FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                
August 20, 2021

CONTACT:   Heather Thomas, 425.508.4980
communications@snohd.org

New Data Highlights Impact that Delta is Having in Snohomish County

Report also shows vaccines are saving lives 

SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. – The latest data report from the Snohomish Health District looked at all cases through July 31. In addition to confirming the impact that the Delta strain is having locally, the report also included a first look at cases by vaccination status.  

July had twice as many confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 2,670 cases compared to 1,322 in June. Of those, nearly 80 percent were among unvaccinated individuals. Meanwhile, over 3,000 cases were reported during the first two weeks of August.  

“This rapid increase in cases over the past six weeks reflects a combination of a more contagious Delta strain, reduced mask wearing, increased social and larger gatherings, and an incomplete vaccination coverage,” said Dr. Chris Spitters, Health Officer for the Snohomish Health District. 

The Delta strain is causing people to get sick quicker, making it easier to spread and to infect more people than previous strains. This is a strain that has become very efficient at moving through communities at lightning speed. In addition to the Delta variant, the time since vaccination and age of the affected population may also be playing a role.  

While the proportion of new cases among fully vaccinated residents has increased somewhat, the vaccines are still proving to be highly effective at preventing hospitalizations and death. Of the 140 residents hospitalized in July, 79 percent (111 patients) were unvaccinated. 

Although 20 percent of cases and hospitalizations occurring in fully vaccinated individuals may be concerning about trends in vaccine effectiveness, it should not be cause for alarm. For instance, older people are more likely to have been vaccinated and more likely to have severe disease if infected. That combination could result in a lower apparent effectiveness if age is not accounted for in the analysis.  

Further study is underway to evaluate what recent data means for the vaccine’s current effectiveness in preventing infection and severe disease. However, age-group analysis of effectiveness data elsewhere suggests that protection against severe disease is indeed still strong in all age groups. Local hospital leaders are also reporting that it is rare to see fully vaccinated cases in the intensive care unit, unless there are additional factors like immunosuppression or advanced age.  

In its most recent statewide transmission report, the Washington State Department of Health noted that “…if the entire population were to experience the rates of hospitalizations currently seen in the unvaccinated, the hospital system would be completely overwhelmed.”

Meanwhile, the recent rise in cases has not yet been associated with an increase in mortality locally.   

“From January through July, only four fully vaccinated residents died from COVID-19,” noted Dr. Spitters. “These vaccines are doing what they were made to do, and that’s to save lives.”

In addition to the report, the Health District also published new heat and ZIP code maps through July 31. It’s important to note that the ZIP codes in Snohomish County with the lowest vaccination rates are also among the high case rates during that time period. 

For more information about the COVID vaccine, including where to find a clinic near you, visit www.snohd.org/covidvaccine.     

statewide mask order goes into effect Monday

Washington State Secretary of Health Umair A. Shah, M.D., MPH, amended Order 20-03 requiring face masks for everyone over five years of age in most public indoor settings regardless of vaccination status. These include places like grocery stores, malls, gyms, and community centers. Masks are strongly recommended in crowded outdoor settings like sporting events, fairs, and concerts where physical distancing is not possible. The updated order goes into effect on Monday, Aug. 23.

The order follows on the heels of the recommendations of all 35 local health officers in the state of Washington and recent changes to CDC guidance that all people, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks in indoor public settings, in areas of substantial or high transmission. With the rise of the more infectious Delta variant, every county in Washington is currently categorized as having substantial or high transmission.  

Reinstating mask requirements is necessary in addition to increasing vaccinations, to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Washington. The health care system is under immense strain, due in part to increased COVID-19 transmission, mostly among unvaccinated people. 

There are some exceptions to the indoor mask requirement, including:

• Children under five years of age. However, children age two to four years old can wear a mask under close adult supervision.
• People with a medical or mental health condition or disability that prevents them from wearing a mask
• Fully vaccinated workers who are working alone or in an area not accessible to the public
• Athletes who play indoor sports and who are actively engaged in competition or practice (masks are still required on sidelines and in team meetings)
• Small indoor private gatherings when everyone is vaccinated
• Children under two years of age should not wear a face covering due to the risk of suffocation

It is important to use and handle masks properly. A mask should fit snugly over both your mouth and nose, and it should not have holes or tears in the fabric. Cloth face coverings should be washed frequently, ideally after each use, and certainly daily. If you are not able to wash it after each use, wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer immediately after putting it back on and avoid touching your face.

For more information about the state mask requirements, visit www.doh.wa.gov/masks. 

COVID TESTING SITE SCHEDULE 

The schedule for the week of August 23 is as follows:

• Everett site located at 3715 Oakes Avenue – Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Lynnwood Food Bank site at 5320 176th St SW – open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Appointments for testing are required, and registration is available at www.snohd.org/testing. 

Those without internet access or needing language assistance can reach the Health District’s call center at 425.339.5278 to schedule a testing appointment. The call center is staffed 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Callers after hours or on weekends can leave a message, which will be returned on the next business day.

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