This past week, 4 new COVID-related deaths were reported. Skagit County remains at a “Moderate” disease transmission level.
We’ve seen a slight uptick in cases over the last week, which is something that experts expected as we monitor the situation with omicron BA.2 subvariant. It is still too early to say if trends will continue to increase, or if things will level off again.
In the meantime, now is a great time to go and get your booster dose if you haven’t already or get your 2nd booster dose if you are 50 years and older or immunocompromised. As always, stay home when you’re not feeling well and get tested if you suspect you’ve been exposed.
COVID-19 Treatment Options
Thousands of doses of a potentially lifesaving COVID-19 drug are available in the state of Washington and could potentially benefit those at highest risk for hospitalization and death from COVID-19.
Evusheld is a monoclonal antibody treatment that can provide protection against COVID-19. Provided via injection, it can be given to adults and children 12 years and older before infection with COVID-19. At present, those eligible to receive Evusheld include people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised or have had a severe allergic reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine.
Individuals interested in this treatment should talk to their health care provider to determine if they are eligible for Evusheld. If they are, they can work with their providers to find a facility where they can receive the injection.
People at high risk for severe disease from COVID-19 who are not eligible for Evusheld should ask their health care provider about other antiviral and monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID-19 that are available by prescription only and must be given within the first few days of COVID-19 symptoms to be effective.
The Test to Treat program can provide faster, easier access to lifesaving COVID-19 treatments. If you test positive, you can see a health care provider, and if eligible, get a prescription for an oral COVID-19 treatment and have that prescription filled—all at one location. Visit the Test to Treat locator or call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to get help in English, Spanish, and more than 150 other languages.
More information on COVID-19 therapeutics can also be found at Washington State Department of Health’s website here.
Vaccine Booster Update
People age 50 and older and certain immunocompromised individuals can now get a second booster dose of an mRNA (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) COVID-19 vaccine at least four months after receiving their initial booster dose.
- Read the full news release for further details.
- Read the CDC media statement.