On May 16, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its mask guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals
Summer is fast approaching which means the 4th of July is right around the corner. With vaccination rates continuing to increase each week, Clark County Public Health officials are looking forward to area residents celebrating together this year.
For those interested in getting a COVID-19 vaccine, Public Health officials reminded members of the public this week that it’s not too late to be fully vaccinated by July 4.
By starting your first dose of Pfizer or Moderna or a single dose of Johnson & Johnson before the end of May, you can be considered fully vaccinated in time for the Fourth of July holiday.
Fully vaccinated means you have the full protection of the vaccine. You’re considered fully vaccinated two weeks after getting the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine or two weeks after getting the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. (Remember: Pfizer requires two doses three weeks apart, and Moderna requires two doses four weeks apart.)
Those seeking a COVID-19 vaccine can visit the Clark County Public Health website website for information on locations offering COVID-19 vaccine.
CDC mask guidelines
On May 16, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its mask guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced that Washington will fully adopt the masking guidelines issued by the CDC.
Those guidelines include:
- You can resume activities that you did prior to the pandemic.
- You can resume activities without wearing a mask or staying 6 feet apart, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.
- If you travel in the United States, you do not need to get tested before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel.
County COVID-19 update
This week, Clark County Public Health has reported 488 total new cases of COVID-19 (confirmed and antigen probable). This includes an average of 98 per day over last weekend. That brings the total of confirmed cases to date to 22,784.
Public Health officials also reported four new confirmed deaths this week due to COVID-19, which brings the total deaths to date to 263 (232 confirmed and 31 suspected). The new confirmed deaths included a man 80-plus years old with underlying health conditions, two men in their 70s with underlying health conditions, and a man in his 30s with underlying health conditions.
As of Thursday (May 20), there are 630 active cases (in isolation period) and 46 COVID-19 patients are hospitalized.
On Tuesday, Public Health officials updated Clark County’s current COVID-19 rates.
• COVID-19 activity rate is 266.6 cases per 100,000 over 14 days (down from 276.6 cases per 100,000 last week)
• COVID-19 new hospital admission rate is 6.4 per 100,000 people over 7 days (up from 5.2 per 100,000 last week)
Reminder: Confirmed cases are people with a positive molecular (PCR) test for COVID-19. Antigen probable cases are people with a positive antigen test and no molecular test. A confirmed death means COVID is listed as cause of death or contributing factor on the death certificate and the case has a positive COVID test.
Also announced this week, five previously confirmed deaths have been removed following additional review by Department of Health certifiers and medical records review by Clark County Public Health. These deaths were reported between the end of December and mid-March.
Free and discounted rides
Clark County Public Health also shared information on free and discounted rides that are now available to those who need help getting to vaccine appointments.
The Vaccine Action Command and Coordination System (VACCS) Center has partnered with Lyft, Uber, United Way Worldwide, Washington 211 and Sea Mar Community Health Centers to provide access to free and discounted rides to vaccine appointments for people with transportation challenges.
For those who face transportation barriers and need a ride to get a vaccine can call the state COVID-19 information hotline at 833-VAX-HELP and a hotline specialist will assist in coordinating the rides.
For more information see Washington State Department of Health’s blog https://bit.ly/3blBvsz.
Information provided by Clark County Public Health.
