Skagit County still tops state’s COVID-19 case rate

Skagit County’s new coronavirus infection rate of 611.7 per 100,000 residents in the 14 day period ending Nov. 14 is by far the highest in the state. It remains the only county with a two week infection rate of over 600 per 100,000 residents, far outpacing the next four highest counties with rates of 503.4 (Lewis County) to 551.1 (Chelan County).

Whatcom County recorded 361.4 new cases per 100,000 residents in the same 14 day period and Snohomish County has climbed to 301 new infections by the same metric. Skagit County’s 7-day hospitalization rate has dropped to 13.8 from 16.1 new COVID-19 patients per 100,000 residents, a small reduction.

The total number of new cases in the county has fallen the last two weeks, with 422 new infections the week ending Nov. 12 and 426 cases the week ending Nov. 5. There are not weekend case counts. That is an 8% drop from the 459 cases in each of the last two weeks of October.

Skagit Public Health posed the question, “Why are our numbers so high?” on its website Nov. 10. Its list:

1. “Skagit County’s population is different!” It is more rural and agricultural neighboring counties, with fewer residents working from home, “meaning that folks are out in the community more. We also have many large households … which allows for more household transmissions.

2. “Our vaccination rates are still behind our neighbors—especially King county. Populations with a higher percentage of fully vaccinated residents will see lower case rates. Until we have a higher vaccination percentage, COVID-19 will continue to spread.

3. “Many of our residents are still not taking proper precautions. Masking and limiting gatherings can help to keep disease transmission lower. We are currently seeing the results of Halloween weekend, with a greater number of new cases over the past week or so.”

The website post championed the county’s fairground testing and vaccine site, a significant low-barrier testing option. The high positivity testing rate, averaging 11%, is evidence that residents are getting tested when not feeling well or if they believe they have been exposed to the virus, the release states..

Cases in the La Conner zip code, 98257, reached at least 300 Monday when the Skagit Public Health Department reported between 300-309 cases since data collection began in 2020. Fire District 13 Chief Weiss reported that 47 new cases had been recorded in the Swinomish area between Oct. 14 and Nov. 8. The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community’s medical clinic lists 344 cases of tribal members, living on or off the reservation, since the start of the pandemic

Skagit Public Health is providing pediatric and booster vaccinations at the fairgrounds. Appointments are needed.

The Pfizer COVID-19 pediatric vaccine is available for children 5-11 years old. Those eligible for boosters can get the Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Children 12 years and older do not need an appointment for their first or second shot.

Appointments are limited and made Mondays at https://vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov/ or call 833-VAX-HELP (833-829-4357), then press #.