News for the Week of January 17

News highlights for the week of January 17.

Latest Numbers. In Mercer Island, there have been 2,137 cases reported as of January 20. DOH reported a total of 997,703 cases as of January 19 and there have been 10,339 deaths with COVID in WA. For the latest city and county data, click here.

Get free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests. Washington State Program: The WA DOH has launched a statewide portal that will allow COVID-19 tests to ship directly to residents. Beginning January 21, WA residents can order rapid-antigen COVID tests online by visiting www.sayyescovidhometest.org to order up to 5 free tests per household which will be delivered at no cost. Federal Program: Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests from the Federal Government. The tests are free and orders typically ship in 7-12 days. Visit www.covidtests.gov for more info and to order tests.

Vaccine News

Increase in breakthrough cases related to current COVID-19 surge. Experts are seeing a 43% increase in the number of "vaccine breakthrough" cases statewide. Read the full news release.

COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough reports. Between January 17, 2021 – January 8, 2022, DOH officials have identified 162,307 vaccine breakthrough cases in the state. Of the cases that have data available, 969 people died. Unvaccinated 12-34 year-olds are just 2 times more likely to get COVID-19 and 5 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID compared with their fully vaccinated peers. In the 35-64 category, unvaccinated adults are 3 times more likely to get COVID-19 compared with fully vaccinated peers and 8 times more likely to be hospitalized. Adults 65+ are 4 times more likely to get COVID-19 compared with fully vaccinated peers and 7 times more likely to be hospitalized. Read the latest reports here and here.

King County Vaccine Data At-a-Glance. Page updated daily here.

Last Call…

UK Lifts Covid Restrictions. In global news this week, the UK government announced that it is lifting all pandemic-related restrictions including mask-wearing, vaccine passports, and the recommendation to work from home.

Situation Reports. The SitRep is issued monthly. Click here to catch up on the latest information.

News highlights now available bi-monthly. This news wrap-up has moved to twice a month. Look for these news highlights on the first and third Fridays of the month.