FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
October 29, 2021

CONTACT:
Heather Thomas, 425.508.4980
communications@snohd.org

New Data Highlights Ages Being Most Impacted by COVID-19 in Recent Weeks

Report also demonstrates that vaccines continue to protect against severe complications

SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. – After seven weeks of decreasing cases, Snohomish County’s case rate increased. For the two-week period ending Oct. 23, the case rate rose from 331 to 351 per 100,000 residents. This was spurred by more than 1,600 new cases reported to the Snohomish Health District last week.

A preliminary analysis of the data from the last two weeks highlights school-age residents making up a larger proportion of newly reported cases (22 percent during October 10-23 vs 12 percent since the start of the pandemic). Fifty-seven percent of recent cases were among adults 20-49 years old.

The Health District has been asking for the community’s help in curbing cases in school, childcare, and youth sports settings since the numbers began increasing last month. The Washington State Department of Health’s newly released schools outbreak report shows more than 70 outbreaks in Snohomish County schools from Aug. 1 through Sept. 30. 

While the number of school outbreaks is high, which is to be expected in high transmission areas like ours, the number of cases per outbreak is relatively low. There was an average of six cases per outbreak during that timeframe.

“This is thanks to the strong, ongoing collaboration between the public and private K-12 schools in Snohomish County and our robust schools response team,” said Dr. Chris Spitters, Health Officer for the Snohomish Health District. “We have a relatively low threshold for declaring an outbreak to get to cases and identify close contacts sooner, and the schools are also quick to implement additional mitigation measures. This all works to help keep transmission from spreading.” 

The missing protective layer for many of these cases is vaccines. For August and September, up to 25 percent of the total cases were among those 0-19. 

Only 55 percent of children aged 12-17 years have completed vaccination and no children under 12 years of age have been vaccinated, meaning approximately 101,500 school-age children that have not been vaccinated. This includes roughly 74,000 children 5-11, about 18,000 who are 12-15, and around 9,500 that are 16-19.  

In its latest data report, the Snohomish Health District shares an updated look at cases by vaccination status. From February through September:

• 84 percent of all cases were unvaccinated
• 89 percent of all hospitalized cases were unvaccinated
• 93 percent of all deaths were unvaccinated

“Even with the Delta variant circulating throughout our region this summer and fall, the COVID vaccines are doing what they were intended to do—reduce severe complications, hospitalizations and death,” added Dr. Spitters. “The rate of hospitalization due to COVID among vaccinated people in Snohomish County is 70% lower than in unvaccinated people. We hope to be able to offer those same layers of protection for 5–11-year-olds very soon, as well as monitoring data to see what impacts the newly authorized boosters have on transmission and infection rates.”  

Implementation of vaccination among children aged 5-11 should reduce the number of cases and quarantines arising from exposures at school.   The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will consider making expanded recommendations for this age group with the Pfizer vaccine, following the extension authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Neither Moderna nor Johnson & Johnson have applied yet for a similar extension.

The overall vaccination rate for the county continues to climb, with more than 21,000 vaccines administered last week. Snohomish County now has 71 percent of all eligible residents fully vaccinated and 77 percent have received at least one dose. In addition to more people getting vaccinated each day, the rates are also increasing among all race and ethnicity groups in Snohomish County. 

COVID TESTING and vaccine clinic SCHEDULE 

The Everett testing site will be closed on Tuesday, Nov. 2. The testing schedule for next week is as follows:

• Everett site located at 3715 Oakes Avenue – Monday and Wednesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Ash Way Park & Ride site at 16327 Ash Way in Lynnwood – open Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Appointments for testing are available at www.snohd.org/testing. 

The Ash Way Park & Ride location is a dual site, splitting operations to be a vaccine site two days a week and testing only for three days. It will be offering vaccines only on Wednesday, Nov. 3 and Thursday, Nov. 4. The site will offer Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, as supplies allow. First, second, third, and booster doses will be available. Appointments are required and can be done online at www.snohd.org/drivethru. 

Those without internet access, needing language assistance, or requiring additional support in scheduling can reach the Health District’s call center at 425.339.5278 to schedule a testing or vaccine appointment. The call center is staffed 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Callers after hours or on weekends can leave a message, which will be returned on the next business day.

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