January 5, 2022
COVID-19 Updates from Skagit County
Local COVID-19 Case, Hospital & Vaccine Data
Skagit has reported a total of 14,522 COVID-19 cases, which increased by 702 since our update last Wednesday. Between 12/22 and 12/29, we reported 358 new cases. This means that we’ve seen 344 more new cases this week than last.
Skagit is currently reporting a total of 828 hospitalizations (increased by 27 since Wednesday), and 153 deaths (increased by 3).
Skagit’s case rate is 461.5 per 100k over the last 14 days and our hospitalization rate is 10.7 per 100k over the last seven days. The state Data Dashboard is showing a steep increase in cases over the coming days.
The most vulnerable population continues to be those who are unvaccinated, though breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated are also likely to occur with the new Omicron variant. Getting vaccinated remains the most effective way to prevent against severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. For data regarding vaccinated vs. unvaccinated hospitalization rates, go to the state’s report here: https://bit.ly/2XO8RNh.
A total of 223,000 doses have been administered in Skagit County. We are now at 78.1% partially vaccinated amongst our population 12 years and older, and 71.9% fully vaccinated amongst Skagitonians 12 and older.
Data Dashboard
As of Monday, Skagit County Public Health is no longer updating ongoing COVID-19 case, hospitalization, death, and demographic data on its website. Instead, Skagitonians are asked to refer to the statewide COVID-19 Data Dashboard for all COVID-19 related data. This is the best place to go for all state and county-level case, hospitalization, and death data, as well as vaccination data.
If you need assistance navigating the Data Dashboard, please call the state COVID-19 hotline at 1-800-525-0127 or text the word “Coronavirus” to 211211 to receive information and updates on your phone. You can also contact Public Health at danicas@co.skagit.wa.us.
Booster Updates
On Monday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to:
- Expand the use of a single booster dose to include use in individuals 12 through 15 years of age.
- Shorten the time between the completion of primary vaccination of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and a booster dose to at least five months.
- Allow for a third primary series dose for certain immunocompromised children 5 through 11 years of age.
Please note that the CDC and Western States Scientific Review Workgroup must still weigh in on the changes. More information is expected in the next day or so.
Fairgrounds to Reopen on January 6th
The Fairgrounds will reopen tomorrow, Thursday, January 6th from 3pm-7pm. Please note that only testing services will be provided on January 6th and 7th. Come to the south gate entrance at 501 Taylor Street in Mount Vernon. Testing continues to be offered only to those who live, work, or go to school in Skagit County and who are currently symptomatic or have been recently exposed to COVID-19. Please be expecting longer than usual wait times this week and next due to extremely high demand for testing services.
The Fairgrounds will recommence full services—both testing and vaccination—beginning Monday, January 10th. Our hours will be changing to 3pm-6pm beginning on this date.
Vaccine at the Public Health Office
Vaccinations continue to be provided at our downtown Public Health office at 700 S 2nd Street in Mount Vernon by appointment only. If coming for an appointment, please enter through the 1st floor elevator lobby. For information or to make a booster appointment, please go to: www.skagitcounty.net/COVIDvaccine.
Available appointments include:
For a full list of vaccination providers available in Skagit County, go to Vaccine Locator or call the Hotline at 1-800-525-0127.
At-home COVID-19 Testing Options
Public Health has run out of at-home testing kits at this time. Please consider for-purchase at-home testing options, available at locations such as Walgreens, Rite Aid, Bartell Drugs, CVS, Walmart, Safeway, and Albertsons.
If testing at home and you receive a positive test result, please call the state’s COVID-19 Hotline as soon as possible at 1–800–525–0127.
For a full list of testing providers in Skagit County, go to our website here.
Masking
The CDC continues to recommend wearing a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high community transmission, regardless of vaccination status. Here in Washington, the statewide mask mandate requires that all people five years of age and older must wear a mask in public indoor settings and at large, outdoor events with 500 or more attendees, including sporting events, fairs, parades, and concerts, regardless of vaccination status.
For current masking recommendations, please check out one of our recent blog posts here: https://bit.ly/3oXZLYZ |
