COVID numbers continue to rise in Yakima County as omicron BA.5 becomes the most common strain in the state.
A report made public by the Washington State Department of Health showed on Wednesday that the BA.5 omicron subvariant took less than a month to become the most common strain in the state. The variant, which accounted for about 4.3% of COVID cases in the state in early June, rapidly increased to account for 54.7% of cases in early July.
The DOH reported that approximately 67% of all sequenced cases of COVID-19 in the state were omicron BA.5 on July 20.
The subvariant is highly contagious, but officials say its effects are consistent with those of other omicron subvariants. Its ability to spread is contributing to the rise in cases and hospitalizations across the state, although the death toll has remained low compared to other variants.
According to the DOH report, 17 cases of omicron BA.5 have been recorded in Yakima County. Only a small percentage of tests are sequenced. The data is based on 107,533 sequenced COVID-19 cases in the state this year, or about 9% of total cases.
Local numbers
According to its latest report, the Yakima Health District recorded 748 new cases for the week ending Friday, July 22.
The number of people hospitalized with COVID was 16 on Friday. The health district reported two new deaths.
The rate of cases per 100,000 people over the past 14 days rose to 572 from 501 the previous week. It was last this high at the end of February.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention listed Yakima County medium to community level this week, up from the low in early July. At this level, the CDC recommends that those at high risk speak with their doctor about wearing a mask and taking other precautions. People are encouraged to stay up to date with their vaccines.
Yakima Health District officials suggest people monitor the CDC community level and be aware that many cases are going unreported because people are using home testing.
The health district has coordinated with county health care providers to ensure that antivirals like Paxlovid are readily available. Paxlovid is an oral medication for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age, who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are at high risk of severe COVID-19 disease. 19, including hospitalization or death.
The health district is urging county residents to speak with their health care providers about possible treatment for COVID-19, especially if they are at high risk. YHD has shared a Provider Alert with information about Paxlovid to healthcare providers on how to order Paxlovid and how to prescribe it.
Health district officials also said they will work with area school officials on possible preventative measures to keep students safe as the start of the school year nears.
A new vaccine
The CDC announced his support for the new Novavax COVID-19 vaccine for adults 18 and older after its Immunization Practices Advisory Committee voted unanimously to recommend its use.
An American Medical Association article said the Novavax vaccine is unique among other COVID-19 vaccines in the United States because of its use of a more traditional vaccine. protein-based delivery system.
While the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines use vehicles like messenger RNA and the common cold virus to deliver instructions on how to fight COVID-19, the Novavax vaccine uses a protein from a cell of insect to achieve the same effect.
This type of protein-based vaccine has been around for years and is most often used to protect against human papillomavirus, hepatitis B and shingles. In addition to protein, an adjuvant, an ingredient used to boost the body’s immune response is also used. In this case, the adjuvant is made from saponin extract from the bark of the soap tree.
The Novavax vaccine has been licensed for a two-dose primary series with doses separated by 3 to 8 weeks.
According to a planning guide published by the CDC, the 3 million available doses of the Novavax vaccine are expected to be available for states to order beginning the week of July 25. A delivery date is yet to be determined.
More local resources
YHD recommends visiting www.YakimaVaccines.org Where www.YakimaVacunas.org for locations and vaccine availability.
Anyone 6 months or older is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, while people 5 years and older are eligible for boosters.
Yakima Valley College is offering free COVID-19 testing from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. More information can be found at www.YakimaTesting.org Where www.YakimaPruebas.org.
Yakima County residents can order free rapid tests to be delivered to their doorstep from the federal government by visiting COVID.gov/tests or calling 1-800-232-0233. Washington State offers free testing at the sayyescovidhomestest.org website.
People who test positive for COVID-19 are advised to stay home and away from other people while they are contagious. People who have used a home test can report positive results to Washington’s COVID-19 hotline at 1-800-525-0127.
If households need additional resources, they can call Care Connect Washington at 1-800-525-0127. Care Connect Washington can provide food and other necessities to people who have tested positive for COVID-19 or who have been exposed and need help isolating or quarantining at home.
