|
|
COVID-19 cases in Snohomish County are spreading most rapidly among younger people, particularly school-aged children, a virtual press conference was told Tuesday.
In the past two weeks, one in five new cases involved people aged 14 or younger. Meanwhile, another 57% of new cases were among those ages 20 to 49, said Shawn Frederick, Administrative Officer for the Snohomish Health District.
For the two-week period ending Oct. 23, the COVID case rate rose from 331 to 351 new cases per 100,000. There were more than 1,600 new cases reported last week alone.
“If that trend continues again this week, we will quickly see our case rates exceeding 400 again,” Frederick said.
County Executive Dave Somers noted that the rise in cases follows weeks of decline and he hopes the increase is temporary.
The latest numbers show that the community’s progress against the virus is fragile and there is no option but to remain vigilant, he said.
The Executive outlined efforts the county’s new Office of Recovery is discussing with community partners, including leaders at area cities and nonprofit agencies. Funded with American Rescue Plan Act money, the programs are designed to support economic recovery while addressing other challenges, including public health, access to affordable childcare, and shelter.
Discussions also are underway with public and private sector partners about options for expanding access to broadband internet service, particularly in rural areas. Somers said he is grateful to the County Council for dedicating recovery dollars to support the efforts.
“All of these investments will help those in need, and ensure we are doing all we can to help our community recover from the pandemic,” Executive Somers said.
Frederick joined the Somers in encouraging people to continue masking up and, if eligible, getting vaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19.
“Whether it’s at your healthcare provider’s office, your local pharmacy, or a local community clinic, take 10 minutes today to get your vaccine,” he said.
Watch a video of the full briefing: https://youtu.be/CcqcjfhLaUU
|
|
|
The state Department of Health and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup have endorsed the recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) authorization for a booster shot of COVID-19 vaccines in certain populations.
For individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at six months or more after their initial series:
For people who got the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are also recommended for those who are 18 and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago.
Pfizer and J&J’s boosters are both full doses, while Moderna’s booster is a half dose. Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. According to the FDA and CDC, studies found “mixing and matching” boosters is safe and effective. This means your booster shot does not have to be the same COVID-19 vaccine type your primary vaccination was. For example, someone who received the J&J vaccine can receive a booster dose of J&J, Pfizer, or Moderna. Likewise, someone who received two doses of an mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) can receive a Moderna, Pfizer, or J&J booster. People should talk with their healthcare provider if they have questions on which vaccine is best for them.
The FDA’s authorization and CDC’s recommendation for use are important steps forward as we work to stay ahead of the virus and keep our communities safe. However, this action should not distract from the critical work of ensuring that unvaccinated people take the first step and get an initial COVID-19 vaccine. Nearly 200,000 eligible Snohomish County residents remain unvaccinated, leaving themselves–and their children, families, loved ones, and communities– vulnerable.
See the full press release for more information.
|
|
|
An FDA advisory committee voted Tuesday to move forward in recommending the approval of Pfizer vaccinations for children ages 5-11. There are still several steps that need to be taken before vaccinations can become available. More information: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/index.html
|
|
|
Spread the news: Roughly three in every four eligible people in Snohomish County ages 12-plus now have at least begun vaccination against COVID-19, and more than 3,800 completed the series in the seven-day period ending Oct. 19. Take your shot: https://www.snohd.org/587/How-to-Get-Your-Shot
|
|
|
"I got vaccinated because I felt it was the right thing to do. As a science teacher, I did my research and getting vaccinated did not pose a risk." -Brian Cherniak, Cascade High School Tennis Coach & Science Teacher
Why do you vax? #VaxUpSnoCo
Find your vaccine at: https://www.snohd.org/587/How-to-Get-Your-Shot
Facebook
Twitter
|
|
|
The latest COVID-19 modeling and surveillance situation report from the state Department of Health shows case counts, hospital admissions and hospital occupancy have declined, yet these levels remain high. Hospitals across the state are operating at full capacity, and projections suggest high levels of occupancy are likely to continue through the fall months.
Report findings include:
-
Transmission rates declined in September.
- COVID-19 prevalence declined in September.
- Average daily COVID-19 are still high.
- Hospital admissions and occupancy for COVID-19 have decreased but remain high.
“We’re hopeful that the declines we’ve seen in the last few weeks will continue, but that will only be possible if vaccination rates continue to increase and we continue wearing masks,” said Scott Lindquist, MD, MPH, state epidemiologist for communicable diseases. “Our individual choices over the next several weeks will determine whether hospitals are able to return to a sustainable level of operations by the end of December.”
See the full press release for more information.
|
|
|
The state Department of Health’s Public Health Connection blog explores the impact the fifth wave of COVID infections has had on Washington’s healthcare system:
Hospitals reaching maximum capacity adds urgency to COVID vaccination efforts – Even though some aspects of daily life may have returned to normal, COVID-19 is still a major threat. Like most health care systems nationwide, Washington hospitals and health care workers are under tremendous strain due to staffing shortages and increased numbers of COVID-19 patients.
The fifth pandemic wave has increased the number of COVID patients in hospitals statewide, even more than during the third wave of November and December 2020.
When hospitals are at or near capacity, it means all beds in a hospital are full, or the hospital staff are caring for the maximum number of recommended patients.
Read more
Los hospitales están llegando a su capacidad máxima. Es necesario vacunarse con urgencia -- Aunque algunos aspectos de la vida diaria han regresado a la normalidad, el COVID-19 sigue siendo una gran amenaza. Como la mayoría de los sistemas de salud nacionales, los hospitales de Washington y los trabajadores de la salud, están muy exigidos como resultado de la falta de personal y el aumento de los pacientes con COVID-19.
La quinta ola de la pandemia ha aumentado el número de pacientes con COVID-19 en los hospitales de todo el estado, incluso más que durante la tercera ola de noviembre y diciembre de 2020.
Cuando los hospitales están al máximo o cerca de su capacidad, significa que todas las camas en un hospital están llenas o que el personal del hospital está atendiendo al número máximo de pacientes recomendados.
Leer más
|
|
|
My child's too young for the COVID-19 vaccine. What can I do? It can be hard to enjoy seasonal holidays and activities without the assurance of a vaccine for younger children. And while childhood cases have declined since its all-time high (just last month), children represented about 25 percent of all COVID-19 cases last week. Waiting for your child's turn to get the vaccine may feel discouraging. But there are reasons to be hopeful.
Read more
|
Mi hijo es muy pequeño para recibir la vacuna contra el COVID-19. ¿Qué puedo hacer? Algunos niños están entusiasmados de recibir su vacuna igual que su mama, papa o hermanos mayores. Como padre, esperar el turno de su hijo para recibir la vacuna puede sentirse como una eternidad. ¡Pero hay razones para tener esperanza! Es posible que pronto llegue una vacuna para niños más pequeños. También hay formas de proteger a toda su familia, sin importar la edad de sus hijos.
Leer más
|
|
|
The Biden Administration has announced a new international air travel policy on COVID-19 vaccinations designed to be stringent, consistent across the globe, and guided by public health.
From the U.S. Department of State’s FAQ page:
- Starting on November 8, foreign national air travelers to the United States will be required to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of vaccination status prior to boarding an airplane to fly to the United States, with only limited exceptions.
- The CDC has determined that for the purposes of entry into the United States, vaccines accepted will include those FDA approved or authorized, as well as vaccines with an emergency use listing (EUL) from the World Health Organization (WHO). See the CDC's website for more details.
- Fully vaccinated air travelers will continue to be required to show documentation of a pre-departure negative viral test from a sample taken within three days of travel to the United States before boarding. That includes all travelers – U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (LPRs), and foreign nationals.
- To further strengthen protections, unvaccinated travelers – whether U.S. citizens, LPRs, or the small number of excepted unvaccinated foreign nationals – will now need to show documentation of a negative viral test from a sample taken within one day of travel to the United States.
|
|
|
|
This video is filled with detailed tips your spooky crew should follow to reach this year's ghoulish goals of keeping everyone healthy and safe against COVID-19. Remember to mask up and carry hand sanitizer with you while celebrating.
Facebook
Twitter
|
|
|
Cumulative from January 2020 to present.
|
|
|
ESSENTIAL LINKS AND PHONE NUMBERS FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION
|
|
|
|
|
