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. See details about vaccine providers, clinics, and new Q&A videos in both English and Spanish in our Vaccination Progress section.
COVID-19 data highlights (week of 11/1 - 11/6)
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:
440 new cases were reported in the week. The 7-day average count for confirmed and probable cases was 63 per day.
The 14-day case rate was 397 per 100,000 people, or 906 total cases over 14 days.
Among the sub-county areas, the relatively high case rate in the Lynden area decreased to 367 per 100,000 during the current reporting week. The Nooksack Valley area saw an increased number of cases relative to its smaller population. This translates to an upward trend and the relatively high case rate. The 7-day case rates in the other regions remain at a level of 200 per 100,000 or below for this recent reporting week.
Cases in school-age children rose to 29% 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 Nooksack Valley; the case rate in Lynden declined slightly but remained high.
The 7-day weekly case rate among unvaccinated residents in Whatcom County remains about four times greater than the equivalent rate among fully vaccinated residents.
Hospitalizations. New hospitalizations due to COVID-19 remain high among Whatcom County residents but is trending downward, with a total of 27 (down from 35 hospitalizations the previous week). More unvaccinated residents (22 out of 27, or 81%) continue to need hospitalization for COVID-19 symptoms than vaccinated residents. The number of hospitalizations declined significantly among residents 65 years and older.
According to the November 10 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 18 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 was one death due to COVID-19:
According to the November 10 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 8, 67.3% of all Whatcom County residents have started vaccination and 62.2% have finished. Data for 5-11 year-olds hasn’t been made available yet on DOH’s data dashboards, but once it is we will include this data in our updates.
Boosters. DOH has started reporting additional doses, defined as any dose received after August 13 that is in addition to those required to complete the initial vaccination series (two doses for Pfizer and Moderna, one dose for Johnson & Johnson). As of 11/6, the total number of additional doses administered to Whatcom residents is 22,790. Of those, 14,529 have been for residents 65+, representing 32% of the 65+ population in Whatcom County.
Pediatric vaccines. We’ve made a couple of videos to answer some common questions many parents have about pediatric COVID-19 vaccines, in English and Spanish. Check them out on our pediatric COVID-19 vaccine page. Topics discussed include:
Safety and efficacy
Difference between pediatric and adult doses
Potential risks and known benefits
Where to find additional information
We’re also maintaining a list of providers who’ve told us they intend to offer pediatric COVID-19 vaccines. Dates, times and appointment scheduling procedures vary at each of these locations. We keep this list on our vaccine page and we’ll update it every Monday.
Pop-ups. 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, with clinics serving 5-11 year-olds bolded. Some clinics may not have registration links available yet.
A Watered Garden Family Learning Center
Wednesday, Nov. 17, 3-7pm
700 Strandell St, Everson
Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson
12+ only. No appointment needed, but if you’d like one, you can register here: https://bit.ly/3DeReFL
East Whatcom Regional Resource Center
Thursday, Nov. 18, 3-7pm
8251 Kendall Rd, Maple Falls
Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson
Walk-ins welcome for everyone 12+. Appointments required for 5-11 year-olds.
Old Lynden Middle School Cafeteria
Friday, Nov. 19, 4-7pm
516 Main St, Lynden
Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson
Walk-ins welcome for everyone 12+. Appointments required for 5-11 year-olds.
Everson Elementary
Saturday, Nov. 20, 10am-2pm
216 Everson Goshen Rd, Everson
Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson
Walk-ins welcome for everyone 12+. Appointments required for 5-11 year-olds.
PeaceHealth Pediatric Vaccination Clinic
Saturday, Nov. 20, 9:30am-12:30pm
4545 Cordata Pkwy, Bellingham
Pfizer
Ages 5-11 only. Call 833-375-0285 between 8am and 5pm Monday through Friday to make an appointment.
This week’s Facebook posts
The Health Department posts regularly on Facebook. Here’s a list of this week’s posts.