State health officials focus on 2nd COVID-19 doses

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state health officials said Friday the state will focus on administering second COVID-19 vaccine doses this week.

Because of that, appointments to get a first dose will be limited.

The Department of Health says providers requested about 170,000 second doses the week, a significantly higher number than the state’s allocation of 92 thousand second doses.

This as the 7-day rate of new first time infections continues to slow in Whatcom County.

For the week ending Friday, the state showed a total of 245 positives; down from 334 for the week prior, a 36% drop.

Over the past week, 3 persons have been hospitalized for COVID-19 in Whatcom County, an 80% lower admission rate compared to the week prior.

The state reported ICU availability was at 47% as of February 6th, for the North Region.