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Almost all new COVID cases in King Co. are from unvaccinated people, experts say


Majority of COVID-19 cases in King County are from unvaccinated people
Majority of COVID-19 cases in King County are from unvaccinated people
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KING COUNTY—King County Health Officials say an overwhelming majority of new Covid-19 cases are coming from unvaccinated people.

South King County in particular, is lagging in vaccination rates. It's also where Covid-19 cases have been the highest.

You can see the latest vaccination trends in King County here.

“We’re moving in the right direction but we’re not down as low as we need to be or would like to be,” said King County Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin.

It’s good news and bad news from King County’s top health official.

The good news: cases and hospitalizations are dramatically down since the peak of the 4th wave in late April.

The bad news: 97% of the new Covid-19 cases—are coming from unvaccinated people.

“Our outbreak is being felt primarily by the unvaccinated,” said Dr. Jeff Duchin. “97% or more of current cases are among unvaccinated people. That means if you’re unvaccinated your risk of COVID-19 is actually higher now that it was last Memorial Day.”

So far in King County, 63% of people 16 and older are fully vaccinated and 75% have started the process.

When 70% are fully vaccinated, Dr. Duchin will drop his mask directive for indoor public spaces.

KOMO News asked Dr. Duchin what it will take to keep closing the gap for those who are eligible but still haven’t received a vaccine, for whatever reason.

“It’s a very important question, it’s one our vaccination team thinks about constantly,” said Dr. Duchin.

King County is ramping up mobile and pop up vaccination efforts to meet people where they are—whether that’s at community centers, bars, work, or school.

And to continue to best serve South king County which has been particularly hard hit by Covid-19, King County is adjusting schedules at the Kent and Auburn high-volume sites.

The Auburn site will now be open Sunday to Wednesday, and the Kent Showare site will be open Wednesday through Saturday, so there will be 7 day a week coverage, plus two evenings per week.

That means the two high volume sites in Kent and Auburn will have 7 day a week coverage, so more families have access in the lagging South King County.

To register for an appointment click here.

“Getting vaccinated is clearly the most important way to keep us moving towards healthy lives and a healthy economy,” said Dr. Duchin. “Thanks to vaccination, we are in a much better place now as we head into summer as we had hoped for and I’m optimistic the burden of Covid-19 will continue to decrease in the coming months as more are vaccinated.”

Health experts say with the Memorial Day weekend coming up, keep activities outdoors and mask up if you’re traveling or gathering with crowds indoors.

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