With the state pausing the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, local vaccine providers are offering alternatives.
Coronavirus
Skagit Regional Health’s COVID-19 testing clinic will close April 19.
The state has paused using the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine while U.S. health officials investigate reports of potentially dangerous blood clots.
After the state’s first evaluation under a new COVID-19 reopening plan, Skagit County will remain in Phase 3.
Baby showers, camping trips, high school sports, get-togethers for church, indoor gatherings —all are recent sources of local COVID-19 outbreaks.
Skagit County’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues to exceed state averages amid a concerning increase in new cases.
If the rate of COVID-19 infections continues to climb, Skagit County might fail to meet metrics to remain in Phase 3 of the Roadmap to Recovery plan.
With COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations increasing, public health officials worry Snohomish County could move back into Phase 2.
Skagit County’s largest COVID-19 vaccine providers are preparing for expanded eligibility.
OLYMPIA (AP) — Washington state is opening up COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to all residents age 16 and older starting on April 15, Gov. Jay Inslee announced Wednesday.
The state Department of Health is investigating reports of people in the state, including four in Skagit County, who tested positive for COVID-19 more than two weeks after they were fully vaccinated.
About 2 million more Washingtonians will become eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine today as health officials warn of a potential increase in cases.
Progress continues to be made in the effort to vaccinate Skagit County residents against COVID-19, with county Public Health staff aiming to reduce barriers encountered by vulnerable populations.
Skagit County is continuing its progress in dealing with COVID-19, outpacing state averages in vaccinations and keeping the infection rate low amid the reopening of schools and businesses.
State officials confirmed that everyone 16 and older in Washington can get in line for a COVID-19 vaccine by May 1. Meanwhile, local COVID-19 transmission rates increased slightly, with youth sports a cause, officials said.
Skagit County exceeds the state average for percentage of the population vaccinated for COVID-19, with more than a quarter of its residents successfully starting the process.
Island Hospital and Skagit County Public Health report lighter demand for COVID-19 vaccine in the past week, but expect that will change on March 31, when more people become eligible under state guidelines.
About 2 million more Washington residents will be eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine starting March 31.
Before “canceled” began popping up across the Samish Indian Nation’s online events calendar in response to the threat of COVID-19 in early 2020, tribe General Manager Leslie Eastwood never envisioned teaching weaving or the tribe’s native language over video conferencing.
Island Hospital received 800 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, making it the second week in a row the hospital received an allotment after four weeks without any.“We’re very thankful to all those who have advocated for us,” Charles Hall, Island Hospital CEO, told the American on Monday.…
Larger COVID-19 vaccine shipments and the fact that many of those who are eligible have already received vaccinations mean there are more appointments available through Skagit County providers.
A few days before the Mount Vernon School Board was to meet on March 18, 2020, it had seemed as if it would be a normal board meeting.
Skagit County’s COVID-19 testing site closed Friday after nearly 11 months of testing.
OLYMPIA (AP) — The Seattle Mariners, Seattle Sounders and OL Reign will soon be able to welcome a limited number of fans to the stadium when they open their seasons, as the state prepares to move into a third phase of a COVID-19 economic reopening plan announced Thursday by Washington Gov. J…
One year after the first case of COVID-19 was detected in Skagit County, prompting safety measures never before seen, vaccines are arriving, albeit slowly, showing a glimpse of hope toward easing the pandemic’s hold on the world.
A year ago it became official: COVID-19 had reached Skagit County.
More doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are making their way to Skagit County, and Skagit Regional Health is working to distribute them.
Island Hospital in Anacortes is expecting 800 doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine next week after four consecutive weeks of receiving no vaccine allotment.
Skagit County Public Health is expecting its largest COVID-19 vaccine allotment yet next week.
The list of Washingtonians eligible for COVID vaccines will expand later this month to include law enforcement, public transit, grocery workers and other workers in certain congregate settings.
The B.1.1.7 variant of COVID-19, also known as the United Kingdom variant, has been found in Skagit County, county public health announced today.
Island Hospital was denied any first doses of vaccine for the fourth week in a row, even as Skagit County Public Health received 600 first doses and Skagit Regional Health received a combination of 2,340 first and second doses in allotments from the state.
Skagit County could receive about $25 million in federal COVID-19 relief, and county leaders are beginning to discuss priorities for that funding.
For the second consecutive week, Skagit County Public Health registered 600 people on Saturday for their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
The state’s regions will remain in Phase 2 and not revert back to more restrictive COVID-19 requirements, Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday.
Skagit Gleaners is offering free assistance to those who wish to sign up for COVID-19 vaccine appointments.
First doses of COVID-19 vaccine are again scant through Skagit County this week, with the winter storms across the nation partly to blame.
Changing COVID-19 metrics have prompted PeaceHealth United General Medical Center in Sedro-Woolley to update its policy regarding visitors.
Virus transmission decreased for the sixth consecutive week in Snohomish County, but health officials warn that there’s still a long way to go.
Skagit County Public Health registered 600 people for COVID-19 vaccination appointments this week in anticipation of a delivery after going three weeks with no new first doses.
The state has again skipped Skagit County, Island Hospital and Skagit Regional Health in its allotment of COVID-19 first-dose vaccine this week, making it two straight weeks that requests have gone unfilled. All three did receive a second dose supply to ensure those got the first will get th…
Virus transmission ticked downward for the fifth straight week in Snohomish County.
As the COVID-19 pandemic has rolled on, Skagit County's testing and vaccination site has seen changes.
Skagit Regional Health won’t be able to vaccinate any new patients next week after announcing Friday that it has been allocated no new first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
For the third consecutive week, Skagit County’s COVID-19 vaccine clinic will receive no new first doses of the vaccine, as federal deliveries continue to fall short of demand throughout the state.
* This story was updated at 8 a.m. Friday to reflect that Phase 2 begins for Skagit County on Sunday
Skagit County is experiencing a trend of fewer new COVID-19 cases, moving it closer to the next phase of the state’s reopening plan.
Frustrations surrounding inconsistent vaccine availability remains the largest hurdle to getting needles in arms.
Virus transmission fell for the fourth straight week in Snohomish County.
Island County officials last week joined a growing chorus of leaders around the state wondering why their communities are stuck in Phase 1 despite improving COVID-19 health metrics.
Skagit County is experiencing a trend of fewer new COVID-19 cases, moving it closer to the next phase of the state’s reopening plan.
Frustrations surrounding inconsistent vaccine availability remains the largest hurdle to getting needles in arms.
Virus transmission fell for the fourth straight week in Snohomish County.
Island County officials last week joined a growing chorus of leaders around the state wondering why their communities are stuck in Phase 1 despite improving COVID-19 health metrics.
As many eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine wait to get an appointment, Skagit County Public Health and other health care providers are encountering small, inconsistent shipments of doses.
Skagit County Public Health will receive no doses next week of the COVID-19 vaccine for those hoping to get their first shot of the two-shot series.
About 100 employees of the La Conner School District received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine Wednesday, thanks to the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community.
Vaccine supply remains the largest hurdle in getting needles in arms. Last week, Snohomish County received about 15,000 doses — 9,000 for first shots and 6,000 for second ones. However, the county’s 93 vaccine providers are capable of administering more than 50,000 doses a week.
Numbered chairs for the precautionary 15 minute waiting period after receiving a dose are set up in Island Hospital's COVID-19 vaccination clinic.
Island Hospital announced Monday that it received 100 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in its allotment for this week, 300 fewer than it had requested from the state.
SEDRO-WOOLLEY — Members of the National Guard will stay at Helping Hands Solution Center through June 30 after the food bank was granted an extension.
About 100 people were able to sign up Saturday for vaccine appointments this week through Skagit County Public Health.
Virus transmission plunged for the third consecutive week in Snohomish County, signalling that the region is heading in the right direction, health officials said.
COVID-19 vaccination appointments available through Skagit County Public Health filled up quickly Saturday morning.
Skagit County Public Health began taking appointments again for COVID-19 vaccinations on Saturday morning.
Pictured is a vial of the Moderna COVID-19 at the vaccination clinic in Island Hospital.
SEDRO-WOOLLEY — PeaceHealth United General Medical Center and its associated clinics have vaccinated about 60% of its employees against COVID-19, a PeaceHealth official said Friday — as well as more than 400 patients and other health care workers in the area.
Skagit County delayed an update on the availability of COVID-19 vaccination appointments until 9 a.m. Saturday, according to its website.
Skagit County will remain in Phase 1 of the state’s new COVID-19 recovery plan until at least Feb. 15, as it again meets only two of the four metrics.
A drive-thru mass vaccination site opened Friday at the Arlington Municipal Airport, likely the closest a large clinic will get to Stanwood.
Stanwood, as part of the Puget Sound Region, can advance to Phase 2 of the state’s economic reopening plan, which allows limited indoor dining among other loosening of COVID-19 restrictions, Gov. Jay Inslee said Thursday.
New COVID-19 vaccination appointments with Skagit Regional Health are on hold and it’s unclear when they will begin again, as the health care provider continues to await stability in its vaccine delivery.
Jennifer Flax sprung out of the chair wearing a giant smile. “I feel so relieved,” she exclaimed moments after receiving the first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine Friday at Stanwood Community & Senior Center.
On the first day Skagit County Public Health offered the COVID-19 vaccine to the general public Tuesday, 244 received their first dose.
Virus transmission dropped last week in Snohomish County and officials renewed calls to help push the infection rate even lower.
Skagit County Public Health is implementing several improvements to its COVID-19 vaccine scheduling process after facing staggering demand in the first week of its rollout.
Skagit County and its neighbors are still meeting only two of four metrics needed to advance in the state’s COVID-19 recovery plan, according to state data.
Island Hospital’s first public vaccine clinics scheduled for next week filled up only 22 minutes after going live at noon Wednesday, Jan. 20.
Skagit County's phone service was intermittent for several hours Wednesday after being overloaded with calls from those seeking appointments to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
UPDATE: All vaccine appointments at the hospital are full.
Island Hospital's vaccine clinic is in a conference room in the lower level near the main entrance. Those receiving the vaccine will need to be screened for symptoms before entering the building.
The Rockfish Grill is one of many restaurants in Anacortes that now offer outdoor dining in alignment with the state's COVID-19 safety measures.
Anacortesans will now be back to pumping iron and breaking a sweat in their local fitness centers – with stipulations. Thrive Community Fitness, Soar Fitness and the gym at Fidalgo Pool & Fitness Center can now be partially open with Gov. Jay Inslee’s new COVID-19 safe reopening phase sy…
Virus transmission dropped last week in Snohomish County but still remains high — and officials said the downward trend is likely temporary.
Eligible members of the public can now schedule COVID-19 vaccinations at several locations in and near Skagit County.
Skyrocketing cases of COVID-19 in Whatcom County have impacted the region’s progress toward advancing in the state’s recovery plan, according to a state report.
Skagit County Public Health expects to receive 1,000 more doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine soon, its first significant shipment of vaccine in several weeks.
MOUNT VERNON — The Haggen Pharmacy in Mount Vernon will offer COVID-19 vaccinations this weekend to those eligible under Phase 1A of the state’s vaccination schedule.
SEDRO-WOOLLEY — Country Meadow Village hasn’t had a case of COVID-19 among its residents.
Those over 70 years old will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Skagit County on Jan. 26, as the county announced plans Thursday to move into Phase 1b.
The Skagit County Board of Health canceled plans Thursday to consider civil penalties for violating county health orders, including those related to COVID-19, as the Public Health department shifts its focus to vaccinations.
Skagit County Public Health received no new doses of the COVID-19 vaccine this week from the state.
The COVID-19 vaccine is here, but neither Island Hospital nor all of Skagit County have yet received what they expected or need to advance in the distribution phases laid out by the state Department of Health.
Virus transmission is back on the upswing in Snohomish County after a single-day record of new infections last week.
More and more of the COVID-19 vaccines are making their way into the arms of Stanwood-Camano residents.
School nursing staff were invited Thursday to get their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
MOUNT VERNON — Amid reports nationwide of overburdened intensive care units, the number of COVID-19 patients at Skagit Valley Hospital appears to be under control.
Public health leaders in Skagit County had varied reactions Wednesday to Gov. Jay Inslee’s new plan to reopen the state’s economy.
Skagit County has received fewer does of the COVID-19 vaccine than neighboring counties, and local officials have not been given an explanation.
Gov. Jay Inslee announced a new reopening plan Tuesday, putting more emphasis on improving data in a region. However, the new plan still splits Stanwood and Camano Island into different regions.
The COVID-19 infection rate ticked up in Snohomish County last week. Meanwhile, vaccine distribution is ramping up.
In the first few months of 2020, Skagit County residents watched the novel coronavirus inflict a brutal toll on countries throughout the world.
SEDRO-WOOLLEY — A conference room at PeaceHealth United General Medical Center served as a vaccine clinic Thursday morning, with such carefully chosen details as tape on the floor to encourage social distancing and Looney Tunes characters on the adhesive bandages.
Skagit County expects to receive 500 more doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine next Monday.
The COVID-19 infection rate is trending downward in Snohomish County, but officials warn there’s still a long way to go on the road to recovery.
The Skagit County Board of Health will hold a public hearing next month on a proposal to establish civil fines for violations of safety orders issued by the county health officer, including those related to COVID-19.
The newly-approved Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is headed to Skagit County.
MOUNT VERNON — More than 100 area health care workers received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine Monday.
The COVID-19 infection rate dropped in the Stanwood area during the first two weeks of December — the first decline since summer.
Skagit County received its first doses Thursday of the first approved COVID-19 vaccine.
As COVID-19 vaccine begins to roll out across the country, local health officials are urging people to maintain their efforts to fight the virus as inoculation will take months.
ANACORTES — Northwest Educational Service District 189 is preparing to distribute thousands of items of personal protective equipment to local school districts.
The first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine have arrived in the state, and should be administered this week.
Dozens of food boxes were distributed Friday to Latino and indigenous Latino families in Skagit County as part of a project supporting food access and area farmers.
A total of 54 residents and staff have tested positive for COVID-19 at two long-term care facilities in Burlington and Anacortes.
Stanwood-Camano School District announced Thursday afternoon it will suspend in-person learning during the first two weeks in January after winter break.
Skagit County’s drive-thru COVID-19 testing site is now funded through January, but its long-term future is at risk without further government assistance.
About a month after fresh statewide restrictions were put in place, the coronavirus continues to spread rapidly, steadily filling hospitals.
With several COVID-19 vaccines working their way through the regulatory process, local authorities are creating plans for distribution.
This story was updated Saturday afternoon.
Severe cases of COVID-19 are placing additional strain on Skagit County hospitals, but health care leaders say their facilities have the capacity to care for an even greater surge in patients.
The number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 are rising in Skagit County, with 36 people hospitalized in November, the highest number since the virus was found in Skagit County.
With November over, it's clear Skagit County experienced its worst month yet of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The coronavirus continues to spread rapidly throughout the region, and health officials are increasingly preparing for a surge in hospitalizations.
Stanwood businesses are eligible for Round 2 of grant money to help weather the COVID-19 pandemic.
The vast majority of Skagit County businesses are complying with emergency rules to curb the spread of COVID-19. A few have been cited and fined for violations.
A Washington State University survey has found that 30% of households in the state have experienced food insecurity since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March.
While state policies to curb the spread of COVID-19 have created hardships, data analysis conducted at Western Washington University shows they make a difference.
The increased rate in new COVID-19 cases in Skagit County and statewide has prompted Skagit Regional Health to activate its plan to deal with more patients.
The COVID-19 outbreak at Josephine Caring Community has grown to at least 142 cases and caused 10 deaths, the Snohomish Health District announced Monday evening. The outbreak has now sent 11 others to the hospital.
The coronavirus is now widespread throughout the region, particularly in the Stanwood area, according to Snohomish Health District data updated Monday.
As a new shutdown hurts businesses and workers, much of the financial assistance that helped them earlier in the year has been depleted or is expiring at year’s end.
For Linda Allen of Mount Vernon, Thanksgiving means seeing her six grandchildren, baking with her three daughters, and cooking two turkeys — one in the oven, and one smoked outside on the grill.
Skagit County is seeing a rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations as new cases continue their record-breaking climb.
The COVID-19 outbreak at Josephine Caring Community has grown to 141 cases and caused nine deaths, the Snohomish Health District announced Friday afternoon. The outbreak has sent seven others people to the hospital.
ANACORTES — Because of increasing COVID-19 cases, the Anacortes School District is pulling back on in-person learning.
With COVID-19 cases rising throughout the county, Skagit County Superior Court has suspended some of its operations, including trials.
MOUNT VERNON — Staff at Skagit County’s COVID-19 testing site ran tests on 250 people Wednesday, the first day since the site was moved to the Skagit County Fairgrounds.
With new cases of COVID-19 continuing to climb in Skagit County, county Public Health has needed to contract with the state to help with contact tracing.
Amid a record spike in new COVID-19 cases, staff at the Helping Hands Solutions Center are bracing for a difficult winter.
Stanwood-Camano fourth- and fifth-graders won’t return to their classroom in 2020.
As COVID-19 cases marched to record highs, Gov. Jay Inslee instituted new restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the virus.
In an update Tuesday morning, health officials said at least 99 COVID-19 cases have been detected at Josephine Caring Community in the past several days. The outbreak has sent seven to the hospital where five have died.
Skagit County residents seeking COVID-19 tests overloaded clinics Monday after the county’s drive-thru testing site closed temporarily to relocate.
As the spread of COVID-19 reaches an all-time high in Skagit County, county hospitals are preparing for a likely surge in severe cases.
There have been at least 94 new COVID-19 cases at Josephine Caring Community in the past several days.
An update on the COVID-19 pandemic from Gov. Jay Inslee will be streamed live at 5:30 p.m.
With COVID-19 cases rising in counties throughout the state — including Skagit — state health officials urged the public Tuesday to follow health guidelines before COVID-19 deaths rise and hospitals are overwhelmed with patients.
Powered by a series of single-day record numbers of confirmed cases reported last week, the infection rate marched higher for the seventh straight week, according to data released Monday.
Powered by a series of single-day record numbers of confirmed cases reported last week, the infection rate marched higher for the seventh straight week, according to data released Monday.
The COVID-19 infection rate ticked up in Snohomish County last week. Meanwhile, vaccine distribution is ramping up.
In the first few months of 2020, Skagit County residents watched the novel coronavirus inflict a brutal toll on countries throughout the world.
SEDRO-WOOLLEY — A conference room at PeaceHealth United General Medical Center served as a vaccine clinic Thursday morning, with such carefully chosen details as tape on the floor to encourage social distancing and Looney Tunes characters on the adhesive bandages.
Skagit County expects to receive 500 more doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine next Monday.
The COVID-19 infection rate is trending downward in Snohomish County, but officials warn there’s still a long way to go on the road to recovery.
The Skagit County Board of Health will hold a public hearing next month on a proposal to establish civil fines for violations of safety orders issued by the county health officer, including those related to COVID-19.
The newly-approved Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is headed to Skagit County.
MOUNT VERNON — More than 100 area health care workers received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine Monday.