Issue 10 Winter 2022

COVID Corner

COVID-19 case rates have skyrocketed the past several weeks. This means that neither Snohomish Health District contact tracers nor state Department of Health staff can call every positive case as we were previously doing. If you test positive for COVID-19, or if you have symptoms but are unable to be tested, please follow the current CDC guidance, which has been adopted by DOH and SHD. As always, check with your medical provider if you have any questions about your illness, or call 911 if you need immediate assistance. SHD cannot provide medical advice regarding COVID-19 illness. Please notify your personal close contacts and share the CDC quarantine information with them. A close contact is defined as anyone who has been within six feet or less from a case for a duration of 15 minutes or more. Cases are considered contagious starting two days before they show symptoms. If a case has no symptoms, they are considered contagious two days before their positive test (date they got tested, not the date they got their results). Guidance for schools has changed recently, and could potentially change again, so please check with your school COVID-19 team and follow whatever quarantine and isolation guidance they give. The COVID-19 case investigations team greatly appreciates the work you are doing and the steps you are taking to protect the community. Thank you for everything you do.

Updated Booster Graphic

COVID-19 Vaccine Update

On December 15, 2020, front line healthcare workers received the first COVID-19 vaccines administered in Washington State. As manufacturers submitted trial data and increased production, recommendations changed to expand eligibility. As of early November 2021, COVID-19 vaccines are available for children and adults, ages 5 and older, in the United States. These resources can help answer questions parents and guardians may have about vaccinations:

Recommendations for additional doses and booster doses have expanded, too.
Individuals, ages 5 years and older, with moderately to severely weakened immune systems may not mount the desired immune response after a 2 dose mRNA vaccine series. They should receive a 3^rd/additional dose of mRNA vaccine 28 or more days after the 2^nd vaccine dose. This dose is considered part of the primary series and not a booster.

While COVID-19 vaccines remain an effective tool, protection from the primary series wanes over time, especially as new variants circulate. Boosters are now recommended for anyone 12 years and older following the primary series to fortify vaccine protection. Please refer to the above graphic for detailed booster dose information. Early 2022 data from the Washington State Immunization Information System (WAIIS) confirm that 70% of Snohomish County residents are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Among 5-11 year olds, the newest group to be eligible, 20.6% have completed the “kid-sized” COVID-19 vaccine series.

Healthcare organizations and community partners across the county are working to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines are available and accessible for eligible residents. Use these links and phone number to find vaccines and schedule appointments:
How to Get Your Shot | Snohomish Health District, WA (snohd.org)
Vaccinate WA: Find COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments Near You
COVID-19 Information Hotline 833-VAX-HELP Language Assistance is Available

School Narcan Training

Snohomish Health District is offering an online training aimed at educating school nurses and staff to respond to opioid overdoses using Narcan. To access this training, go to https://healthycommunities-snohd.talentlms.com/ and make an account. The course is called Opioid Overdose Reversal – Narcan Training. It takes less than one hour, and upon completion, each user can download a certificate.

If your school needs to obtain Narcan doses, or your district has yet to draft an official overdose reversal policy, the manufactures of Narcan, Emergent BioSolutions, provide resources on their website. They have an online toolkit to assist with drafting policies and have a program that allows each high school to order a free kit of Narcan (2 doses). Visit: https://www.narcan.com/community/education-awareness-and-training-resources/
Please email Brenna Smith at BSmith@snohd.org if you have any questions regarding the school Narcan training or obtaining free Narcan kits from Emergent BioSolutions.

Attention Youth-Serving Groups!

We are now recruiting teens to become Peer Educators in Snohomish County!

What is Peer 2 Peer?
Peer 2 Peer is a youth marijuana prevention program created to train high school students to become peer educators. After taking part in free (and fun!) trainings, peer educators are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and tools to teach younger peers about health, coping with stress, the effects of marijuana, social norms, and more.

When and where is the training?
The training is held online with groups around the region on January 21^st from 8:30-2:30.
Hear from Peer Educators!
Watch this short promo video to learn more from Peer Educators themselves! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4TZNLHX7hE&feature=youtu.be
For questions or to learn more:
Email Alicia.Guildner@unitedgeneral.org and Danika.Troupe@unitedgeneral.org

Join the North Sound Region Youth Marijuana Prevention Network

The North Sound Region Youth Marijuana Prevention Program focuses on strategies to reduce youth marijuana use, with a broader focus on supporting healthy communities for youth and families in the North Sound Region (Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, Island, and Snohomish Counties). Our Regional Network is geared toward partners in prevention across the region including: prevention coalitions, school partners, community agencies, health departments, and more! By joining the regional network you’ll be added to our email list to receive updates about upcoming trainings, hot topics in prevention, and opportunities for youth, school, coalition, and community partner involvement, as well as receive invites for our bi-monthly regional network meetings.

This inclusive learning space focuses to prevent and reduce youth marijuana use. Join us in promoting a healthy and safe community for our youth and families. To join the Regional Network or for more information contact Alyssa Pavitt, Regional Coordinator at apavitt@co.whatcom.wa.us . For information on Snohomish Health District’s involvement and current efforts in Youth Marijuana Prevention contact Brittany Grant at bgrant@snohd.org .

Request Flyers

Help-seeking flyers are available to download and print at your location by contacting Wendy at wburchill@snohd.org. Multiple languages are available!