Covid-19 update

No new cases of covid-19 were reported this week by Wahkiakum Health and Human Services, which only counts positive results from PCR tests, and their cumulative count stands at 314, with no active cases.

The Washington Department of Health, which counts PCR and antigen tests, is reporting 553 total cases in the county, 34 hospitalizations, and seven deaths attributed to covid-19. Last week, the department reported 551 cases, 34 hospitalizations and seven deaths.

"Case rates are still pretty high," Wahkiakum Health and Human Services Director Chris Bischoff said. "People should continue to exercise caution to slow the spread."

Disclaimer: With the easy accessibility of at home tests, the actual number of active covid-19 cases and actual cumulative numbers in the county, are hard to know.

According to WA DOH, 74.4 percent of the population of Washington state age five and up are considered fully vaccinated. Wahkiakum County's number is much lower at 52.4 percent.

A new covid-19 vaccine is likely to be approved in the next few weeks, according to Bischoff.

"Novavax has submitted data to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on their covid-19 vaccine," he said. "The data seems to show that the Novavax vaccine is approximately as effective as the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. Novavax is a more 'traditional' type of vaccine. It is not a 'live' virus or mRNA type, instead it uses spike proteins to help the body's immune system target the covid-19 virus."

The Pfizer vaccine will be available at the health department to anyone age six months and up beginning June 27.

"The FDA and Centers for Disease Control just approved both Pfizer and Moderna for vaccines for those six months and up," Bischoff said. "Due to storage and minimum quantity ordering, the Health and Human Services Department will only offer the Pfizer version. The Pfizer vaccine is a three dose series with 21 days between each dose. The Moderna vaccine is a two dose series with 28 days between doses."

"We have heard that the Family Health Center will have the Moderna vaccine for children and youth, but I don't know when they will start offering that," Bischoff added.

The Pfizer vaccine, including a second booster, is available at the WHHS vaccine clinic on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3 p.m. Call 360-849-4041 for more information.

The Moderna vaccine, including a second booster, is available at the Cathlamet Pharmacy. Call 360-795-3691.

The case rate through much of the state is still pretty high. People should continue to exercise caution to help slow the spread.