You may have noticed that the CDC has moved Whatcom County back to ‘low’ on their COVID-19 dashboard. The reality is that our case rates continue to hover on the border between low and medium based on CDC criteria. The agency’s dashboard currently shows Whatcom with a case rate of 171. If we reach 200 cases or more, we would be back in the medium-risk category again. 

We can’t predict the future, but our COVID-19 cases may very likely go back up into the medium range, or even yo-yo back and forth for the next several weeks. Nobody wants another summer crushed by COVID-19. The choices you make now can really help us stop the spread of this disease:

• Get tested if you have symptoms or were exposed.

• Stay home if you are sick.

• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.

• Wear a high-quality mask, like an N95 (indoors, in public, and especially if you are at increased risk of serious illness).

• If you’re at increased risk of serious illness, remember that drugs to treat the virus are most effective if started soon after infection.