Covid-19 update

One more case of covid-19 was reported this week, bringing the cumulative total to 608 in Wahkiakum County, according to the Washington Department of Health. The number of hospitalizations rose by one to 43, and there have been nine deaths attributed to the virus.

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.

"Covid-19 is on a slight increase in cases around the state,” Wahkiakum Health and Human Services Director Chris Bischoff said. “As we head indoors for family gatherings, it would be good to keep vigilant. The best protection is still the vaccine and especially the new improved booster.”

While 69.5 percent of the total population of the state of Washington has completed the primary series of the vaccine, the numbers are much lower in Wahkiakum County, where only 51.6 percent of the total population has done so.

The Pfizer version of 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.

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.

Moderna’s version of the new bivalent booster is now available at the Cathlamet Pharmacy, as well as the primary series. Call 360-795-3691 to make an appointment. Appointments are available between the hours of 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. and 2-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Flu shots are also available at the pharmacy. Call to make an appointment. Please note that the flu shot and the booster can be given at the same time.

“The normal flu is still a fairly dangerous disease,” Bischoff said. “I would encourage everyone to get their flu shot now. The flu vaccine is fairly readily available in multiple locations. We have the juvenile flu vaccine at the health department that covers youths up to 18. We are still working on getting the adult version of the flu shot.”