The rate of COVID-19 infection in Snohomish County has hit 69 new cases per 100,000 population, the lowest level since autumn 2020. It was noted during a press conference on Tuesday that decline may slowing.
County Executive Dave Somers and Dr. Chris Spitters, Health Officer for the Snohomish Health District, briefed reporters about the community’s COVID response.
The drop in new COVID cases corresponds to the rising numbers of people here who have at least initiated vaccination against the virus. Roughly 400,000 county residents age 12 and up are now fully vaccinated. Unfortunately, data modeling suggests that likely is too low a percentage to thwart spread of the virus should unvaccinated people opt to stop wearing masks, engaging in social distancing and other COVID-fighting behaviors, Dr. Spitters said.
It is “conceivable” that the community could see a resurgence in COVID cases, but also preventable, if only more people get vaccinated, he said.
Executive Somers said he is excited about the state reopening soon, but also has concerns. He agreed that more vaccinations are key.
“We need to celebrate the progress we’ve made and try to avoid a fifth wave,” he said.
The state is preparing to relax COVID restrictions by June 30, or earlier, if 70% of adults have at least initiated vaccination. Meanwhile, county government is planning on July 6 to transition to more in-person services at county buildings, Somers said.
Find a video recording of the full briefing here: https://youtu.be/69-bkZGomBI
More than two-thirds of Snohomish County residents ages 16-plus now have at least begun vaccination against COVID-19. Let’s push for the 70% summit. Get your shot or encourage somebody else to take that step: http://bit.ly/snocovaccine
#vaxupsnoco
The other epidemic in Snohomish County received public attention Tuesday.
A virtual press conference focusing on the county’s response to the COVID crisis also provided an update on community efforts to address havoc associated with substance abuse disorder, a problem largely fueled by opioids.
Opioid-related overdose deaths in Snohomish County increased during the COVID pandemic, especially in the latter half of 2020, said Dr. Chris Spitters, Health Officer for the Snohomish Health District.
Much of that loss is due to increasing prevalence of synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl. Dr. Spitters showed data tracking the opioid epidemic’s shift from abuse of prescription opioid pain killers, then heroin, and now synthetic opioids.
“As you can see, fentanyl-related deaths have increased dramatically, with preliminary numbers for 2020 showing 126 deaths linked to fentanyl—more than twice what it was just two years prior,” Dr. Spitters said.
Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers in late 2017 partially activated the county’s emergency management system to address the opioid epidemic. In the years since, people from the county’s Department of Emergency Management have joined forces with colleagues in Human Services, the Health District, the Sheriff’s Office, area cities, the fire service and others. The Snohomish County Opioid Response Multi-Agency Coordination Group (MAC Group) continues to use innovation and collaboration to address the challenge, said Jason Biermann, the county’s emergency management director.
One key initiative has been encouraging people to learn how to use Naloxone, also known as Narcan, a lifesaving medication that blocks or reverses the effects of opioids, including potentially fatal overdoses.
“We need to have people know the signs and to be able to save a life,” said Amy Hill, Opioid Outreach Specialist with the Behavioral Health Division of the county’s Human Services Department.
Learn more about opioids, prevention, Narcan training and outreach at the Snohomish Overdose Prevention website and the Human Services Opioids Awareness webpage.
Find a video recording of the opioid briefing here: https://youtu.be/69-bkZGomBI?t=452
Or watch the brief social media video below that captures key information from Tuesday's update.
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Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers, Emergency Management Director Jason Biermann, Health Officer Dr. Chris Spitters, and Snohomish County Human Services Opioid Outreach Specialist Amy Hill provide updates on the response to COVID-19.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69-bkZGomBI
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