Recent Coronaviruses Decline King County Plateau

The Seattle-King County weekly coronavirus update contained some promising signs on Friday, but the ongoing plateau is worrisome to health officials. Dr. Jeff Duchin started his briefing on Friday and provided some good news several times, with some reasons to keep an eye on it.

“By continuing to pay attention to COVID-19 prevention and increased vaccination, it is quite possible that we will be much closer to normal life this summer,” Duchin said. “But our case rate has stopped declining, and more infectious and perhaps more severe variants are increasing.”

Overall cases, hospitalizations and deaths significantly peaked in the third wave, from an astonishing 778 cases diagnosed daily in early December to an average of 133 cases per day last week, according to Duchin. It is below. According to Duchin, the third wave was responsible for three-quarters of the county’s COVID-19 cases and about half of hospitalizations and deaths.

Perhaps the most striking progress in recent weeks has been seen in some of King County’s most vulnerable residents — perhaps the result of vaccination.

“Since mid-February, the case rate of COVID-19 has declined most rapidly among adults aged 75 and over. I think this represents early protection from vaccination. This is really great. That’s what Duchin said. “Also, the dozens and hundreds of cases reported weekly in long-term care facilities have gone up to single digits in recent weeks.”

Overall, the number of cases remains higher than in the fall, and the sharp decline has leveled off considerably.

“This plateau has increased community activity and interaction, so it started about two weeks after we moved to Phase 2 of our recovery roadmap,” Duchin said. “We carefully monitor signs of increased cases or increased hospitalizations, which are usually weeks behind changes in case rates.”

Currently, according to county data, hospitalizations are comparable to pre-third wave hospitalizations, with an average of 5-7 hospitalizations per day. Mortality rates have declined across age groups, but on average three people die each day. The effects of the virus continue to hurt some groups more than others.

“Despite the decline in overall cases, the disparity in the impact of COVID-19 across the county continues, with southern King County compared to the Shoreline community in central and northern Seattle. Cases, hospitalizations and mortality rates are two to three times higher, Bellevue, Issaquah, Mercer Island, Eastside, and eastern King County. ” “We continue to focus on vaccination strategies to reach the highest rates in the county.”

Despite continued supply challenges, King County has made further progress in its priority group vaccination efforts, recording 100,000 doses given last week. Duchin said 72% of eligible individuals were first dosed and 42% are currently fully vaccinated. Approximately 71% of adults over the age of 75 receive at least one dose from 44% in mid-February.

Federal supply forecasts show a gradual increase in deliveries over the next few weeks, and the new group will be eligible from March 22nd. A New directive The availability of vaccinations to teachers, childcare workers and other educational staff is supported through a federal pharmacy program individually assigned by the government.

Vaccination of the larger population is expected to still take months. Until then, health officials have continued to emphasize the importance of maintaining defenses, especially with the addition of uncertainty from more infectious variants.

Relation: WA detects more variant cases. DOH updates vaccine outlook

“A few weeks ago, I suggested that our situation was like in front of a hurricane,” Duchin said. “The forecast may have improved, but we still need to be prepared for possible stormy weather.”

To date, surveillance efforts have revealed approximately four dozen cases in King County associated with the first identified B.1.1.7 variant in the United Kingdom and five from the first identified B.1351 variant in South Africa. became. According to Duchin, the state genetically sequences less than 3% of all positive tests, so known cases are likely to be only a small part of the case in the community.

Relation: Washington strengthens efforts to detect coronavirus variants

“If we don’t get too comfortable to control the COVID-19 epidemic, traveling and gathering like the summer and winter holiday seasons increases the risk of experiencing even greater spikes in some cases this year. Spring hospitalization and death. ” “We’re approaching, but not yet at risk. Immediately letting go of important COVID-19 precautions is like jumping off an airplane and throwing a parachute before it hits the ground. “