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There have been “promising turns” in Snohomish County’s fight against COVID-19, with dropping case counts accompanied by the rising numbers of people getting vaccinated, a press conference was told Tuesday.
Dr. Chris Spitters, Health Officer at the Snohomish Health District, urged people to continue making sound COVID choices.
As of Tuesday, the county’s case rate had dropped from a recent high of 227 per 100,000, down to 193. This is the first significant decrease since mid-March, nearly two months ago, when the county achieved a COVID-19 case rate of 80 per 100,000 people before the fourth wave of infection started up.
“This is a welcome change,” Dr. Spitters said. “We attribute this shift in large part to the continued increase in vaccination coverage countywide.”
Dr. Spitters also discussed the recent E. coli outbreak among people who ate tainted yogurt and the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions updated guidance for mask wearing by fully vaccinated people.
The Governor’s Office and state Department of Health are working to update guidance documents for Washington, and more clarity should be expected in the days ahead, Spitters said.
It is already apparent, however, that relaxed mask wearing will not apply to health care settings like hospitals, long-term care, or medical and dental offices; or in correctional facilities, homeless shelters, or schools. The same is true on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation regardless of vaccination status.
Dr. Spitters acknowledged that some are concerned that more people who aren’t fully vaccinated will simply cease to wear masks as businesses and other locations start to relax requirements.
That should be motivation to get vaccinated, if you aren’t already, because it offers protection, he said.
Getting adults vaccinated also increases protection for the 120,000 children in the county under 12 who aren’t yet eligible for COVID-19 vaccines.
“Until we reach increased levels of vaccine coverage and further reduce cases to a level that permits us to safely relax prevention measures for all , let’s spread kindness, not COVID,” Dr. Spitters said “Mask up until you get vaccinated and get vaccinated as soon as possible.”
Find a video recording of the full briefing here: https://youtu.be/4OK63hRxPIA
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The number of people vaccinated against COVID-19 in Snohomish County continues to climb, with 59% of those age 16 and up now having at least initiated vaccination, a press conference was told Tuesday.
Jason Biermann, director of the county’s Department of Emergency Management, said the community is making steady vaccination progress. It could play a key role in helping the state hit the goal Gov. Jay Inslee set of 70% of people 16 and up initiating vaccination. The governor last week said the economy may reopen ahead of his June 30 target date if the vaccination goal is reached.
“We are the third most-populated county in the state, and we know we can play a major role in helping reopen our economy sooner through vaccination,” he said.
Last week saw a surge in interest at the mass vaccination sites run by the Snohomish County Vaccine Task Force. That coincided with approval of the Pfizer vaccine for people as young as 12. There were 1,649 people vaccinated who were 12 to 15 at taskforce mass vaccination sites between Friday and Sunday, Biermann said. Depending on location, between 45% and 61% of the shots given were to 12-to-15 year olds.
Statewide data show that vaccination rates are lagging among adults 50 and under, and it is people in that age group who can help speed the state to reopening the economy, Biermann said.
"Thank you to everyone who has gotten vaccinated and who has helped advocate for vaccination as our way out of this pandemic,” he said “We know those conversations within the community are often more impactful and meaningful in reassuring someone than anything I can say here, so I hope you’ll continue to talk with friends and family. Encourage them to get their shot. It really is safe, quick and easy.”
Watch the full briefing here: https://youtu.be/4OK63hRxPIA
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The schedules for the mass vaccination sites in Snohomish County through the end of the month are now available.
- May 19-25, 2021
- May 26-June 1, 2021
More info and updated schedules: http://bit.ly/snocovaccine
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Happy EMS Week! First responders throughout Snohomish County have played a critical role in vaccinating our community against COVID-19. This year, more than ever, please join us in thanking them for their service. #EMSStrong
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“It’s important to do, and if you feel that you want to become vaccinated then you should try to find an appointment and make it happen.”
-- Dara Salmon, Deputy Director, Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management
Why do you vax?
#vaxupsnoco
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Youtube: https://youtu.be/21VYT3nUMAo
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Women who are pregnant or who want to become pregnant can safely be vaccinated against COVID. It’s important to ask questions and have accurate info. If you’re worried about the vaccine and fertility, please consider talking it over with a professional healthcare provider.
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En Espanol
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This is the third installment from the state Department of Health addressing questions about COVID-19 vaccines. Among other things, this post addresses:
- What ingredients are in the vaccines?
- Is there fetal tissue in the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?
This information also is available en Espanol.
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The state’s three-week COVID-19 vaccine allocation forecast from the federal government shows Washington will be allocated more than 380,000 doses each week through the end of May. The current forecast does not show the state receiving allocations of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which is likely due to ongoing manufacturing challenges. Allocation numbers are subject to change as vaccine availability may change.
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This week: 385,180 total doses
- This includes 219,960 doses of Pfizer and 165,220 doses of Moderna
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Week of May 23: 383,369 total doses
- This includes 219,960 doses of Pfizer and 163,400 doses of Moderna
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Week of May 30: 385,180 total doses
- This includes 219,960 doses of Pfizer and 165,220 doses of Moderna
Recently providers have been ordering less vaccine than they did in the past. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported it’s seeing similar trends across the country. This could be for a variety of reasons, including the fact providers already have vaccine on hand, vaccine is coming into the state through other channels, such as the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, and demand for vaccine has begun to slow.
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Need to find a COVID-19 vaccine site near you or a loved one? Get a current list of vaccination sites straight to your phone.
The state Department of Health has a new service available to make it easy to find a shot. Text a ZIP Code to GETVAX (type in 438829) and get a reply by text with information on nearby vaccination sites, including those operated by public agencies, as well as pharmacies and other private businesses.
Reminder: mass vaccination sites operated by the Snohomish County Vaccine Taskforce are located around the county and offering free vaccine by appointment or drop in. See: http://bit.ly/snocovaccine
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This message was posted on the Sno-Isle Libraries website May 14 and also emailed to library patrons:
With the latest public-health guidelines released May 13 by the Centers for Disease Control and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, many may wonder about the impact on library services. The answer is that there are no immediate changes for Sno-Isle Libraries.
For now, our community libraries will continue to require customers and our employees to wear face coverings and be mindful of social distancing while in the buildings. For those customers who prefer to go without a face covering, we also continue to offer contact-free and online services.
See the full post for more information.
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The Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced Monday that the first monthly payment of the expanded and newly-advanceable Child Tax Credit (CTC) from the American Rescue Plan will be made on July 15.
Roughly 39 million households — covering 88% of children in the United States — are slated to begin receiving monthly payments without any further action required.
IRS and Treasury also announced the increased CTC payments will be made on the 15th of each month unless the 15th falls on a weekend or holiday. Families who receive the credit by direct deposit can plan their budgets around receipt of the benefit. Eligible families will receive a payment of up to $300 per month for each child under age 6 and up to $250 per month for each child age 6 and above.
The American Rescue Plan increased the maximum Child Tax Credit in 2021 to $3,600 for children under the age of 6 and to $3,000 per child for children between ages 6 and 17. The American Rescue Plan is projected to lift more than 5 million children out of poverty this year, cutting child poverty by more than half.
See the full press release for more information.
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The City of Mill Creek announced on Facebook that it has reopened passport services on a reservation system. Currently, the city is only taking reservations one week at a time on Mondays through Saturdays from 8 am to 4:30 pm.
The City of Mill Creek is an acceptance agent for the U.S. Department of State. You may submit your application and obtain your photographs for a U.S. Passport at City Hall offices during the hours listed above. You do not have to reside in Mill Creek – all are welcome. All applicants must be present at time of application. Applicants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by both parents. Payment must be made by check or money order (NO CASH).
Photos are not currently being taken during the appointment time. Bring a Passport photo with you to your appointment. Photos may be acquired at Rite Aid, CVS or Bartell Drug Stores. Find additional information about Passport Services at www.cityofmillcreek.com/passports.
Face masks are required during the time of your appointment. Touchless temperature checks will be taken at the door. Schedule your passport reservation time at https://cityofmillcreek.fullslate.com.
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Cumulative from January 2020 through May 17, 2021.
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ESSENTIAL LINKS AND PHONE NUMBERS FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION
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