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At least 12 Washington counties have COVID-19 community levels rated “high,” meaning they have had 200 or more new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people in the last seven days based on Washington state Department of Health data. The statewide rate, through June 30, is 241 new cases per100,000 people in the last seven days. King County, at 327 new coronavirus cases per 100,000 population for the seven day period, leads the state. Skagit County is 9th at 219.24 cases per 100,000.
The federal Centers for Disease Control data is slightly different for Skagit County, still reporting high community transmission for the same June 30 time period but measuring the 7-day case rate at 195.8 per 100,000 people. It found that a 17.3% drop in cases since June 23, meaning the case rate per 100,000 people was near 230 the week of June 17-23.
The total new infections in June in Skagit County were 1,060, based on state Department of Health Data, with 75% confirmed with a positive molecular test for COVID-19. The 307 probable cases are individuals reporting a positive antigen test.
Skagit County’s June cases are a 145% increase from May’s 730 cases and a 255% increase from April’s 415 total cases.
The county started the year with 6,129 total January cases, dropping to 1,217 total cases in February.
Total new cases declined by 23% June 22-28 from June 15-21.
Skagit Public Health’s update for the five days ending June 30, reported 173 new cases per 100,000 people.
Swinomish Public Health confirmed 19 new cases of COVID-19 in its community through June 20.
The CDC reports county hospitalizations increased in the 7-day period ending June 29, with an estimated 11 confirmed new hospital admissions, a 21% increase from June 15-22. The confirmed COVID-19 new hospital admissions is 8.4 per 100,000 population. The state health department counted 53 people admitted to Skagit County hospitals with coronavirus infections in June.
The CDC recommends wearing masks indoors in public and on public transportation in counties with high transmission spread. However, the CDC measures at “medium” Skagit County’s COVID-19 Community Level for determining “the impact of COVID-19 on communities and take action.” The CDC provides Community Transmission levels “for healthcare facility use only,” their website states.
“High” is the top of four levels of the CDC scale.
Skagit County public health officials have been promoting wearing masks indoors since late May.
With home testing, not all new cases are confirmed by the health department. Not all people report being infected.
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 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Make an appointment at skagitcounty.net/COVIDvaccine or call (360) 416-1500. Walking-in is an option.
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