Covid-19 update

There were no new cases of covid-19 reported in Wahkiakum County in the last week according to the Washington Department of Health, and the cumulative total remains 617.

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 case levels are staying at a concerning level for much of the state, but have been holding relatively steady for a few months now,” Wahkiakum Health and Human Services Director Chris Bischoff said.

The number of hospitalizations and deaths attributed to the virus remain unchanged and hold at 46 and nine respectively.

“BA.5, a subvariant of omicron, has been the dominant subvariant since the summer in the United States,” Bischoff said. “Now it accounts for fewer than 50 percent of new cases. Two subvariants of BA.5, called BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 are now starting to become the dominant varieties in the US at least.”

“Neither of these subvariants are showing a significant difference in severity versus BA.5,” Bischoff added. “Since the new booster is tuned to BA.5, it is hoped that it will provide decent coverage for these two subvariants as well.”

According the WA DOH, 70 percent of the total population of Washington State has received the primary series of the vaccination, while only 52.4 percent of the total population of Wahkiakum County has done so.

The primary series of the Pfizer vaccine and the new Pfizer bivalent booster, including the version for juveniles, are available at the vaccine clinic offered by Wahkiakum Health and Human Services. The clinic is held 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. There will be no vaccination clinic on November 23.

The primary series of the Moderna vaccine and the new Moderna bivalent booster are now available at the Cathlamet Pharmacy by appointment, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. and 2-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call 360-795-3691 for more information or to make an appointment.

Flu shots are available at the pharmacy by appointment. The flu shot and the booster can be given at the same time. WHHS is offering both the high dose and regular adult flu shots and the juvenile flu shots during their clinics.

“If folks haven’t gotten any of these, now is a good time,” Bischoff said.

The health department offices, which are currently found at the back of the Wahkiakum County Courthouse, will be closed from December 5-9 for a move to their new home on the Elochoman Campus at 42 Elochoman Valley Road. They will open for business on December 12.