September 1, 2021

Hospitals struggling as COVID surge continues

Hospitals in Snohomish County are seeing a surge of ill people needing treatment for COVID-19 as the delta variant drives up new cases to the second-highest level so far since the pandemic began in early 2020, a virtual press conference was told Tuesday.

The rate of new COVID cases during the last two weeks now stands at 446 per 100,000 people, said Dr. Chris Spitters, Health Officer for the Snohomish Health District.

About 15,000 tests for COVID were performed in the community last week, with roughly 15% coming back positive – a level not seen since April 2020, when the virus was just beginning to infect people here.

COVID hospitalizations are running close to 100 people a day. That hasn’t happened since before vaccines became widely available in the spring, Dr. Spitters said.

“Without the benefits of vaccination afforded to the community by the roughly half million Snohomish County residents who have lent their arm to the effort, our currently stressed health care system would be completely overwhelmed,” he added.

Dr. Jay Cook, Chief Medical Officer at Providence Regional Medical Center, said the Everett hospital admitted more than 300 people diagnosed with COVID during August, averaging about 10 new patients each day.

Three-quarters of those people were not vaccinated, he said. The same was true of 96% of those COVID patients who were so ill they required admission to intensive care, Dr. Cook said.

The hospital is close to capacity, as are many others around the state, he added.

Both doctors urged people to get vaccinated if they haven’t done so already, to continue wearing masks indoors where the virus is known to spread most easily, and to avoid crowds.

Without intervention, the virus will continue to spread and cases to climb, perhaps to new highs, the press conference was told.

“I want to again plead to the 200,000 eligible and yet still unvaccinated individuals in the community to go get your vaccination series started as soon as possible, if not today,” Dr. Spitters said. “The vast majority of the bad news you are hearing about COVID and the delta strain is affecting unvaccinated people. At this point, many community pharmacies are accepting same-day or even walk-in appointments. If not today, then set a date soon by when you will do it.”

Watch a video of the full briefing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYTxQSB9Y0Y

More than 70% of eligible people in county have at least initiated vaccination

The best time to get your COVID-19 shot is today. Thanks to the 6500+ people who were vaccinated last week, 71% of Snohomish County is now protected against the threat of serious illness from COVID. To find out where you can get your free shot, go here: https://www.snohd.org/564/COVID-Vaccine-Info

Attendees at Arlington basketball tourney should consider testing for COVID

The Snohomish Health District has identified at least six confirmed case associated with the 3on3X Basketball Tournament held at the Arlington Airport on Aug. 14-15.

Other investigations are pending and staff are working with event organizers to get a list of all participants. However, not all spectators can be identified, and the Health District is unable to exclude the possibility that transmission occurred at the event.

The Health District suggests that attendees consider pursuing COVID-19 testing if they attended the tournament, especially if they are not completely vaccinated or have developed COVID-like symptoms since the event. This suggestion applies to players, coaches, volunteers or spectators. Testing can be obtained at one of the Health District’s community-based testing locations at www.snohd.org/testing or calling 425-339-5278, or by contacting their healthcare provider or another testing facility. 

The average incubation period for COVID-19—or the amount of time from exposure to first development of symptoms, varies. It is usually 4 to 6 days but can range from 2 to 14 days.

With Snohomish County considered a high transmission area and hospitals operating at or above 90 percent capacity, the Health District now recommends the following regarding large gatherings:

• Consider avoiding large gatherings, especially if you are not completely vaccinated, are immunosuppressed, or are advanced in age. This is particularly true for indoor settings or crowded outdoor settings where social distancing cannot be maintained.
• Remain home if you are ill.
• Ensure masks are worn properly, keep at least 6’ physical distance, and wash hands or use hand sanitizer frequently. 
• Enable WA Notify on your smartphone so that you can be alerted if you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
• Consider seeking testing 3 to 5 days after attendance, particularly if unvaccinated.

See the full press release for more information.

Some options for getting your COVID shot

Stop by and get your free COVID-19 shot! Community vaccination clinics are being offered this week in the following locations:

• Park Place Middle, Sept 1, 4PM-7PM
• Evergreen State Fair, Sept 3-5, 11AM-3PM
• Arlington Farmers Market, Sept 4, 10AM-2PM
• Everett Farmers Market, Sept 5, 10:30AM-3:00PM

Click here for more information, or to pre-register.

Are you fully vaccinated against COVID?

Questions about when you are considered “fully vaccinated” after getting your COVID-19 shot? Check out the table below. If you need proof of vaccination for work or school, and have lost your original vaccine card, please go to www.myIR.net to access your records.

Two doses of Pfizer or Moderna is considered fully vaccinated, but certain individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised may receive a third dose. If you believe you qualify, please check with your healthcare provider. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have more information.

VIDEO: Ivermectin not for fighting COVID-19

Ivermectin is not effective at preventing or treating COVID-19. Ivermectin is an antiparasitic drug commonly used in humans and animals. The FDA has received multiple reports of people who were hospitalized after self-medicating with ivermectin. Drugs prescribed for animals are often highly concentrated and therefore may be more toxic to humans.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week issued a health advisory against attempting to use Ivermectin to fight COVID. The state Department of Health also advises against using Ivermectin to combat COVID. See the full press release for more information.

The video below describes in greater detail concerns about how some are attempting to use Ivermectin now.

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DOH: What’s up with COVID outside the U.S.?

How do COVID-19 vaccinations differ around the world? There are at least 217 countries and territories offering COVID-19 vaccines. They’re all part of the largest vaccination effort in the history of the world. And although they all share a common goal to vaccinate their populations, they have different ways of doing so. Read more.

¿Cómo difiere la vacunación contra la COVID-19 en todo el mundo? Hay al menos 217 países y territorios que distribuyen vacunas, y todos ellos contribuyen al mayor esfuerzo de vacunación de la historia. Aunque estos 217 países tienen el objetivo común de vacunar a sus poblaciones, la forma de lograrlo puede ser diferente. Leer más.

Statewide moratorium on utility shut-offs during COVID set to end Sept. 30

The emergency proclamation preventing shut-off of water, electricity or natural gas services is slated to end Sept. 30. It is among the many emergency measures enacted by Gov. Jay Inslee in the wake of COVID-19.

State leaders and utility operators estimate more than 500,000 Washingtonians have overdue bills that could result in services shutting off. They urge customers to contact their utilities as soon as possible to make a plan to keep their services on.

Information for customers is available at commerce.wa.gov/utility-assistance in 36 languages.

“This moratorium has provided hundreds of thousands of Washington families much-needed peace of mind during the pandemic, and now utility companies are eager and ready to help their customers make a plan that keeps their services on,” Inslee said. “I urge people make that call as soon as they can. That call can give a family one less thing to worry about as fall and winter approaches.”

Customers looking for help in paying their electric bills can call the Snohomish County PUD’s Customer Service at 425-783-1000. For more information on the PUD’s Income-Qualified Assistance Program, customers can click here.

Information on emergency rental assistance and help with utilities in Snohomish County also is available here.

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