COVID cases increasing in Whatcom, and it could get worse
Whatcom County is one of three counties in Washington state where COVID-19 infections have increased from low to medium levels, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and local health officials are urging residents to be more cautious.
It’s part of an ebb and flow of several respiratory illnesses in what has become a grueling season of coughs, colds and flu, said Dr. Amy Harley, who is co-health officer for the Whatcom County Health Department.
“Like other areas in our region, we saw a very large increase in respiratory illnesses around the Thanksgiving holiday,” Harley told The Bellingham Herald in an email.
A “tridemic” of influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and COVID-19 has been raging through families, schools and workplaces during fall and into winter, she said.
“The good news is that the very high rates of disease from this earlier tridemic surge appear to have plateaued or declined. Unfortunately, we are likely to see a post-holiday surge from Christmas and other similar gatherings,” Harley said.
Whatcom County’s case rate for COVID-19 is 37 per 100,000 population, according to the CDC.
A total of 12 people with COVID-19 were being treated at St. Joseph hospital on Friday, Dec. 30, said PeaceHealth spokeswoman Anne Williams.
“Our health-care systems locally and across the state continue to work through these surges in COVID-19 and normal to high levels of other illnesses like RSV and flu,” Harley said.
Vaccination is the best protection against severe influenza and COVID-19, she said.
“Everyone 6 months and older should be vaccinated against these diseases and those who are eligible for an updated COVID-19 booster should get it now,” Harley said.
According to the Health Department, other ways to stay healthy and keep from spreading illnesses include:
▪ Stay home from work and school and avoid gatherings when you are sick.
▪ Wear a mask if you are sick and must be around others and if you are in a high-risk group and need to be around others.
▪ Have free COVID-19 test kits at home and use them if you develop symptoms.
▪ People who are at increased risk for severe infections should have a plan for rapid treatment for COVID-19 and influenza.
This story was originally published December 31, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
