In these updates, we will include news and updates, summarize publicly-available COVID-19 and vaccination data, and provide some context and details to help you understand what’s happening with COVID-19 in our community.
Each update will cover data for the week ending the previous Saturday. You can find the weekly data report, plus additional data, on our data page at www.whatcomcounty.us/coviddata. To find video versions of these updates in both English and Spanish, visit our Facebook page or YouTube channel.
Updates
COVID-19 vaccines for 5- to 11-year-olds. This week, the CDC, the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, and the Washington State Department of Health permitted the use of a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 5- to 11-year-olds. This vaccine is a different concentration than the version for teens and adults. Pediatric and adult doses are not interchangeable.
Because the pediatric vaccine just began shipping this week, and not all vaccine providers work with this age group, appointments are very limited. There are about 18,000 kids in this age group in Whatcom County, and there are many parents eager to get their children vaccinated. Please be patient while the supply increases and more vaccine providers come online.
Two Whatcom vaccine providers who have pediatric doses are PeaceHealth (call 1-833-375-0285 for an appointment) and Nooksack Valley Drug. We suggest three places to check for pediatric vaccine providers:
COVID-19 data highlights (week of 10/24 - 10/30)
This update focuses on COVID-19 data through the previous Saturday. We have to wait for complete data from a variety of sources, so our data reports will always cover the previous week. You can find the weekly data report, plus additional data, on our data page.
Cases. This reporting week, COVID cases remained at approximately the same high level:
- 466 new cases were reported in the week. The 7-day average count for confirmed and probable cases was 67 per day.
- The 14-day case rate was 400 per 100,000 people, or 913 total cases over 14 days.
- Among the sub-county areas, the case rate in Lynden remains higher than in other areas and is trending upward. The case rates in the Ferndale and Nooksack Valley regions declined over the reporting week.
- School-age children continue to make up 26% of the total cases for the current reporting week. The case rate among 5 – 17-year-olds remains higher than other age groups. The case rate for this age group is highest in Lynden and climbed back to a level reported in September for the area. The case rates for Blaine and Ferndale remain elevated, and the case rate for Meridian is also showing an increasing trend. The case rate for this age group in Nooksack Valley is trending downward but remains higher than other areas.
- The 7-day weekly case rate among unvaccinated residents in Whatcom County is four times greater than the equivalent rate among fully vaccinated residents.
Hospitalizations. Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 remain high among Whatcom County residents, and are most frequent among unvaccinated individuals and among those 65 years and older. During this reporting period, 35 Whatcom County residents were hospitalized because of COVID-19; 28 (80%) were unvaccinated or partially vaccinated.
According to the November 3 DOH report on COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations, and Deaths by Vaccination Status, hospitalization rates are many times higher among unvaccinated residents. For Washington residents 12 – 64 years old, the hospitalization rate per 100,000 is 13 to 17 times higher for unvaccinated residents. For those 65 years and older, the hospitalization rate was nine times higher among unvaccinated residents.
Deaths. During this reporting period, there were five deaths due to COVID-19:
- one unvaccinated male, 60-69 years
- one unvaccinated female, 70-79 years
- one vaccinated male, 60-69 years
- two vaccinated males, 70-79 years
According to the November 3 DOH report mentioned above, unvaccinated individuals 65 and older are 9 times more likely to die of COVID-19 than vaccinated individuals 65 and older.
Vaccination Progress and Clinics
Data. As of November 1, 61.9% of all Whatcom County residents have been fully vaccinated. Out of everyone in the county who’s eligible (for this reporting week, everyone 12 and older), 76.8% have gotten at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Clinics. Adolescents, teens and adults can get vaccinated for COVID-19 at most places you’d go for a flu vaccine, like grocery stores, pharmacies and health care clinics. However, vaccines for children between the ages of 5 and 11 are more limited at this time, and appointments are usually required for this age group. We’ve indicated the age ranges served at the bottom of each bulleted list. Clinics serving 5-11 year-olds are bolded in this list.
PeaceHealth Cordata Clinic (by appointment only)
- Go to PeaceHealth’s website or call 833-375-0285 between 8am and 5pm Monday through Friday to make an appointment.
- 4545 Cordata Pkwy, Bellingham
- Pfizer
- Open to everyone 5+ (pediatric appointments are limited throughout the week)
Nooksack Valley Drug
- Appointments required. Make an appointment at NooksackValleyDrug.com
- 208 E Main St, Everson
- Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson
- Open to everyone 5+ (pediatric appointments are limited throughout the week)
East Whatcom Regional Resource Center
- Thursday, Nov. 11, 3-7pm
- 8251 Kendall Rd, Maple Falls
- Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson
- Open to everyone 12+
Old Lynden Middle School Cafeteria
- Friday, Nov. 12, 4-7pm
- 516 Main St, Lynden
- Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson
- Open to everyone 12+
PeaceHealth Pediatric Vaccination Clinic
- Saturday, Nov. 13, 9:30am-12:30pm. Call 833-375-0285 between 8am and 5pm Monday through Friday to make an appointment.
- 4545 Cordata Pkwy, Bellingham
- Pfizer
- Ages 5-11 only
This week’s Facebook posts
The Health Department posts regularly on Facebook. Here’s a list of this week’s posts.