Tag Archives: Public Health – Seattle & King County

News

As Cases of Delta Variant Rise in King County and State, Mask Guidelines Revised

by Andrew Engelson

With the highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19 causing a rise in case counts and hospitalizations in both King County and Washington State among those who have not been vaccinated, local health authorities have revised masking guidelines.  

On Monday, July 26, health officials from eight Puget Sound counties issued a joint statement recommending that all residents in those counties (including King, Pierce, and Snohomish) should wear masks in indoor public spaces.

“We recommend all residents wear facial coverings when in indoor public settings where the vaccination status of those around you is unknown,” the statement reads. “This step will help reduce the risk of COVID-19 to the public, including customers and workers, help stem the increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in many parts of the state, and decrease the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant.”

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News

NEWS GLEAMS: South King County Vaccine Pop-Ups, Composting Classes, & More!

curated by Emerald Staff

A round-up of news and announcements we don’t want to get lost in the fast-churning news cycle! 

Photo by Marisol Benitez on Unsplash.

South King County COVID-19 Vaccine Pop-Up Schedule

If you haven’t yet been vaccinated for COVID-19, you can receive it free by contacting your doctor, or by visiting one of several south King County pop-up clinics run by Public Health – Seattle & King County:

Friday, July 9, 1:00–5:30 p.m.
Lutheran Community Services NW – Refugee, 12608 SE 240th St., Kent, (in partnership with Lutheran Community Services and Masjid Al-Quba)
Vaccine Offered: Pfizer

Monday, July 12, 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Multi-Service Center, 1200 S 336th St., Federal Way, (in partnership with Multi-Service Center / Medical Teams International)
Vaccine Offered: Moderna

Wednesday, July 14, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Multi-Service Center, UW Valley Medical Center, 515 W Harrison St. Kent.
Vaccine offered: Pfizer

For more information on getting a COVID-19 vaccine in King County visit, https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/vaccine/schedule.aspx or call 206-477-3977.

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News

As State Prepares to Reopen, Some Communities Still Have Lower Vaccination Rates

by Elizabeth Turnbull

After over a year of pushing through the pandemic, state and county health officials are hopeful about declining COVID-19 cases and hospitalization rates. But at the same time, significant pockets of Washington State and King County residents remain unvaccinated as restrictions are set to be lifted statewide next week.

“We still have people that have not been vaccinated, we still have people who are unprotected, and we still have people that are going to be at risk for COVID-19,” said Dr. Umair Shah, the Washington Secretary of Health at a press conference on Wednesday, June 23. “We want to make sure that that message of vaccination continues to be there.”

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Arts & Culture

King County Vax to the Max Program Uses Art and Music to Ease Vaccine Anxieties

by Chamidae Ford

Employees at Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC) were recently brainstorming about ways to increase vaccinations in the County while decreasing anxiety around the experience.

“The challenge was that it’s a very new event. It’s very scary. People don’t know what to expect, both for getting the vaccine but even going to these events themselves,” Karla Jimenez-Magdaleno, a communications specialist at PHSKC, said. “And I love music. I love events. I love feeling like there’s a party going on because I think that’s part of community building.” So the team decided to try to bring that energy to vaccination events.

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News

NEWS GLEAMS: SSC Vaccination Event, Fun Summer Workshops for Youth, & More!

curated by Emerald Staff

A round-up of news and announcements we don’t want to get lost in the fast-churning news cycle! 

Mayor Jenny Durkan announcing the vaccination site closures at the Rainier Beach location at Be’er Sheva Park. (Photo: Jack Russillo)

COVID-19 South Seattle College Vaccination Event, Seattle Vaccine Hub Updates, & King County Masking Directive

Community Vaccination Event at South Seattle College — From the host: “The Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, in collaboration with Fred Hutch and Public Health of Seattle & King County, will hold a COVID-19 Community Vaccination Event at South Seattle College’s Brockey Center on Thursday, June 3, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be offered at no cost to anyone 18 years and older.

“The vaccination event will be held on the South Seattle College’s Main Campus, located at 6000 16th Ave S.W., West Seattle, 98106. Visitors should enter campus at Entry 3 off 16th Ave S.W. and park in the South Parking Lot (parking is free). After parking, signs will direct visitors to the Jerry Brockey Center (JMB) for vaccination. Please view our campus map for more detail. 

“Participants are encouraged to schedule an appointment in advance at https://COVID19-vaccinessc.rsvpify.com/. Limited walk-up appointments will also be available. 

“Public Health Considerations: In alignment with State of Washington Higher Education guidance, please wear a face mask while on campus and maintain social distancing of six feet when possible. Seattle Cancer Care Alliance will perform a health screening with each individual before they are permitted to enter the Brockey Center for vaccination.”

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News

Washington Vaccinations Still Short of Public Health Goal

by Ashley Archibald

Roughly 60% of Washingtonians aged 16 and above have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. That’s progress — but still short of the 70% goal, health officials said at a press conference on May 26.

Vaccines are the “road to the future,” said Umair Shah, Washington State’s secretary of health.

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News

PHSKC Issues Health Directive for Everyone to Keep Masks On in Indoor Spaces

by Carolyn Bick

Stating in no uncertain terms that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s most recent masking recommendations are “uncoordinated and counterproductive,” Public Health — Seattle & King County Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin announced in a May 20 press conference a new local health directive for all King County residents. The directive — which is effective immediately, regardless of vaccination status — asks that everyone continue to wear a mask in public indoor spaces, such as grocery stores.

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News

Seattle and King County 12-15-Year-Olds Become Vaccine-Eligible

by Carolyn Bick

There was nothing but good news at the Public Health – Seattle & King County COVID-19 briefing on Wednesday, May 12.

Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC) Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin announced in the press conference that the data suggests that not only has the County started to “turn the corner” on its most recent surge of COVID-19 cases, but that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has officially approved the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer vaccine to be administered to young people aged 12-15.

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News

King County Still in Phase 3, South King County Remains Less Vaccinated

by Elizabeth Turnbull

Though COVID-19 disease activity remains high, and there are suggestions the pandemic curve might be starting to flatten, King County remains in Phase 3 of the Gov. Inslee’s reopening plan. And in South and Southeast King County there are concerns that certain communities of color have received the least vaccine coverage.

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News

NEWS GLEAMS: Vaccine Pop-Ups & Locations Info, Memorial Ride & Walk, SDOT Survey, More!

curated by Emerald Staff

A round-up of news and announcements we don’t want to get lost in the fast-churning news cycle! 

Mohammed Ahmed smiles as he receives his COVID-19 vaccine at an ICHS pop-up vaccine clinic at the Redmond Islamic Center on March 30, 2021. Photo courtesy of ICHS.

COVID-19 Vaccination Locations/Info & Pop-Ups

Appointments No Longer Required at Lumen Field, Rainier Beach, and West Seattle Vaccination Sites — Those who live or work in King County can now walk up or drive to three City of Seattle COVID-19 vaccination sites without an appointment. People who have not yet received a dose can now receive their first or second dose at three locations: Lumen Field, Rainier Beach, and West Seattle. At the time of vaccination, if required, patients will be signed up for an appointment for their second dose. 

According to the Mayor’s Office the locations and times of the centers are:

  • Lumen Field Event Center: 330 S Royal Brougham Way, Seattle, WA 98134; Wednesdays and Saturdays, 11:15 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.
  • Rainier Beach Vaccination Hub: 8702 Seward Park Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118; Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
  • West Seattle Vaccination Hub: 2801 SW Thistle St., Seattle, WA 98126; Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. On Wednesday, May 5, this hub will be open until 7:30 p.m.
Continue reading NEWS GLEAMS: Vaccine Pop-Ups & Locations Info, Memorial Ride & Walk, SDOT Survey, More! →