Skagit COVID-19 cases continue to decline

Skagit County entered 2023 with COVID-19 cases on the decline. The seven day case rate per 100,000 residents fell to 50 for the week ending Dec. 31, 2022. The county case rate climbed some, to 60.6 per 100,000 residents through Jan. 4, just above the statewide rate of 58 cases per 100,000 people, according to state Department of Health data.

December totaled 407 confirmed cases, with new cases decreasing weekly, from 116 Dec. 1-7 to 70 Dec. 22-28, based on Washington state Department of Health data. New reported coronavirus cases in Skagit County declined 31% in December from November's 591 total confirmed cases.

Coronavirus related hospitalizations have held steady, at 32 in November and December each. At year’s end, the 7-day hospitalization rate per 100,000 residents was 3.8% in Skagit County. Statewide that rate is 9% through Jan. 4.

While 74.8% of county residents have had at least one vaccination, only 28.7% are fully boosted. Countywide, 68.3% have received the primary vaccination series. Statewide, 70% of the population has completed the primary vaccination series.

There were six November deaths and five confirmed December deaths from COVID-19 in the county. In 2022 92 people died from COVID-19 related causes in Skagit County. There have been 252 county deaths since March 2020, when tracking began. Statewide, 15,170 people have died from the coronavirus since 2020.

Nationally, 1.1 million people have died from coronavirus related causes since 2020. In 2022, deaths totaled 240,389, just over half of the 463,202 killed by COVID-19 in 2021, based on U.S. Centers for Disease Control data

The health department recommends that everyone six months and older needs to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and flu. Those eligible for an updated COVID-19 booster can go to Skagit County Public Health for a no-cost, no insurance required COVID-19 vaccine.

Skagit County Public Health's COVID-19 testing site at the Cascade Mall closed permanently Dec. 31, 2022. County staff noted demand for COVID-19 tests has dwindled, requiring changes. Resources may be put toward “focused outreach and education to effectively reach homebound seniors, non-English speaking communities, and more rural areas like East County,” a news release stated.

Get four free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests from the U.S. government, delivered by the U.S. Postal Service: covid.gov/tests.

Order five test kits monthly from the state of Washington at sayyeshometest.org.

Schedule COVID-19 updated booster appointmentsvatprepmod.doh.wa.gov/appointment/en/clinic/search; 360-416-1500.

COVID-19 prime, pediatric and booster vaccinations are available at the downtown Mount Vernon Skagit Public Health office, 700 South Second Street. The clinic is open Wednesdays-Fridays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-4 p.m.

Make appointments at prepmod.doh.wa.gov/ by searching for "Skagit County Public Health" under Name of Location.

Walking-in is an option.

Find a flu vaccine provider at vaccines.gov.