More good news: COVID infection rate continues to decline

EVERETT — New COVID infections in Snohomish County are continuing to drop from highs reached in mid-July, according to the Snohomish Health District weekly virus report.

The latest count shows about 60 new coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents over 14 days. A month ago, that number was about 100. Local leaders say masks, small social circles and contact tracing are causing the decrease.

“We’ve got two to three weeks of sustained improvements and that’s encouraging news,” Dr. Chris Spitters, the county’s top health officer, told reporters Tuesday morning. “We certainly want it to continue and that largely means not letting up on the good efforts of late.”

This week’s report also shows fewer hospitalizations due to the virus and cases among older age groups are either decreasing or leveling off.

“It’s still young people leading the charge in new cases,” Spitters said.

To avoid contracting or spreading the virus, wear a mask and keep your social circle to five people outside your household, he added.

The surge in COVID cases started in June, when the county entered Phase 2 of the governor’s Safe Start plan. Health experts say the spike was fueled by people not wearing masks or social distancing at large parties or even in smaller gatherings.

With the current case count, Snohomish County is now in the moderate-risk category for school reopenings, per the state’s metrics.

Schools in moderate-risk counties should consider in-person learning for elementary-aged students and those with special needs, according to the state’s recommendation.

But there’s still “quite a ways to go” before Snohomish County students should go back for in-person classes, Spitters said.

Earlier this month, a state Department of Health study said it’s safest to wait until there are 25 or fewer infections per 100,000 people over two weeks. And districts should start with elementary students on hybrid schedules, and then phase in other groups.

It’ll be a while before Snohomish County is in the low risk category, Spitters said.

As the COVID situation improves across the county, flu season and colder weather are looming. But social distancing and wearing a mask may make it difficult for influenza to take root this year, Spitters said.

“Let’s keep doing what we’re doing for COVID-19 and let’s get our flu shots,” he said. “What we don’t want is filling up hospitals with flu patients and COVID patients, running out of room and supplies.”

It’s best to get your flu shot before October, he added.

Meanwhile, the health district’s contact tracing effort is continuing to improve.

Over the last two weeks, tracers have been reaching about 70% of cases within 24 hours of a positive test result, according to the report.

This allows those infected with the virus to isolate and tell anyone they’ve exposed to stay home and seek testing.

“In addition to the community’s efforts, that is starting to have an impact on bending that curve, as well,” Spitters said.

In recent months, that number was as low as 30%.

To enter Phase 2 of the governor’s Safe Start plan, the benchmark for contact tracing was to reach 80% of new cases within 24 hours of testing positive.

Joey Thompson: 425-339-3449; jthompson@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @byjoeythompson.