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Snohomish County is heading toward a state Roadmap to Recovery assessment late this week, and COVID-19 data suggest the community is failing to hit two key metrics that would allow it to remain in Phase 3, a virtual press briefing was told Tuesday.
The COVID-19 case rate is well above the 200 cases per 100,000 population limit, and the hospitalization rate also appears to be above the allowed level of less than 5 new hospitalizations per 100,000 residents in a 7-day period.
The information was shared during a briefing about the community’s response to the pandemic, delivered by Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers, Health Officer Dr. Chris Spitters, county Emergency Management Director Jason Biermann and Shawneri Guzman, community outreach manager at South County Fire.
Efforts to ensure equitable access to COVID vaccines were also discussed.
Case rates are climbing even as many people are lining up to be vaccinated against COVID. Last week, the county passed the milepost of more than 500,000 doses of vaccine administered here. Roughly one in every three people age 16 and up are now fully vaccinated.
Dr. Spitters said it is painful to watch another wave of infection build in the community as it spreads illness, disrupts the economy and interferes with educating young people.
Facing the prospect of returning to more restrictions is frustrating, particularly knowing how many businesses and families are suffering, Executive Somers said.
He urged people to continue to wear masks, keep their distance and avoid indoor gatherings.
“Get vaccinated. That’s our path forward,” Somers said.
Watch the full briefing here: https://youtu.be/5CdU5r4uSJo
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The Snohomish County Vaccine Taskforce is working to improve access to COVID-19 vaccines. Changes are being implemented this week so appointments can be posted with more notice, and hours are being expanded to offer options such as weekends and evenings. Special clinics also are being arranged to allow people who have had a first dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines to arrange for a second dose, particularly if they somehow missed an earlier appointment.
Key changes this week include:
- VACCINE APPOINTMENTS FOR APRIL 27-MAY 2: Appointments now posted for this week at: Arlington Airport, Monroe Fairgrounds, Boom City, and Ash Way Park & Ride. Registration: http://bit.ly/snocovaccine
- EVENING CLINIC AVAILABLE: The Ash Way Park & Ride mass vaccination site is offering afternoon and evening appointments on Thursday, April 29, noon to 7 p.m.
- Drive-thru registration: https://bit.ly/3sSlIaD
While some areas of the state and country are reporting declines in interest in vaccination against COVID-19, “all the indicators in Snohomish County are the majority of folks here do want to be vaccinated,” Jason Biermann, the county’s emergency management director, told a media briefing Tuesday.
The changes being made recognize that offering vaccinations outside regular work hours, particularly evenings and weekends, may be necessary to fit many schedules.
Vaccination is key to the community beating COVID, and many people waited patiently since the vaccines first became available in December for their turn for eligibility, Biermann said.
Everyone 16 and up can now be vaccinated, and there are plenty of appointments.
“Please don’t miss your shot at getting your shot,” Biermann said.
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 As part of the Snohomish County Vaccine Taskforce efforts, Emergency Medical Services teams from Snohomish County fire agencies have been providing vaccination at mobile clinics as well as for homebound individuals who cannot access vaccination outside of their home. The work started in January with long-term care facilities, and for the last couple of months has included a variety of locations where people may struggle to access vaccination.
On Tuesday, the teams expected to vaccinate the 200th homebound person in the county, Shawneri Guzman, community outreach manager at South County Fire, told a virtual press conference.
“We hear almost on a daily basis from individuals ‘Thank you for the vaccination because I really just want to hug my grandkids.’ And so that is what kind of keeps us going, despite the frustration with hospitalizations and case counts continuing to rise,” Guzman said.
The mobile teams have worked closely with federal pharmacy partners and others to vaccinate residents and staff at long-term care facilities, more than 190 so far, Guzman said. Clinics have also been performed at locations where people at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19 face barriers in accessing vaccination sites. These include senior housing, senior centers, homeless shelters and supportive housing. Mobile clinics have been performed at 61 such locations, including 10 shelters serving people experiencing homelessness.
The teams also have been going to people’s homes to provide vaccination to those with no other access. The formal process for vaccination of homebound individuals began in March. Of the roughly 200 people vaccinated through the program, more than 130 are now fully vaccinated, Guzman said.
People who are homebound or who know someone who is homebound who needs vaccination can contact the COVID-19 call center for Snohomish County. The call center is staffed 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and the number is 425-339-5278.
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“We all have somebody we love. If we get vaccinated, we’re protecting them.”
- Washington State Governor Jay Inslee
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This is the second installment from the state Department of Health addressing questions about COVID-19 vaccines. In this post:
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Are there really microchips or tracking devices in the COVID-19 vaccine?
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Can home remedies prevent COVID-19 and protect me from getting sick?
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The state Department of Health has begun resuming use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine across the Washington.
This decision is based on recommendations Friday from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, as well as careful consideration and close review by DOH.
Gov. Jay Inslee also announced authorization by the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup. The workgroup, comprised of vaccine experts from Washington, California, Oregon and Nevada, has met to review the data and analysis to ensure the safety and efficacy of all FDA-authorized vaccines.
“The benefits of the J&J vaccine outweigh the risks associated with it,” Inslee said. “We want to keep as many people free from COVID and out of the hospital as possible, and the J&J vaccine will help us get through this pandemic. I encourage people to get whatever vaccine is available to them. If you have questions or concerns, consult a provider to help answer questions you have.”
The federal agencies ordered an 11-day pause as a precaution after six cases of a rare but severe type of blood clot were reported following administration of the J&J vaccine. In these cases, a blood clot in the brain formed, which is called thrombosis. This is coupled with low blood platelets, known as thrombocytopenia. When those both occur after a vaccine, it is referred to as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS).
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The Snohomish County Vaccine Taskforce has resumed use of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine. Supply of this vaccine brand remains more limited than the other vaccines at this time, but some appointments are being offered at the Ash Way Park & Ride mass vaccination site on Sunday with the J&J vaccine.
Supplementary patient information regarding the J&J vaccine has been made available on the registration page for the mass vaccination sites, as well as at any sites using the J&J vaccine. You can see that one-pager here: https://www.snohd.org/DocumentCenter/View/7233/JandJ-Patient-Update
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Washington state’s three-week vaccine forecast shows allocations for Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna will remain fairly consistent. The numbers are subject to change as vaccine availability from the federal government may change.
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This week: 370,340 total doses (191,680 first doses, 178,660 second doses)
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This includes 212,940 doses of Pfizer and 157,400 doses of Moderna
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Week of May 2: 377,360 total doses (191,680 first doses, 185,680 second doses)
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This includes 219,960 doses of Pfizer and 157,400 doses of Moderna
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Week of May 9: 383,360 total doses (191,680 first doses, 191,680 second doses)
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This includes 219,960 doses of Pfizer and 163,400 doses of Moderna
In addition to Pfizer and Moderna, the forecast shows Washington will receive 4,300 doses of the J&J vaccine in early May. We hope to learn more from our federal partners about the J&J vaccine at the end of the week.
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The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) last week recognized MRC programs and individuals around the country. Snohomish County MRC coordinator Therese Quinn was chosen for the Elizabeth Fitch Memorial Leadership Award for “individuals who exemplify the outstanding passion, commitment, and spirit of volunteerism, partnership, and leadership that Elizabeth embodied and inspired in others.”
The award highlighted that, “Therese has been instrumental in coordinating surge volunteer staff for the COVID-19 response from day one in January 2020. Therese has not slowed down since, adeptly managing surplus volunteer interest, collaborating with nearby MRC units, and expertly managing virtual volunteer engagement while still finding time to mentor other units directly … Therese is generous with her time and talents and the MRC network is lucky to have her.”
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The U.S. Small Business Administration has opened the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant application portal for operators of live venues, live performing arts organizations, museums and movie theatres, as well as live venue promoters, theatrical producers and talent representatives to apply for critical economic relief.
“We recognize the urgency and need to get this program up and running,” said Barb Carson, deputy associate administrator of SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance. “With venue operators in danger of closing, every day that passes by is a day that these businesses cannot afford.”
The SBA recommends eligible applicants take the following actions:
The SVOG program was appropriated more than $16.2 billion for grants via the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act and the American Rescue Plan Act. Of these funds, at least $2 billion is reserved for eligible SVOG applications with up to 50 full-time employees. Eligible applicants may qualify for grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue up to a maximum amount of $10 million for a single grant.
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Have you gotten your COVID-19 vaccination yet? With multiple mass vaccination clinic locations in Snohomish County, it’s quick and easy to get yours. Most people are done in less than 30 minutes. To see what’s available in your area, please go to www.bit.ly/snocovaccine.
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Cumulative from January 2020 through April 26, 2021.
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ESSENTIAL LINKS AND PHONE NUMBERS FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION
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