Covid-19 update

Three more cases of covid-19 were reported in Wahkiakum County this week according to the Washington Department of Health, bringing the cumulative number to 607.

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.

The number of people hospitalized in the county because of covid-19 stands at 42, and nine deaths have been attributed to the virus.

“Covid-19 activity levels in the state are still mostly decreasing,” Wahkiakum Health and Human Services Director Chris Bischoff said. “Activity is still at a concerning level and people should exercise caution and get the new booster as soon as they can.”

While 69.4 percent of the total population of the state has completed the primary series of the vaccine, only 51.6 percent of the total population in Wahkiakum County has done so.

A new bivalent booster that covers the original strain of covid-19 as well as omicron and its two sub variants, BA.4 and BA.5, is available at the vaccine clinic offered by WHHS. Anyone age 12 and up who has completed the primary series is eligible to get the bivalent booster if it has been at least two months since their last dose or booster.

“We're still trying to get folks in for the new and improved booster,” Bischoff said. “We've had decent business with that, but we would certainly like more.”

Bischoff also said that Pfizer has asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to approve the newly formulated booster for children age 5 and up. They expect to hear more in the next few weeks.

The primary series of the Pfizer vaccine, which can be given to anyone six months and older, is also 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 is available at the Cathlamet Pharmacy. Call 360-795-3691. Please note: The pharmacy has not yet received Moderna’s version of the bivalent booster but they are hoping to have better news next week.

Flu shots are now available at the pharmacy as well. Appointments are not necessary at this time, but they ask anyone wanting the shot to come in between the hours of 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. and 2-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.