Emergency department testing shows significant community transmission of RSV and influenza in Whatcom, Skagit, Island, San Juan and Snohomish counties. COVID-19 has dropped below the significant community transmission threshold, according to data from Saturday, Jan. 20.
COVID cases earn the status of “above transmission alert threshold” when positive tests taken during emergency department visits are 3% or more. RSV requires only 0.3% to be labeled as such, and influenza 1%.
“The level is flattening out and maybe trending downward at this point,” Dr. Amy Harley, a co-health officer for Whatcom County Health and Community Services, said in a Friday, Jan. 19 email.
Harley noted that with fewer people testing themselves at home or getting laboratory tests, it is difficult to measure the rate of COVID-19 transmission accurately, and the health department has been relying on emergency department visits to track the virus.
In the North Sound region, emergency department visits were 2.9% COVID-positive over the week of Jan. 14-20, a decrease from around 3.2% at the end of December. Influenza is at 2.2%, and RSV is at 0.7%.
COVID was responsible for about 3.7% of statewide hospitalizations at the beginning of January, according to the state Department of Health’s respiratory virus data dashboard. Between Jan. 14-20, that percentage dropped to 2.4%.
“Levels are lower than they have been in the previous two respiratory seasons,” Harley said.
RSV and influenza were experiencing similar trends, with a peak in mid-December, followed by declining numbers.
“RSV is the most common cause of hospitalization in infants,” Harley said.
Vaccines are available to fight against the virus. A new vaccine for older adults and pregnant women who wish to protect their infants is available this respiratory season.
For infants whose mothers were not able to be immunized during pregnancy, there is also an RSV immunization available that can prevent the need for medical care due to RSV infection.
“COVID-19 and influenza vaccines are currently available for those who want to help prevent hospitalization and severe disease,” Harley said. More information on immunizations is available online.
