Covid-19 update

There was one new case of covid-19 reported in the last week, bringing the cumulative number of cases to 600 in Wahkiakum County, according to the Washington Department of Health.

The number of hospitalizations of county residents stands at 41, and the number of deaths attributed to the virus stands at nine.

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.

As for vaccinations, 69.1 percent of the total population of the state of Washington has completed the primary series of the vaccination, while only 51.5 percent of Wahkiakum County residents have completed the primary series. As for boosters, 55.7 percent of Wahkiakum residents who were eligible have received them.

“We have received the new Pfizer covid booster,” Wahkiakum Health and Human Services Director Chris Bischoff said. “This booster is specific for omicron and the most active subvariants BA.4 and BA.5. This will give folks the best protection headed into the winter months.

The Pfizer booster is available to anyone age 12 and up that has finished the primary series and had at least two months pass since their last dose or booster.

The Pfizer vaccine is available for anyone six months and older 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. However, the clinic will be closed Sept. 14, Bischoff said.

The Moderna vaccine, including a second booster, is available at the Cathlamet Pharmacy. Call 360-795-3691. The pharmacy has not yet received the most recent Moderna booster specific to omicron sub variants.