The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

There were four more cases of covid-19 reported this week in Wahkiakum County, with two on Tuesday, and two more on Wednesday, which brings the cumulative total to 258 cases. Eleven of those cases are considered potentially active.

Among county residents, the number of reported hospitalizations remains at 14, and five deaths have been attributed to covid-19.

“Cases are lower than a month ago, but they are leveling off in much of the state at a high level,” Wahkiakum Health and Human Services Director Chris Bischoff said. “This has many health officials worried about the upcoming holiday season."

On Tuesday, St. John Hospital was treating 15 patients for covid-19.

Covid vaccines and clinic for youth

"We are very excited that there is now a covid-19 vaccine available for anyone five and older,” Bischoff said. “WHHS has a good supply of both the 5-11 dose and the 12 and older dose. Although the risk for children in getting covid-19 and having severe symptoms is lower than for adults, it is still a serious threat to the health of our children. This vaccine gives us another tool in fighting infectious disease in our community and among our kids.”

WHHS is hosting a Pfizer vaccine clinic for youth on Tuesday, November 16 for five to 18 year olds at the Hope Center from 2-5 p.m. Parental consent is required for anyone under the age of 18. The Hope Center is located at 320 S. Third Street in Cathlamet. Call the health department at 360-795-6207 to get on the schedule, ask questions, or for information about consent and medical forms.

Walk-ins are welcome at the clinic, but a scheduled time is preferred.

Adolescents are also welcome at their normal clinics, which take place on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults, children, and adolescents age five and older get a covid-19 vaccine, according to a press release from WHHS. The Pfizer covid-19 vaccine is authorized for children and adolescents aged five and up, as a two dose series taken three weeks apart. The dose for children age five to 11 is one-third of the dosage of the vaccine for older adolescents and adults. Vaccination is the best way to protect children aged five and older from covid-19, which has become one of the top 10 causes of pediatric death, and tens of thousands of children and teens have been hospitalized with covid-19. While children and adolescents are typically at lower risk than adults of becoming severely ill or hospitalized, it is still possible.

Number of doses given on the rise

Between adults looking for the booster shot and parents wanting to get their children vaccinated, the number of doses given has risen significantly.

WHHS gave more than 130 booster doses between November 1 and November 8, and six first doses to children between the ages of five and 11 on November 8.

The county still remains well behind the state as far as the percentage of the population age 12 and over to be vaccinated. In Wahkiakum County it stands at 52.8 percent, while the state number for the same population is at 73.5 percent.

The percentage of Wahkiakum’s population 12 and over that has initiated vaccination is at 56 percent.

By age group, 61.2 percent of Wahkiakum residents age 65 and over are fully vaccinated. People between the ages of 35-49 have the second highest rate, at 53.9 percent. People between the ages of 50-64 are at 51.1 percent, while the group between the ages of 18 and 34 are at 43.1 percent. Youth between the ages of 12 and 17 have the lowest numbers at 26.5 percent.

Flu shots

Flu shots are not yet available at the health department, but they are supposed to be receiving them, Bischoff said, adding that they continue to ask the agent for updates and continue to be told the shots will come.