Nurse Jeanie Backus talks about COVID-19 vaccines at a Veterans Affairs long-term care center on December 17, 2020 in Vancouver, Washington. (Photo by Nathan Howard / Getty Images)
Whatcom County, located near the Canadian border, is the current COVID-19 access point of the state. The county has a higher transmission rate than anywhere else in Washington.
Virologist: The distribution of the COVID vaccine is greater than the supply
Erica Lautenbach, director of the Whatcom County Health Department, expects this month’s COVID-19 cases to triple that of December, which had been the worst month in the county. Since Dec. 30, cases have risen rapidly in the county and this week’s seven-day average is double that of last week.
“The rates we see are different from anything we’ve ever experienced in the past and unlike the rise we saw after the Thanksgiving holidays. And unlike everything we’re seeing anywhere else in the state, ”Lautenbach said.
While he told KIRO Radio that there are no known super-broadcast events or highly transmissible virus locations in the county, he said most of the cases that have been tracked were related to unsafe socialization.
“For those we know, who have a source, 80% of our cases come from social events and domestic activities,” he said.
Lautenbach says cases are rising in all age groups and Whatcom County is in “unknown and dangerous territory.” Ask everyone to cancel all non-essential activities and social plans.
The health department is concerned that the virus will spread even faster with employees returning to their jobs after the holidays. To limit the spread, the department has asked people to take additional and immediate precautions.
“The steps we need to take are already familiar and, if we all act immediately, we can stop this viral wave,” Lautenbach said in a statement.
These measures include wearing a mask around others who do not belong to the same household, avoiding meetings, washing or washing your hands frequently, and staying home when you experience symptoms of COVID-19 or after spending time with other people with symptoms. Anyone with symptoms (such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing) should be tested immediately and should stay home from work or school.
“We have already said it and we will say it again, but this time with much more urgency,” Lautenbach said in the statement. “Now, perhaps more than ever, the actions you take today can save your life and the lives of others. Cancel your plans this weekend “.
Diane Duthweiler of KIRO Radio contributed to this report.