April 21, 2021
April 21, 2021: COVID-19 Updates from Skagit County
Vaccine Availability at the Fairgrounds
Skagit County Public Health provides weekly vaccine appointment updates on Fridays at 12:00 p.m. on the website: www.skagitcounty.net/COVIDvaccine. New appointments may be added throughout the week depending on availability.
People can also schedule an appointment by calling our Vaccine Hotline at (360) 416-1500. The Hotline is available Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. English and Spanish-language call-takers are available to assist you!
Play Zone at the Fairgrounds Vaccination Site
Child supervision is now available at the Skagit County Fairgrounds Vaccine Clinic for parents/guardians of young children. Children will be watched by trained staff in a safe and fun space while you receive your COVID-19 vaccination. Supervision will be provided at no cost to families by the Children's Museum of Skagit County. All children are required to be health-screened at check-in. Masks are recommended for children ages 2-4 and required for children 5+.
For information about the Play Zone or to make a vaccine appointment, call Public Health: (360) 416-1500.
At-Home Rapid COVID-19 Tests
A new at-home rapid COVID-19 antigen test is now on its way to pharmacies nationwide. The Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test has received FDA Emergency Use Authorization for self-testing without the need to ship samples to a lab or for a prescription from your healthcare provider. Check your local Walmart, Walgreens and CVS pharmacies for availability.
COVID-19 Case Counts rising in Skagit
Skagit County is currently in Phase 3 of the Roadmap to Recovery reopening plan. Skagit’s new case rate is 157.9 per 100,000 according to the WA Department of Health Phase and Risk Assessment Dashboard. While this case rate is still below the required metric of less than 200 new cases per 100,000 over 14 days, the case rate continues to rise steadily.
As a reminder, Skagit County must meet at least one of the state’s county-based metric thresholds to remain in Phase 3. Counties that no longer meet both metrics will move back one phase. For Skagit County, these metrics include:
- <200 new cases per 100,000 population per 14 days; and
- <5 new COVID-19 hospitalizations per 100,000 population per 7 days.
Data is analyzed every three weeks. The next review is scheduled for Monday, May 3.
Taking precautions—even when fully vaccinated!
To continue making progress—both in lowering case numbers and in our phased re-opening—it is imperative that we all continue to use precaution. Wear your mask, limit gatherings, keep your distance, and wash your hands. This goes not only for those who have not yet received their vaccine, but for all Skagitonians!
While the CDC has put forth new guidance for fully vaccinated individuals which have laxed some restrictions on gathering and travel, it remains more important than ever for vaccinated people to wear their masks in public spaces and use caution when gathering with others.
By wearing your mask, you are indicating to others that you are continuing to do everything that you can to end this pandemic. Wearing a mask in public spaces can help to contribute to a culture of mask wearing and is the decent thing to do when many people are still not vaccinated.
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