People arrive to receive the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine during the opening day of the Community Vaccination Site, a collaboration between the city of Seattle, First & Goal Inc., and Swedish Health Services at the Lumen Field Event Center in Seattle, Washington on 13 March, 2021. (Photo by Jason Redmond / AFP) (Photo by JASON REDMOND / AFP via Getty Images)
While cases are declining at long-term care facilities in King County, Dr. Jeff Duchin, public health officer for Seattle – King and County, says they are seeing increases elsewhere.
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Duchin explained in his weekly speech on Friday that there is an increase in cases in K-12 daycare centers and schools to less than 2% in January to 5% in the last three weeks.
“We have also seen eight outbreaks associated with youth sports leagues in the past eight weeks,” he said, adding that these teams reported taking precautions during games and training.
However, there have been risks and opportunities for transmission during travel to and from games, training and tournaments, and during community meals and socializing that take place before and after.
Duchin said they are also seeing outbreaks related to non-health workplaces.
“In the past eight weeks, there has been a 16% increase in outbreaks in non-health-related workplaces, and that includes manufacturing, retail, delivery, hospitality and other businesses,” he said.
Duchin said that almost 40% of cases reported having gone to work in the past month. That jumped 30% in January.
There was also an increase in cases associated with social and community events.
“Almost 30% of cases reported participation in events, family visits, group meals, parties and weddings during the exposure period,” said Duchin. “This is 10% above 20% in January.”
About 11% of reported cases went to bars and restaurants, an increase of 5% compared to January. Ten percent of cases reported visits to retail outlets, which is also a 5% increase in January.
Duchin said the number of cases associated with travel has doubled in the past four weeks – 4-6% in January to 8-11% today. This includes people returning from spring break travel.
Although traveling is not recommended, Duchin reminds people to take the test in advance, 3 to 5 days after their return, and to avoid other people for 7 days later. If you do not take the test, quarantine it for 10 days.
Duchin said he recalled that about 30% of cases do not report contact with someone who has COVID-19 intentionally, and up to 50% of cases spread before people report symptoms or know they are sick.
“It is important to remain vigilant and take precautions,” said Duchin.