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On November 26, 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified a new variant, B.1.1.529, as a Variant of Concern and has named it Omicron. No cases of this variant have been identified in the United States to date.
Dr. Chris Spitters, Snohomish Health District Health Officer, stated “The emergence of yet another variant of concern is a somber reminder that elimination of COVID is an unlikely scenario. However, the emergence of omicron should come as no surprise. This is what viruses do: mutants arise and fit mutants displace their predecessors. We have already seen this time and again with COVID.”
It is not clear yet what the impact of this strain’s mutations are on the capacity of the virus to transmit more efficiently, to impact vaccine effectiveness and evade immune response, and/or to cause more severe or milder disease. Further investigation is underway in that regard.
Dr. Spitters concluded, “we know what it takes to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and we must continue to keep our guard up with masking, physical distancing, increased ventilation, and other prevention measures. Everyone 5 years and older should protect themselves from COVID-19, and variants like omicron, by getting fully vaccinated. The CDC also encourages a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose for those who are eligible."
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CDC is strengthening its recommendation on COVID-19 vaccine booster doses. Everyone ages 18 and older should get a booster shot either when they are 6 months after their initial Pfizer or Moderna series or 2 months after their initial Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.
The emergence of the Omicron variant further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters, and other prevention efforts needed to protect against COVID-19. While there is much to learn about the Omicron variant, we do know that COVID-19 vaccines are our best tool to avoid serious illness & hospitalization.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/3mrK4Z5.
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Vaccine rates are going up and case rates are going down. Keep up the great work Snohomish County! #MaskUpSnoCo #VaxUpSnoCo
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The CDC has alerted health care providers and Health Districts across the country that flu activity, while low overall nationally, has been increasing over the recent weeks. Flu activity seems to be increasing in young adults, with a number of outbreaks in colleges and universities in several states.
Now is the time to get your annual flu vaccination. You may visit your local doctor’s office, pharmacy or clinic event in your area. See www.vaccinefinder.org or call the Help Me Grow Washington hotline at 1-800-322-2588 (language assistance available) to find a flu vaccine location near you.
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On November 8, the Department of Homeland Security placed new requirements on travelers entering the United States. These requirements called for all non-U.S. persons traveling to the U.S. for non-essential reasons (e.g. tourism) to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and present proof of vaccination status upon entry. Those engaged in essential travel are not required to be vaccinated.
This latter regulation was further updated on November 23, 2021. Effective January 2022, all inbound non-U.S. persons crossing U.S. land points of entry or ferry terminals, whether for essential or non-essential reasons, must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination.
Read the fact sheet here.
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The holiday season is a treasured time for family and friends. Because of vaccines, “near normal” holidays with traditional in-person gatherings, are possible. You can celebrate the holidays safely for you, your loved ones and your community.
Read more.
Esta temporada de fiestas es un tiempo para compartir con la familia y los amigos, Y este año, las fiestas podrán ser más seguras. Gracias a que muchas personas, incluyendo a los niños, se han vacunado, nuestras celebraciones serán “casi normales”, permitiéndonos reunirnos en persona como acostumbramos.
Lea estas recomendaciones para recibir más consejos y así mantener a su familia saludable y segura en esta temporada.
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U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced the following updated guidance for COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program applicants to better serve small business owners in need, while funding remains available:
- EIDL loan and Targeted Advance applications will be accepted until December 31 and will continue to be processed after this date until funds are exhausted.
- Supplemental Targeted Advance applications will be accepted until December 31. The SBA cannot continue to process Supplemental Targeted Advance applications after December 31 and strongly encourages eligible small businesses to apply by December 10 to ensure adequate processing time.
- Borrowers can request increases up to their maximum eligible loan amount for up to two years after their loan origination date, or until the funds are exhausted, whichever is soonest.
- The SBA will accept and review reconsideration and appeal requests for COVID EIDL applications received on or before December 31 if the reconsideration/appeal is received within the timeframes in the regulation. This means six months from the date of decline for reconsiderations and 30 days from the date of reconsideration decline for appeals – unless funding is no longer available.
The COVID EIDL and EIDL Advance programs still have billions of dollars available to help small businesses hard hit by the pandemic. More than 3.8 million businesses employing more than 20 million people have found financial relief through SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans.
Read More
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Over the past several months, we learned to embrace QR codes again, but in new ways. From scanning restaurant menus to online shopping, QR code usage resurfaced as a safe way to exchange information without germs.
Now, you can even use a QR code to verify your COVID-19 vaccination status! It’s part of a brand-new tool called WA Verify. It uses a SMART Health Card QR code that allows you to confirm your vaccination, wherever you are.
WA Verify is the newest (but not only) way to show that you are fully vaccinated. With many other options out there, it can be confusing to know which is right for you and your family. So, we put together a quick guide to help you understand before you make plans.
Read more.
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Hay una nueva forma de mostrar la tuya
¡Ahora, usted incluso puede usar un código QR para verificar su estado de vacunación contra el COVID-19! Es parte de una nueva herramienta llamada WA Verify (solo en inglés). Utiliza un código QR de SMART Health Card (solo en inglés) que le permite confirmar su vacunación, en el lugar donde usted se encuentre.
Leer más.
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Cumulative from January 2020 to present.
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ESSENTIAL LINKS AND PHONE NUMBERS FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION
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