Welcome to Skagit County

October 20, 2021

SKAGIT COUNTY COVID-19 UPDATE: October 20, 2021  

Local COVID-19 Case, Hospital & Vaccination Data
Skagit has a total of 10,532 cases; an increase of 418 new cases since last Wednesday; Hospitalizations are at 600 total (increased by 19 since Wednesday), and 108 deaths (increased by 5).

Skagit currently has a case rate of 584.9 per 100k over the last 14 days and a hospitalization rate of 13.8 COVID patients per 100k over the last seven days. Rates still look to be declining based on data on the WA Department of Health Data Dashboard. Similar trends are also being seen across the state.

A total of 176,825 doses have been administered in Skagit County. We are now at 73.5% partially vaccinated amongst our population 12 years and older, and 67.5% fully vaccinated amongst Skagitonians 12 and older.

Vaccine Booster Updates
Last week, the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) voted unanimously in favor of recommending booster doses of Moderna vaccine and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine for a large swath of the population. The FDA is scheduled to make an official determination today.

At this time, it appears booster will be recommended for people over 65, people between the ages of 18 and 64 who are at high risk of well as people who are at risk of serious COVID because of their jobs. J&J boosters would be recommended to everyone 18 and over who has already received J&J’s first shot at least two months after the initial dose.

The CDC will review the FDA’s decision on Thursday. The CDC panel is also expected to vote Thursday on mixing vaccine booster shots. If approved, that would mean, for example, that a person who was vaccinated with J&J could get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine as a booster.

Please know that there are a few more steps before Moderna and J&J boosters will be available here in Washington State! The CDC, Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, and the WA Department of Health still need to weigh in.

Statewide Vaccine Verification for Large Events
Last week, Governor Inslee announced that, beginning on November 15, individuals 12 years and older who attend certain large events will be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. All unvaccinated attendees will be required to show proof of a negative test result, conducted within 72 hours before the event.

This new statewide Vaccination Verification Program will apply to large indoor events of 1,000 or more attendees, and large outdoor events of 10,000 or more attendees. It will not apply to settings without defined entrances, such as shopping malls. Also exempt from the new requirement are museums, religious institutions, and K-12 school events held on school property.

If you’ve misplaced your Vaccination Card, there are a few options available to you:

• Come to the Public Health office (700 S 2nd Street, #301, Mount Vernon, WA) Monday-Friday between 8:30am-4:30pm to get a replacement card. Please bring identification with you. Please call in advance if you have questions: (360) 416-1500.

• Visit https://myirmobile.com/ to download and print your vaccination records.

• Call the WA State Vaccine Helpline for assistance at 1-833-829-4357.

Skagit Fairgrounds - Testing Information
Free antigen testing at the Skagit Fairgrounds is now limited to individuals who live, work, or go to school in Skagit County. Those coming for testing must be 5 years or older and must (a) be currently symptomatic or (b) have had recent exposure to COVID-19. Please expect long wait times.

NOTE: The Skagit Fairgrounds is not a good testing option for those seeking proof of vaccination to attend an event or for travel.

For a list of other testing providers in Skagit County, go to: www.skagitcounty.net/coronavirus.

Skagit Fairgrounds - Vaccination Information
The Skagit County Fairgrounds Testing and Vaccination Site is now operating from 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. The site will no longer operate on Wednesdays. Please come to the south gate entrance at 501 Taylor Street in Mount Vernon.

Vaccination services continue to be offered to all people 12 years and older. People can access a first or second dose of Pfizer or Moderna, or a single-dose of Johnson & Johnson, when supplies are available. Third doses of Pfizer and Moderna are also available to certain immunocompromised individuals. Please speak with your healthcare provider about whether an additional dose is appropriate for you.

Pfizer booster doses are available—by appointment only—for eligible individuals who received Pfizer for their first and second dose. If you received your second dose of Pfizer in March 2021 or earlier, you may now be eligible for a booster dose if you meet the criteria below. Those eligible for a Pfizer booster dose include:

• People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings.

• People aged 18–64 years with underlying medical conditions.

• People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting.

To make an appointment for a Pfizer Booster, go to: https://prepmod.doh.wa.gov/"

Search for "Skagit County Public Health" under Name of Location. If there are no appointments, check back on the following Monday for newly added spots, or call the COVID Info Hotline at 1-800-525-0127 (press #).