February 16, 2022
COVID-19 Updates from Skagit County
Local COVID-19 Case, Hospital & Vaccine Data
To help folks better understand our local data and to highlight key indicators that best represent our current risk status, we are changing the way that we provide our data updates each week. Below are our key indicators to track Skagit County’s current level of risk:
If you are actively monitoring our data using the state’s Data Dashboard, you might be wondering why the data we’re putting out doesn’t seem to be matching up with what you’re seeing on your screen. For background information and some answers to questions you might have, visit our Q&A page: https://skagitcounty.blog/2022/02/16/changes-to-our-weekly-covid-19-updates-and-what-you-should-expect/
Vaccine Updates: 6 months – 4 years
On Friday, the FDA announced that it would be postponing the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee meeting originally scheduled for Feb. 15 to discuss COVID-19 vaccines for children 6 months to 4 years of age. This delay will allow more time for the Committee to evaluate additional data submitted by Pfizer. For more information, click here.
Vaccine at the Public Health Office
COVID-19 prime, pediatric, and booster vaccinations are 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 (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 Fairgrounds on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 12pm to 4pm. The site will be closed on Monday, February 21st in observance of President's Day, and will be open instead on Wednesday, February 23rd from 12pm to 4pm.
Testing is free and 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.
NOTE: Demand for testing has leveled off recently and folks should no longer expect long wait times at the Fairgrounds. Typical wait times range from 15-45 minutes depending on what time you arrive.
For information about our site or for a full list of testing providers in Skagit County: https://www.skagitcounty.net/Departments/HealthDiseases/coronavirusTESTsites.htm
At-home COVID-19 Testing
Free at-home test kits can now be ordered online through the following sites:
Please note that only one order can be placed per household for both the state and federal programs.
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 have tested positive for COVID-19, are symptomatic, or have been recently exposed, please refer to the CDC's Isolation and Quarantine Guidance found here: https://bit.ly/3JQLIwF.
Statewide Mask Mandate
Last week, the Governor announced that the statewide outdoor mask mandate for large events will be lifted on Friday, February 18th. The Governor will host a press conference tomorrow (2/17/22) during which he will discuss a potential end date for the statewide indoor mask mandate. The time for this press conference has not yet been announced. All press conferences can be watched live by going to https://tvw.org/.
The current indoor mask mandate requires that all people 5 years and older, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask when in an any indoor public places in Washington State, including restaurants, grocery stores, malls, and public-facing offices.
|
