February 2, 2022
COVID-19 Updates from Skagit County
Local COVID-19 Case, Hospital & Vaccine Data
Skagit has a total of 20,355 cases, which increased by 1,238 since last Wednesday. Skagit reports 971 total hospitalizations, which increased by 35 this week, and 167 deaths, which increased by 3.
Our current case rate is 2611.7 per 100k over the last 14 days, and our hospitalization rate is now 28.4 per 100k over the last seven days.
Based on the state's 7-day projection, it appears that our cases may be leveling off or declining, though it is still too early to tell. Our hospitalization rates continue to remain high.
In vaccine news: the state Data Dashboard is now incorporating data for those 5 years and older. 234,288 vaccine doses have been administered in Skagit County to date. Skagit County has finally surpassed 70% partially vaccinated for our entire population, and we are just below 75% partially vaccinated amongst Skagitonians 5+. Nearly 42,000 individuals in Skagit have received an additional dose of vaccine (meaning a 3rd dose or booster dose).
For more data like this, go to: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/COVID19/DataDashboard|
Vaccine Updates
There have been several recent updates for COVID-19 vaccines…
On Monday, January 31, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) fully approved the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for prime doses. Moderna will continue to be available for third doses and booster doses for people 18 years and older under the current emergency use authorization (EUA). Click here for the full press release.
Novavax announced Monday that it has formally submitted a request for the US Food and Drug Administration to authorize its coronavirus vaccine—the first protein-based COVID-19 vaccine—for emergency use in the United States. Novavax's vaccine would be administered as two doses, three weeks apart, and is made by using small, laboratory-built pieces of the coronavirus to stimulate immunity. More information to come on this soon.
Lastly, yesterday Pfizer-BioNTech filed a submission for emergency use to the FDA for a vaccine regimen designed for use in children aged six months to five years. Based on the projected timeline, vaccines may be available for children six months to 5 years sometime this month. We will keep you updated as we learn more.
Vaccine at the Public Health Office
COVID-19 prime, pediatric, and booster vaccinations are now available at the Public Health office in downtown Mount Vernon at 700 S 2nd Street. To make an appointment, go to www.skagitcounty.net/COVIDvaccine or call the Public Health at (360) 416-1500. Walk-ins are also available, though appointments are preferred.
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.
Antigen Testing at the Fairgrounds
Antigen testing is available at the Skagit Fairgrounds every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm (or until supplies run out). Testing is provided for free and is available to anyone 5 years and older who lives, works, or goes to school in Skagit County. Individuals must be symptomatic or have had recent exposure to COVID-19 to qualify for service at the site.
For testing, please come to the South Gate entrance at 501 Taylor Street in Mount Vernon. The gates open at 11:30 am, with services starting at noon. Please expect long wait times. Please do not block public or private driveways and be mindful of pedestrians.
If you are able, please print and fill out the testing registration form in advance. This is a helpful way to streamline the testing process. The registration form can be found on our website by going to https://www.skagitcounty.net/Departments/HealthDiseases/coronavirusTESTsites.htm.
For a full list of other testing providers in the region, go to https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/COVID19/TestingforCOVID19/TestingLocations.
At-home COVID-19 Testing
If you have not yet ordered through the federal program, please go to www.covidtests.gov to place your order for 4 free at-home tests. Limited to one order per household.
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 or the Skagit County Public Health office at (360) 416-1500.
If you cannot get access to testing, please refer to the CDC's Isolation and Quarantine Guidance found here: https://bit.ly/3JQLIwF
IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS but do not need medical care and can't get a test, you might have COVID-19 and you should isolate for at least 5 days to keep from spreading the virus to others. Monitor your symptoms.
IF YOU WERE EXPOSED to someone with COVID-19 and need to quarantine and are unable to get a test 5 days after your last close contact, you can leave your home after day 5 if you have not had symptoms; wear a mask for 10 days after last contact. |
