This post will be updated with information about the Covid-19 pandemic in Washington state. Scroll down for older information.
As of Sunday, January 31, the Washington State Department of Health reports:
- 4,285 Covid-19 related deaths; 297,513 confirmed cases; 14,084 probable cases; and a 1.4% death rate among positive cases.
- 17,706 people have been hospitalized with Covid-19 in Washington state. According to the most recent data and NPR’s hospital capacity monitor: King County has 74% of hospital beds taken, with 8% occupied by Covid-19 patients; Pierce County has 90% of beds taken, with 15% occupied by Covid-19 patients; and Snohomish County has 77% of beds taken with 13% occupied by Covid-19 patients.
- Compared to white people and Asian people, the rate of Covid cases is nearly three times higher for Black people, and nearly seven times higher for Latino/x people and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders.
- So far, 616,589 Washingtonians have been vaccinated against Covid-19.
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 31
More than 10K vaccinated at Washington mass vaccination sites
2:45 p.m. — As of January 29, more than 10,000 people have been vaccinated at Washington’s mass vaccination sites.
The results come less than a week after the four sites were established.
Total vaccines per site, as of Jan. 29:
- 2,509 in Spokane
- 3,060 in Ridgefield
- 1,550 in Wenatchee
- 3,817 in Kennewick
The sites are operated by the National Guard and some private partners. Currently, only people included in Phase 1A or 1B tier 1 are being accepted at the sites.
— Dyer Oxley
Johnson & Johnson touting vaccine data success
Noon — A Johnson & Johnson representative says that their new Covid-19 vaccine will help combat the most severe cases of the illness, keeping people out of the hospital and decreasing death numbers.
“We showed that there was an 85% efficacy against severe disease and a complete protection against hospitalization and complete protection against death. And that’s across all the regions, including in South Africa,” Chief Scientific Officer at Johnson & Johnson Dr. Paul Stoffels told NPR.
The South Africa variant is among a handful of mutations that health officials are watching. Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine is 57% effective in preventing moderate to severe cases in South Africa, and 89% effective preventing severe illness.
The vaccine was tested across the United States, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru. Unlike the Pfizer and Modernda vaccines, Johnson & Johnson’s version is only one shot.
While Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine is less effective than the two other options in the US (about 72%), Dr. Anthony Fauci said that the results are “really encouraging.” He added that the emerging variants are concerning, but he is optimistic that current vaccines can be modified to counter them.
“We will have to be nimble to adjust and make vaccine against whatever mutant is prevalent at the present time,” he said.
Read more details here.
— Dyer Oxley
AstraZenica vaccine approved for EU
9 a.m. — The European Union has added a third option to it’s list of approves vaccines. The EU has already been using Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. AstraZenica’s vaccine has now been approved and is slated to deliver 400 million doses.
AstraZenica’s vaccine requires two doses and is reportedly 66% effective in protecting against the coronavirus.
Read more details here.
— Dyer Oxley
FRIDAY, JANUARY 29
Two new vaccination sites for people 75+ in King County
10 a.m. — Two new community vaccination sites are opening on February 1 in King County. The goal is to reach vulnerable older adults in south King County.
In Kent, the site will be located at the ShoWare Center. In Auburn, at the General Services Administration (GSA) Complex.
These sites will help, too, when the entire community is eligible for the vaccine.
—Isolde Raftery
