updated at www.snohd.org/covidvaccine and bit.ly/SnoCoHub under the COVID-19 Vaccine button.
"Our goal is to ensure that we vaccinate the residents of Snohomish County as quickly, efficiently and safely as possible,” Snohomish County Emergency Management Director Jason Biermann said. “We have been saying since the start that the first line of defense is our healthcare system. We are here to help augment them, so together we can meet our goal.”
Capacity at the sites will vary depending on vaccine supply and other resources, but up to 940 vaccinations can be administered per day between the three sites at this time. This is to supplement the existing healthcare system, which continues to provide most vaccinations.
These sites are coordinated by the Snohomish County Vaccine Taskforce, which brings together public health, emergency management, law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services, human services, transit, public works, and other partners within Snohomish County.
"We appreciate the partnership with the Snohomish County Vaccine Taskforce. We are very thankful to be a part of this effort to slow, and hopefully, end the spread of COVID-19," said Edmonds College President Dr. Amit B. Singh. "Our community has remained strong despite hardships, and I’m confident that we’ll get through this and move forward together."
It will take time to vaccinate everyone in Snohomish County who wants to be vaccinated, but the goal is to do so as quickly as possible.
“Our most urgent priority is to vaccinate as many of our residents as quickly as we can and get everyone vaccinated within the next year,” said Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. “The math is simple. We have nearly 900,000 residents, and if we want to get everyone vaccinated in an orderly and rational way, we need additional capacity. The work we have done in the last few weeks on establishing sites and the vaccine planning we have done since July ensures that once the federal government and state increase vaccine deliveries we are ready to administer vaccines. The faster we can get everyone vaccinated, the faster we can put this pandemic behind us.”
Along with coordinating vaccination sites, the taskforce also has been working to:
- Support healthcare providers with guidance on becoming an approved COVID vaccine provider, storing and handling vaccine, and eligibility screening for Phase 1a.
- Connect long-term care and similar facilities that serve vulnerable older adults to vaccination resources, including the federal partnership program with pharmacies.
- Vaccinate staff and residents of long-term care facilities that are not connected through the federal program. EMS staff via the Snohomish County Fire Taskforce provided COVID vaccines to 122 residents and 19 staff at two long-term care facilities during mobile clinics Monday and Tuesday.
- Plan for additional mobile or pop-up vaccination sites to assist in reaching people throughout Snohomish County, and coordinate with community organizations to expand access, particularly for those with barriers to accessing health care.
- Support employers with guidance and begin assessing resource needs to help stand up additional vaccination clinics for workers in the appropriate phase.
"Within a year of the virus first being reported in Snohomish County, we have multiple vaccines available and thousands of people have been vaccinated locally,” said Shawn Frederick, Administrative Officer for the Snohomish Health District. “That is incredible progress, but we know there is still a lot of work to do. We encourage everyone to keep up the health measures like masking and physical distancing, and to get vaccinated when their turn comes.”
Snohomish County is aligned with the statewide phases for COVID-19 vaccination, and providers are vaccinating people in Phase 1a at this time. This includes workers in health care settings, high-risk first responders, and residents and staff of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other community-based, congregate living settings where most individuals over 65 years of age are receiving care, supervision, or assistance. To verify eligibility, a workplace badge, paystub, business card or work ID, DOH PhaseFinder voucher, or Snohomish Health District voucher may be used.
As with other aspects of the COVID-19 response, details can change quickly. Check back at www.snohd.org/covidvaccine and bit.ly/SnoCoHub under the COVID-19 Vaccine button for updates.
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As shown in this timeline, it’s also been just one month since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provided the emergency use authorization for the first COVID vaccine. Recommendations on who to is eligible to receive the vaccine, as well as recommended prioritization, were provided by the federal government on December 11.
The first doses arrived in Snohomish County on December 17. In just over 3 weeks, 14,000 people in Snohomish County had received a COVID vaccine. More information was shared during a media briefing on January 12, which can be viewed here or through the transcript here.
A timeline showing the progression of COVID-19 vaccination in Snohomish County
The Health District is now reporting vaccine data at www.snohd.org/covidvaccine on Tuesdays, with information through the previous Saturday. Information through January 9 is as follows:
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The locations and schedules for next week’s drive-thru testing operated by the Health District are as follows:
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3900 Broadway site in Everett – open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Everett Community College site at 915 N. Broadway – open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Lynnwood Food Bank site at 5320 176th St SW – open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Evergreen State Fairgrounds in the front parking lot off of 179th Ave SE in Monroe – open Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sultan Elementary School site at 501 Date St – open Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Testing is by appointment only and registration is now open at www.snohd.org/testing. Those without internet access or needing language assistance can reach the Health District’s call center at 425.339.5278. The call center is staffed 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Callers after hours or on weekends can leave a message, which will be returned on the next business day.
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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The Snohomish Health District has updated its weekly Snapshot to align with the new “Healthy Washington--Roadmap to Recovery” framework. See the latest snapshot and other reports on COVID activity in Snohomish County at www.snohd.org/casecounts under “Snapshots and Reports.”
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Know your facts about the COVID-19 vaccine. We’re here to provide you with accurate information, including how the vaccine works and why it is a safe choice. To learn more, please go to www.snohd.org/covidvaccine.
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The state Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday released the latest statewide situation report on COVID-19.
Report findings include:
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Case counts rebounded after Christmas and appear to be increasing steeply in the most recent data, which is still incomplete. The flat and declining case count trends seen in mid-to-late December may be due to fewer people seeking care or getting tested over the holidays, rather than an actual decrease in COVID-19 activity. Hospitalization trends show a similar decline through Dec. 30 followed by a rebound in early January.
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COVID-19 transmission continues to plateau at a level above 1.0, meaning the number of people becoming infected is increasing. The best estimate of the reproductive number (how many new people each COVID-19 patient will infect) on Dec. 24 was 1.09 in western Washington and 1.13 in eastern Washington. The goal is maintaining a reproductive number well below one—meaning COVID-19 transmission is declining—for a substantial amount of time.
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Case rates remain high, with 31 of 39 counties at rates above 200 new cases per 100,000 people over the past two weeks. Eleven counties had rates above 500 new cases per 100,000 people.
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Many counties experienced declining case counts through late December with post-Christmas rebounds. This pattern was seen in Snohomish, Benton, Chelan, Clark, Cowlitz, Douglas, King, Kittitas, Kitsap, Lewis, Pierce, Spokane, Thurston, Whatcom and Yakima counties. Some of these rebounds appear to be approaching or exceeding peak November levels in recent, incomplete data. Whatcom County’s rebound is particularly steep, with the potential for case counts far higher than the November peak. Other counties saw case counts flatten after Christmas, including Grant, Grays Harbor, Mason, Okanogan, Walla Walla and Whitman counties.
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Hospital admissions and bed occupancy have remained high in late December and early January, with relatively flat trends. Daily hospital admissions of patients with confirmed COVID-19 have plateaued statewide since late November, with some fluctuation. In western Washington, the number of intensive care unit hospital beds occupied by COVID-19 patients decreased in early December, then flattened after. In eastern Washington, that number increased slowly until mid-December, then plateaued.
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The estimated overall percentage of Washington state residents with active COVID-19 infection remains close to peak estimates for late March 2020. The best model-based prevalence estimate as of Dec. 24 was 0.37%. While there was a drop in the prevalence estimate in December, the decrease may be related to changes in people’s decisions to seek testing and health care around the holidays.
“We are continuing to see flat trends at a high level of disease activity, with signs of a concerning uptick in the most recent data,” said Dr. Scott Lindquist, the state epidemiologist for communicable diseases. “If we want to maintain the progress we made in the fall and move forward with reopening, we must redouble our efforts to control the virus by avoiding gatherings with people who don’t live with us, wearing masks, watching our distance and washing our hands.”
See the full press release for more information.
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The state Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday shared key updates on our COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration efforts.
Phases & Changes
The state is eager to pick up the pace to get vaccines to people who need them and expects to move into Phase 1B in a matter of days. So, it is asking health care workers in Phase 1A who haven’t gotten their vaccine to make an appointment now.
“Opening up Phase 1B doesn’t ‘turn off the spigot’ for people Phase 1A,” says Assistant Secretary Michele Roberts, one of the state’s leaders for vaccine rollout, “but we want to make sure that the people prioritized now take advantage of the opportunity to get vaccinated in the next few days.”
Vaccines are the tool that will ultimately bring this pandemic era to an end. It is what will allow us to open our businesses; go back to school; hug our friends. But, there’s a lot to do before we get there. We need to make sure people at highest risk of getting very sick or dying get vaccinated first – and the rest of us follow suit when it’s our turn. That’s what prioritization is all about.
“We have to do it well, and we have to do it right,” adds Secretary of Health Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH. “It’s all about striking a balance between speed and proper process as we distribute vaccine. We’re going as fast as we can, but we need to do better, and we will. To our community we want to say: We’re on it. Finding the right balance is the key to success for the future, and that’s our goal.”
Vaccine: By-The-Numbers
As of January 11, providers in Washington have given 201,660 total doses of vaccine since Phase 1A began. This includes both first and second doses.
As of January 12, Washington state has received 624,975 doses of vaccine, which includes allocations from both Moderna and Pfizer. This week we will receive 123,275 doses.
This supply will go to 142 county sites and 11 tribal or Urban Indian Health Program sites.
As of January 12, 2021, there are 627 facilities fully enrolled as COVID-19 vaccine providers.
See the full press release for more information.
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New unemployment claims dropped by 4.6% in Snohomish County during the week of Jan. 3 through Jan. 9. There were 2,811 claims filed here, 135 less than the week before, according to the state Employment Security Department.
Statewide, there were 27,147 initial regular unemployment claims, down 8.4% from the prior week. Since the crisis began in March, ESD has processed 515,561 claims and paid more than $13.5 billion in benefits to over a million Washingtonians.
For more information see the full press release.
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Sno-Isle Libraries is now offering library cardholders Laptops to Go, plus Wi-Fi Hotspots to Go! Just place a hold to borrow one of 124 laptops or one of 50 Wi-Fi hotspots to get online, connect, learn and research. Laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots are available for checkout for one week, with a one-week renewal if no other customers have placed a hold on the equipment. Sno-Isle Libraries has been loaning laptop computers to customers since October, but use was limited to community library parking lots. That service continues to be available.
To borrow a laptop or hotspot to take home, customers will need a valid Sno-Isle Libraries card with a barcode. Online-only library accounts do not qualify for new program.
Laptops to Go and Wi-Fi Hotspots to Go will be quarantined for a full 24-hours upon return.
Learn more at https://www.sno-isle.org/news/need-a-laptop-or-wi-fi-sno-isle-libraries-can-help/
Arlington Library Circulation Supervisor Amy Stefany delivers a Laptop To Go bag.
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Many things about life in our region changed dramatically with the COVID-19 pandemic. Come hear three speakers address economic trends, the changed trends in traffic, aviation, population and employment, as well as changing demands on infrastructure as a result of telework. Our speakers will be: Josh Brown, Executive Director of Puget Sound Regional Council; Russ Elliott, Director of Washington State’s Broadband Office; and Chris Mefford, Interim President and CEO of Economic Alliance Snohomish County.
The presentations will start at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 27, 2021, and will take place virtually. The public is invited to listen in; see details below for how to register. This program is being co-sponsored by Snohomish County Tomorrow (SCT) and Snohomish County Cities (SCC).
To register visit http://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/168 or contact Cynthia Pruitt, SCT Coordinator, at Cynthia.Pruitt@snoco.org.
Full press release here.
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Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler extended his emergency order directing all state-regulated health insurers to make additional coverage changes to aid consumers during the coronavirus pandemic. His order is in effect until Feb. 7 and requires health insurers to:
- Continue coverage for providing telehealth via methods including telephone and video chat tools such as Facetime, Facebook Messenger video chat, Google Hangout video, Skype and Go-to-Meeting.
- Cover all medically necessary diagnostic testing for flu and certain other viral respiratory illnesses billed during a provider visit for COVID-19 with no copay, coinsurance or deductible.
- Treat drive-up testing sites for COVID-19 as provider visit with no copay, coinsurance or deductible.
Read the full news release here.
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The U.S. Small Business Administration has re-opened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan portal to PPP-eligible lenders with $1 billion or less in assets for First and Second Draw applications. The portal will fully open on Tuesday, Jan. 19 to all participating PPP lenders to submit First and Second Draw loan applications to SBA.
Earlier in the week, SBA granted dedicated PPP access to Community Financial Institutions (CFIs) which include Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs), Certified Development Companies (CDCs), and Microloan Intermediaries as part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to reach underserved and minority small businesses.
On Friday, SBA will continue its emphasis on reaching smaller lenders and businesses by opening to approximately 5,000 more lenders, including community banks, credit unions, and farm credit institutions. Moreover, the agency also plans to have dedicated service hours for these smaller lenders after the portal fully re-opens next week.
First Draw PPP Loans are for those borrowers who have not received a PPP loan before August 8, 2020. The first round of the PPP, which ran from March to August 2020, was a historic success helping 5.2 million small businesses keep 51 million American workers employed.
Second Draw PPP Loans are for eligible small businesses with 300 employees or less, that previously received a First Draw PPP Loan and will use or have used the full amount only for authorized uses, and that can demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020. The maximum amount of a Second Draw PPP loan is $2 million.
Updated PPP Lender forms, guidance, and resources are available at www.sba.gov/ppp.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expanding the requirement for a negative COVID-19 test to all air passengers entering the United States.
Air passengers are required to get a viral test (a test for current infection) within the 3 days before their flight to the U.S. departs, and provide written documentation of their laboratory test result (paper or electronic copy) to the airline or provide documentation of having recovered from COVID-19. Airlines must confirm the negative test result for all passengers or documentation of recovery before they board. If a passenger does not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery, or chooses not to take a test, the airline must deny boarding to the passenger.
This order was signed by the CDC Director on January 12, 2021 and will become effective on January 26, 2021.
Read the full release.
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Donating blood is a simple act that can mean so much to those in need. January is National Blood Donor Month, so what better time to make a donation and impact someone’s life.
On January 28th and 29th Lynnwood Convention Center will be hosting a pop-up blood drive. To register visit: https://schedule.bloodworksnw.org/DonorPortal/GroupLanding.aspx?s=5690
All donations are by appointment only. The pop-up centers are being conducted in accordance with social distancing guidelines. No walk-ins, guests, or people under age 16 are permitted onsite. All donors are required to wear masks during their appointment.
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Cumulative from Jan. 2020 through Jan. 15, 2021.
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ESSENTIAL LINKS AND PHONE NUMBERS FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION
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