Thursday, March 28, 2024

Majority of 2021 state COVID patients not fully vaccinated

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OLYMPIA – A startling statistic released by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) on July 29 reveals that of the number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths between February and June this year, more than 94 percent occurred in those age 12 and older who were not fully vaccinated.
The DOH defines the term “not fully vaccinated” as “those who have not received any dose of a COVID-19 vaccine or have received one or more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine but are not fully protected.”
Full protection from vaccination occurs about two weeks after receiving the final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine, said a DOH media release, because it typically takes that long for the body to build a high enough level of protection to fight the disease.
The DOH reports that as of July 24, 61.4 percent of those eligible to receive vaccines have completed an approved vaccination series in our state. A total of 431,743 confirmed cases and 6,119 deaths have been recorded in the state as of July 28.
A sharp rise of COVID cases caused by the highly contagious Delta variant has been reported in hospitals across the nation. Delta is considered twice as transmissible as the original COVID virus.
    •    A DOH statement released on July 28 regarding the 2021-22 school year said masks will be required for all K-12 students and staff heading back to the classroom.

“To protect those who have not been vaccinated and reduce risk of transmission,” said the DOH release, “public and private K-12 schools must use the following layered prevention strategies:
    •    All school personnel, volunteers, visitors, and students must wear cloth face coverings or masks regardless of vaccination status when indoors and on school buses.
    •    Schools should maintain at least three feet of physical distancing between students in classroom settings, to the degree possible and reasonable, that allows for full-time, in-person learning for all students.
    •    Schools must have good ventilation and indoor air quality, cleaning, and disinfecting procedures, and continue to encourage frequent handwashing and good respiratory etiquette.
    •    Students and school employees who have symptoms of COVID-19 or the flu should stay home and seek medical attention, which may include COVID-19 testing.
    •    Schools must have plans in place to quickly respond to COVID-19 cases among students and staff.”

On July 27 Governor Jay Inslee rescinded two COVID-19 emergency proclamations, 20-44 and 20-70, and gave advance notice of the rescission of a third, 20-20. A media release from the governor’s office cited them as follows:
 
Proclamation 20-44 waived/suspended statutory requirements that allow nursing homes to transfer and discharge residents to other long-term care facilities. This order is no longer needed, and it is rescinded effective immediately.

Proclamation 20-70 prohibited K-12 schools from interpreting the student transportation statutes to restrict a school’s ability to use its transportation allocation for certain purposes, like delivering educational materials, meals, and technology for remote learning. This order is no longer needed due to the passage of Senate Bill 5128, concerning student transportation funding during a local, state, or national emergency, and it is rescinded effective immediately.

Proclamation 20-20 waived/suspended statutes related to tax penalties, fees, interest, and due dates to provide tax relief. This order will be rescinded at 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 30.
A state COVID-19 Assistance Hotline is available to provide general information and answer questions. Call 1-800-525-0127, then press # or text 211-211 for help. New hours of operation are 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. Monday, and 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and observed state holidays. Callers can also text the word “Coronavirus” to 211-211 to receive information and updates sent to their phones.

 

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