August 18, 2021

Hospitals feeling pressure as COVID cases rise

The delta variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 is fueling a sharp rise in cases in Snohomish County, raising concerns about the hospital system’s ability to keep pace, a virtual press conference was told Tuesday.

It is critical that eligible people who haven’t yet been vaccinated take their shot, and that everybody resume wearing masks in indoor public spaces and outdoors when encountering crowds, said Dr. Chris Spitters, Health Officer for the Snohomish Health District.

“The delta strain is a game changer in multiple ways,” Dr. Spitters said.

The new variant is proving far more infectious than previous strains. Nearly 1,700 new COVID cases were reported in the county last week, up from 1,300 the week prior. That’s pushed the case rate to more than 360 new cases per 100,000 people – with no signs of slowing.

The rising cases are placing more pressure on the health care system. As of Tuesday morning, 75 people were in area hospitals being treated for COVID. Current hospital ICU occupancy is 90%.

While available vaccines are proving less effective against the delta variant, people who are fully vaccinated are largely being spared serious COVID complications that require hospital care, the press conference was told.

Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers said choosing to be vaccinated remains the right decision.

“Not being vaccinated means that you have a higher risk of serious illness or death,” Executive Somers said.

More than 70% of county residents already have at least initiated vaccination. Even so, Dr. Spitters said that the only way to curb rising cases is to get more of the estimated 230,000 people eligible for vaccination to take their shot, and for everybody to be more rigorous in practicing good COVID hygiene, including maintaining social distancing and masking up.

That’s why, Dr. Spitters said, he opted last week to issue a new masking directive.

“We don’t take these decisions and actions lightly, and I know that they aren’t popular with everyone,” he said. “I recognize that some people — vaccinated or not — find it extremely frustrating to have to go back to wearing masks in public. But we have to do what is right and to protect the community at large, to protect the hospital system.”

Executive Somers told reporters he’s carefully monitoring what is happening with the COVID case rate and hospitalizations, and while he doesn’t anticipate a return to restrictions on business occupancy and other measures, that doesn’t mean those tools may not prove necessary.

“Stay tuned. Who knows? This current spike in new cases is troubling,” Executive Somers said.

Watch a video of the full briefing: https://youtu.be/kWnu_MWOx7A

Health officers across Washington urge residents to mask up indoors

On July 26, Snohomish County Health Officer Dr. Chris Spitters joined seven other health officers in Washington in issuing a statement urging residents to wear a mask indoors. 

In light of the rising case rates, hospitalizations and the highly transmissible delta variant, all health officers across the state are joining in to reiterate the importance of vaccination and urging masking for everyone entering a public indoor space, regardless of vaccination status. 

Local health officers across Washington have issued the following statement:  The health officers representing all 35 local health jurisdictions in Washington state have joined together to pass on their best public health advice to protect you, your family, and our communities. We recommend all residents wear facial coverings when in indoor public settings where the vaccination status of those around you is unknown. This step will help reduce the risk of COVID-19 to the public, including customers and workers, help stem the increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in many parts of the state and decrease the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant. Vaccinations are our best defense against COVID-19 and are safe, effective, and readily available for everyone age 12 and over. Please get yours immediately if you are not already vaccinated. This statement is in alignment with the local masking directive announced last week. That directive states that everyone 5 years of age and up in Snohomish County must wear a face covering within indoor public spaces.  See the full press release for more information.

More in county initiating vaccination against COVID-19 than seen in recent weeks

Thank you to everyone who is taking their shot! More people in Snohomish County are getting their first doses of COVID vaccine – nearly 5,600 initiated vaccination in the last week compared to a little over 3,000 a couple of weeks ago.

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Compare local COVID case rates, vaccinations

The three graphics below help describe what is happening with COVID now in Snohomish County, where 80% of new cases are occurring among those who have not yet been vaccinated against the virus. The maps depict the distribution of COVID cases and vaccinations by ZIP code as of the end of July. The bar chart shows vaccination rates by race and ethnicity. See the latest vaccination demographic data analysis for more details, as well as other information on the Snohomish Health District’s vaccine information page.

Questions about third doses?

Third doses of vaccines that fight COVID have been recommended for certain immunocompromised individuals. And the White House on Wednesday said third doses for the general public may be available by late September.

Health care providers in Washington can now offer third doses of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to certain immunocompromised individuals following recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Advisory Committee on Immunizations Practices (ACIP), and Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup. If you are not certain if you qualify for a third dose at this time, please talk with your primary health care provider. Community-based COVID-19 vaccination clinics offered by the Snohomish Health District (www.snohd.org/community-vax-clinics) are currently offering first and second doses. They are NOT providing third shots at this time. Third doses may be offered at future clinics and we will provide updated information when available.

Take extra care with wildfire smoke particularly during COVID crisis

Smoke from wildfires has cast a pall in Snohomish County in recent days, degrading air quality. There likely will be repeat episodes until the hard rains of fall. Poor air quality can cause respiratory symptoms similar to COVID-19. If you are feeling sick, it’s best to stay inside. Contact your medical provider if your symptoms worsen. For more information about the signs of COVID, please go here: www.snohd.org/543/COVID-19-Signs-and-Symptoms

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Inslee requires vaccines for all education workers; mandates masks indoors again

Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday announced a vaccination requirement for all employees working in K-12, most childcare and early learning, and higher education.

He also expanded, effective Monday, the requirement that masks be worn in public indoor areas statewide by everyone age 5 and up, regardless of vaccination status.

The moves came after Washington recently broke the previous record for COVID hospitalizations set in December. Every county in the state currently falls within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) definition for areas of substantial or high transmission, and each of the state’s 35 local health officers recently recommended all individuals wear masks indoors.  The governor was joined for the announcement by Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal and Secretary of Health Dr. Umair A. Shah. Reykdal said all school staff will have to show proof of being full vaccinated by Oct. 18 as a condition of employment. The vaccination order does not apply to students. Opening schools for in-person instruction is the goal, Reykdal said, and safely keeping them open matters to learning, the economy and families. “It has been a long pandemic, and our students and teachers have borne their own unique burdens throughout,” Inslee said. “This virus is increasingly impacting young people, and those under the age of 12 still can’t get the vaccine for themselves. We won’t gamble with the health of our children, our educators and school staff, nor the health of the communities they serve.” For more information see the full press release or watch the press conference on TVW.

Delta variant drives spike in cases statewide

COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are accelerating across the state of Washington, demonstrating the delta variant’s potential to unravel our hard-fought progress toward recovery. Unvaccinated people are being hit hardest, and public health officials continue to urge everyone who has not gotten fully vaccinated to do so immediately.

“We are extremely concerned by this increased spike in cases, driven by the delta variant, spreading like wildfire amongst men, women, and children,” said Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH, Secretary of Health. “Vaccination the best tool we have in this pandemic, but we also recommend that individuals mask indoors, and avoid large, crowded settings vaccinated or not. We need to use all the tools we have to reduce the ongoing spread of this virus in our community and to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.” Prevalence is approaching levels last seen in the winter 2020 surge, which means a lot of people are currently infected and may be spreading the virus. As of July 30, one in 172 WA residents was estimated to have an active COVID-19 infection. Hospitals and health care facilities are under immense and increasing strain. COVID-19 related hospital admissions reached November 2020 levels as of August 8 based on data reported by hospitals. COVID-19 admission rates are increasing in all 18+ age groups. See the full press release for more information.

Confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases in Snohomish County

Cumulative from January 2020 to present.

ESSENTIAL LINKS AND PHONE NUMBERS FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION

• Snohomish Health District 
• Snohomish County 
• Snohomish County COVID-19 Response & Community Resource Hub 
• Washington State 
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
• Snohomish County Vaccine Appointments bit.ly/snocovaccine
• Snohomish County COVID-19 Call Center 425-339-5278
• Snohomish County COVID-19 Phone Line: 425-388-3944 
• Línea telefónica COVID-19 del condado de Snohomish: 425-388-7120 
• Washington State COVID-19 Hotline: Call 1-800-525-0127 or text 211-211 for help