Registered nurse Estella Wilmarth tends to a patient in the acute care unit of Harborview Medical Center on Jan. 14 in Seattle. In Snohomish County, weekly COVID-19 case counts decreased dramatically in late January, (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, file)

Registered nurse Estella Wilmarth tends to a patient in the acute care unit of Harborview Medical Center on Jan. 14 in Seattle. In Snohomish County, weekly COVID-19 case counts decreased dramatically in late January, (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, file)

Past the omicron peak? Snohomish County’s COVID cases declining

Hospitalizations are still a concern, however, and infections in Eastern Washington and Idaho could have ripple effects here.

EVERETT — Snohomish County’s weekly COVID-19 case counts have decreased dramatically in late January, officials reported Tuesday.

Last week, 7,801 new cases were tallied. That’s compared to the previous week’s more than 14,000 cases, according to updated data.

The county’s two-week case rate also decreased for the first time since the omicron variant began fueling the most recent surge in infections. That rate is now at 2,636 per 100,000.

The local health district also reported 192 patients were in the hospital with COVID-19, with 27 ventilated. Three deaths had been reported since Monday.

Decreasing case rates align with local public health officials’ expectations that Snohomish County had moved past peak infections.

Hospitalizations are still higher than they were in previous peaks. On Tuesday, Dr. George Diaz, Division Chief of Medicine at Providence’s Everett hospital, said increasing hospitalizations in Eastern Washington and Idaho could ultimately impact Western Washington.

Some hospitals are at 150% capacity, said Taya Briley, executive vice president of the Washington State Hospital Association. And last week, the Washington Medical Coordination Center triggered a “guaranteed acceptance protocol.”

“The protocol goes into effect when all hospitals are full to the point of needing to refuse patients,” she said. “It’s a commitment of our large hospitals and health systems that no patient who’s in dire need of care will go without it.”

The protocol ended after about three days, Briley said, and helped place two patients who otherwise wouldn’t have gotten care.

This week three public health districts in Idaho activated crisis standards of care, a change in hospital operations that the state Department of Health and Welfare describes as “a last resort” to prioritize saving as many lives as possible, when demand outstrips hospital resources.

“We know from prior experience that their hospitals get overwhelmed and patients come and ultimately end up in Western Washington,” Diaz said. “So that’s highly concerning.”

While a Washington National Guard team is assisting the Everett hospital, Diaz said they’re largely doing non-clinical tasks, like transferring patients and performing face mask fit tests.

“In terms of staffing or where we really need help, which is nursing and (certified nursing assistants),” Diaz said, “it’s not having a huge impact in that regard.”

Claudia Yaw: 425-339-3449; claudia.yaw@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @yawclaudia.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Everett
Judge sentences man, 73, for intending to have sex with ‘teen’ in Everett

The Arizona man sent explicit images to an agent posing as a 13-year-old. Investigators found images of child sexual abuse on his phone.

State’s draft of climate action plan open for public comment

Residents can submit public comments or climate-related stories online through Aug. 22.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

The Edmonds School Board discusses budget cuts during a school board meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds school board approves 2025-26 budget

After facing an estimated $8.5 million shortfall earlier in the year, the board passed a balanced budget Tuesday.

A wall diagram shows the “journey of the ballot” at the new Elections Center on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County Auditor: No need for feds to meddle with state or local elections

Garth Fell’s comments were in response to a report of Justice Department mulling criminal charges against election officials.

Edmonds Police Chief Loi Dawkins speaks after the city council approved her appointment on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds City Council confirms new police chief

Assistant Chief Loi Dawkins will begin in the role Aug. 1. She has more than 23 years of law enforcement experience, including three years in Edmonds.

The Edmonds City Council discuss the levy during a city council meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds votes to place levy lid lift on the ballot

By a vote of 5-2, the council decided to put the $14.5 million property tax levy lid lift to voters in November.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.