November 3, 2021
COVID-19 Updates from Skagit County
Local COVID-19 Case, Hospital & Vaccine Data
Skagit has a total of 11,492 cases; an increase of 470 new cases since last Wednesday; Hospitalizations are at 648 total (increased by 25 since Wednesday), and 111 deaths (increased by 1). Skagit currently has a case rate of 708.3 per 100k over the last 14 days and a hospitalization rate of 17.6 COVID patients per 100k over the last seven days.
Our county is once again seeing record case highs, higher than anything we’ve seen throughout the entirety of this pandemic. A record hospitalization high is also expected in the next day or so. The staggering number of new cases we’re seeing can mostly be attributed to people who are unvaccinated—approximately 90% of all cases are in unvaccinated individuals. The best way to get our numbers down is by increasing the number of Skagitonians getting vaccinated. Second to this would be masking up when in public, keeping distance, and washing hands frequently.
Skagit’s Vaccination Status
A total of 184,290 doses have been administered in Skagit County. We are now at 74.6% partially vaccinated amongst our population 12 years and older, and 68.7% fully vaccinated amongst Skagitonians 12 and older.
Unfortunately, we know that there are folks in our community who are still reluctant to get vaccinated. Though our entire county’s population is 59 percent fully vaccinated now, this means that there is still about 40 percent of our residents, including children 11 and younger who aren’t yet eligible, who do not have protection against the virus.
Getting vaccinated not only protects you individually, but it slows spread and protects other vulnerable individuals. Despite what folks might have heard, we know that kids are getting COVID. Between September 5 and October 23, approximately 25% of our cases have been in school-age children. For our children’s sake—we are pleading with people to get vaccinated today.
Update on Vaccine for Children 5-11
Yesterday, the CDC’s Director endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation that children 5 to 11 years old be vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine. This followed the FDA’s decision to back pediatric vaccines on October 29th.
Parents and caregivers can now schedule an appointment for their child at the Fairgrounds by going to our website: www.skagitcounty.net/COVIDvaccine. Appointments will be limited at first, so parents can also check Vaccine Locator to find other providers who have availability, including local health clinics and pharmacies.
Vaccine Boosters now Available
Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson boosters are available at the Fairgrounds—by appointment only—for eligible individuals. At least six months after completing the primary Pfizer or Moderna vaccine series, the following groups of people are eligible for a booster dose:
At least two months after receiving the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine (J&J), it is recommended that everyone 18 and older receive a booster dose.
As a reminder, the FDA and CDC have approved a “mix and match” approach to boosters. This means your booster shot does not have to be the same COVID-19 vaccine type your primary vaccination was. For example, someone who received the J&J vaccine can receive a booster dose of J&J, Pfizer, or Moderna. Likewise, someone who received two doses of an mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) can receive a Moderna, Pfizer, or J&J booster.
Appointments are limited at this time. Please check on Mondays for newly added appointments or call the Hotline for assistance: 1-833-VAX-HELP (833-829-4357), then press #.
To make an appointment for a booster, go to: https://prepmod.doh.wa.gov/. Search for "Skagit County Public Health" under Name of Location.
Holiday Operational Changes at the Fairgrounds
The Skagit County Fairgrounds Testing and Vaccine Site at 501 Taylor Street in Mount Vernon operates on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 3pm to 7pm. During the months of November and December, the site will be closed on the following dates:
- Thursday, November 11th (Veteran’s Day)
- Thursday, November 25th (Thanksgiving)
- Friday, November 26th (Thanksgiving)
- Friday, December 24th (Christmas Eve)
- Friday, December 31st (New Year's Day)
In lieu of these dates, the site will be open on the following days from 3pm to 7pm:
- Wednesday, November 10th
- Wednesday November 24th
- Wednesday, December 22nd
- Wednesday, December 29th
For more information about the site, go to: www.skagitcounty.net/coronavirus or call (360) 416-1500. |
