The following is a summary of the presentation during the Public Health briefings at this week’s Board of County Commissioners meeting made by Jefferson and Clallam County Public Health Officer Dr. Allison Berry. The summary below was provided by and used with the permission of Jefferson County Government. Also Willie Bence, Director of Emergency Management, gave a report.

COVID-19 case rates remain high in Jefferson County, according to County Health Officer Dr. Allison Berry, but they seem to be plateauing. She told Commissioners today we have an 18% positivity rate, with a case rate of 823/100,000. There has been no surge in hospitalizations. “It’s interesting that we are seeing very, somewhat different patterns than what we’re seeing in the rest of the country,” she said. “Much of the rest of the country has experienced a surge in hospitalizations. The Northeast, the South and Midwest were really hit hard by a surge in hospitalizations. But in Jefferson and Clallam Counties, we really have not seen that. And that is most likely due to the very high rates of vaccination we have in our communities.” Dr. Berry said she’s hopeful that “we are moving truly into a more endemic phase of this virus. Now variants can always throw a wrench in those plans. But so far, we are moving into a more hopeful direction.” She recommends that everyone continue to wear masks in indoor settings.

Submit your Public Health questions to Dr. Allison Berry and to Willie Bence by emailing [email protected]. Note: The weekly deadline for these to be submitted is on Fridays at noon, to be answered at the following Monday’s BOCC meeting.