Nurse Jeanie Backus speaks about COVID-19 vaccinations at a Veterans Affairs long-term care facility on December 17, 2020 in Vancouver, Washington. (Photo by Nathan Howard / Getty Images)
Located near the Canadian border, Whatcom County is the state’s current COVID-19 hotspot. The county is seeing a faster transmission speed than anywhere else in Washington.
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Erica Lautenbach, director of the Whatcom County Health Department, expects this month’s COVID-19 cases to be three times higher than in December, the worst month on record in the county. Since December 30, the number of cases in the province has risen rapidly and this week’s seven-day average is twice that of last week.
“The rates we’re seeing are unlike anything we’ve ever experienced in the past, and unlike the hike we saw after the Thanksgiving holiday. And unlike anything we don’t see anywhere else in the state, ”said Lautenbach.
While she told KIRO Radio that there are no known superspreader events or highly transmissible virus sites in the county, she did say that the majority of the cases that could be detected were related to unsafe socializing.
“For those we know who have a resource, 80% of our cases come from social events and household activities,” she said.
Lautenbach says the number of cases is on the rise in all age groups and that Whatcom County is in “unknown and dangerous territory.” She asks everyone to cancel all non-essential activities and social plans.
The health department is concerned that the virus will spread even faster if employees return to their workplace after vacation vacations. To limit further spread, the department has asked people to take additional and immediate measures.
“The steps we need to take are now known, and if we all act immediately we can stop this viral wave in its way,” Lautenbach said in a press release.
These measures include wearing a mask around others not in the same household, avoiding gatherings, washing or disinfecting hands often, and staying home when you experience symptoms of COVID-19 or after spending time with others with symptoms . Anyone experiencing symptoms – such as a fever, cough, or shortness of breath – should be tested immediately and stay home from work or school.
“We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, but this time much more urgently,” Lautenbach said in the press release. “Now, perhaps more than ever, the actions you take today can save your life and that of others. Cancel your plans this weekend. “
Diane Duthweiler of KIRO Radio contributed to this report.