||| FROM KYRA JAHANFAR for SJC HEALTH & COMMUNITY SERVICES |||
Over the previous 5 weeks leading up to last week’s update there were 115 new cases. Since the update last Friday May
5, there have been 100 new confirmed or probable cases in San Juan County. Current case count is now 1490. The
following represents current confirmed or probable cases reported across the islands.
- LOPEZ ISLAND: There are 17 active cases.
- ORCAS ISLAND: There are 26 active cases.
- SAN JUAN ISLAND: There are 40 active cases.
Note that these numbers do not include suspect cases (e.g., positive over-the-counter tests). Because of this, the actual
number of cases in the community is likely significantly higher. Case rates are continuing to increase locally, regionally,
and statewide.
What can we do?
Covid restrictions have largely been lifted. Given the current setting, where there are no broad community control
measures in place to prevent spread it is up to each of us to manage our own risk and be thoughtful of those around us.
The following are some ways to protect limit our personal risk and prevent community spread at the same time:
- If you are sick, stay home and test yourself for COVID. Test kits come with two tests for a reason. If the first test
is negative, please use the second test at least 24 hours later to accurately determine your status. You may use
the following resources if you are symptomatic, test positive, or are a close contact of a positive individual: - Those who are high-risk or who are interacting closely with others who are high-risk, should continue to be
thoughtful and work to minimize exposure. Minimizing exposure includes wearing masks, limiting gatherings,
and testing prior to gatherings. - It is NEVER too late to vaccinate. COVID vaccines dramatically reduce the risk of hospitalization and death if
infected. Booster shots significantly reduce risks even further. Additional appointments at County mass
vaccination sites were opened this week. For information on COVID vaccine appointments visit sjccovid.com. - Individuals that are high-risk and test positive for COVID are encouraged to contact their medical home or
Primary Care Provider (PCP) regarding treatment options. Preventative therapies are also available before you
get infected. - Know your Status. You can still order free COVID test kits through the Washington State Department of Health
at the Yes to Test website here. Currently, you may place an order for two test kits once a month (this is subject
to change).
Those who wish to keep up with case numbers may do so at the SJC COVID Data Dashboard. We will continue written
updates as necessary to share critical information.
From today’s New York Times covid tables, San Juan County tops all counties in Washington state with a +284% infection rate over the last two week period.
Stay safe!
@Samuel Webster; I looked for that info and could only find info on San Juan County, New Mexico. But NYT only lets paid readers, read. I saw nothing on the other news media about SJC, WA – they all were talking about New Mexico.. Are you sure this is not New Mexico? Please provide that link here if you would. thanks.
I subscribe to the NYT onllne, so I can tell you the reference is to San Juan County, WA. However, we do not have a “284% infection rate.” It would be impossible for more than 100% of us to be infected with Covid. According to the NYT, our county’s 14-day average # of Covid cases (as of May 14) was 16, up 284% from 2 weeks earlier. That would mean that the 14-day average as of April 30 was 4.16. When dealing with small numbers, rates of change can be very high. In the same chart, the Times reports that SJC’s daily average of Covid-related hospitalizations as of May 14 was 1, up 43%. That would mean that the same figure for April 30 was about 0.69.
The figure for total Covid-related deaths in SJC, according to the same chart, remains at 2. I hope this helps clarify things.
Mr. Webster is correct. As per the NY Times, daily average of new COVID cases in San Juan County, WA for the last 2 weeks is 16; there are 90 cases per 100,000 residents; and we’ve seen an increase of 284% in the last 2 weeks, despite a vaccination rate of 82%. Stay home if you are sick, wear a high quality mask when visiting indoor public spaces or avoid them as much as possible if you’re in a high risk category, which probably includes most of us Orcas residents.
From today’s NYT data on covid infections per state per country as of May 18th.
Washington state counties, San Juan County now at +90% 14 day change and 91 cases per 100,000 people (down from +284% increase per latest reported data.
We still have the highest infection rate for all Washington state counties followed by Clallam county which has a 55 per 100,000 people rate.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/washington-covid-cases.html
Select San Juan County for further detail:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/san-juan-washington-covid-cases.html
I was puzzled by this earlier because San Juan County seemed to be doing much better overall throughout the pandemic. I think we had a good vaccination and compliance effort. What has changed I guess is a lot less people are wearing masks.