FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4, 2020
CONTACT: Heather Thomas, 425.339.8688
hthomas@snohd.org
Drive-up COVID-19 Testing, Final Flu Season Data
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. – The Snohomish Health District will continue surveillance testing at several long-term care facilities around the County, as well as limited testing in the east county area.
Testing will be in the parking lot at the Sno-Isle Libraries branch in Monroe located at 1070 Village Way. Appointments are now available beginning at 8 a.m. and the last one starting at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6. Slots will be opened up on Wednesday for Friday, May 8.
This community-based testing site is being operated by the Snohomish Health District, with volunteer support from the Medical Reserve Corps. Testing is done with rapid test machines, so individuals should expect results back in 15-20 minutes.
Criteria and registration details remain the same as last week. Updates and information is available at www.snohd.org/drive-thru-testing.
Flu season data
Influenza activity has sharply decreased since mid-March. Given this, the Snohomish Health District has prepared a final report for the 2019-2020 influenza season.
Number of reported cases in Snohomish County 2019-2020 influenza season through CDC week 18 (ending 5/02/2020)
Hospitalizations | 158 (mean age 60.5; median age 63.5; Age range <1-96 years) |
Influenza-related deaths* | 11 |
School absenteeism (>10%) due to influenza-like illness | 18 |
Long-term care facility influenza outbreaks | 7 |
*Deaths are all reported influenza-related deaths at the time of the report
There are two peaks this season: Influenza B peaked the first week of January, and Influenza A cases peaked the first week of February.
When compared to other influenza seasons, the 2019-2020 season was fairly mild with a relatively low number of deaths and hospitalizations.
Total number of reported influenza-related deaths in Snohomish County residents by season
Season | Number of deaths | mean age | median age |
2015-2016 | 9 | 56 | 62 |
2016-2017 | 45 | 78 | 82 |
2017-2018 | 40 | 79 | 84 |
2018-2019 | 26 | 64 | 60 |
2019-2020 | 11 | 68 | 74 |
The community is encouraged to help prevent the spread of illness and to support the response to this outbreak by staying informed and sharing reliable information. This is a very fluid situation and information will be updated at www.snohd.org/ncov2019 and the Health District’s social media channels.
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