La Conner Weekly News - Your independent hometown award-winning newspaper

Over 3,000 Skagit County residents tested positive for the novel coronavirus in 2020, with over one third, 1,021 COVID-19 cases in December. With the 658 reported November infections, over half, 56% of Skagit County’s COVID-19 cases, have been reported in the last two months.

Last month 13 people died from COVID-19, one-third of the 40 deaths reported by Skagit Public Health. Fifty-three people were hospitalized in December, 27% of the 194 infection-causing hospitalizations last year, according to Public Health..

“The epidemiological and death data on this scale is basically unprecedented,” wrote Polly Dubbel, Skagit Public Health communicable disease and environmental health manager in an email to the Weekly News.

Dubbel reports transmission in every demographic. Public Health’s message continue to be “stay home as much as possible, wear masks, keep socially distant and practice good hand hygiene in order to keep safe.”

December’s weekly average of cases is 244. Dubbel did not address specific clusters in her Dec. 21 email. She did note the nature of clusters varies greatly.

Washington Department of Health metrics show 330.5 new cases per 100,000 County residents the last 14 days, through Jan. 3 and an 11.4% positive tests for COVID-19 during the past week.

The high rate of community transmission restrict in-school classes in any school district. Washington Department of Health metrics for high activity counties supports only in person school to pre-K through grade 5 and those with highest needs. High activity is defined by over a 10% positivity rate and more than 350 cases weekly per 100,000 residents.

The sky-rocketing cases and prevalent community transmission led the County Board of Health to propose an ordinance having public health and law enforcement officers imposing civil fines. The County has statutory authority issue fines as a public health measure. The ordinance will require wearing masks indoors or outdoors in public places. Businesses and organizations will have to keep people not wearing masks out

The Board of Health is holding a public hearing 10:30 am. Jan. 20 ahead of a decision to adopt this ordinance.

In the 98257 La Conner zip code, 57 cases are known, the newest reported Dec. 28.