Background Rural U.S. communities are at risk from COVID-19 due to advanced age and limited access to acute care. Recognizing this, the Vashon Medical Reserve Corps (VMRC) in King County, Washington, implemented an all-volunteer, community-based COVID-19 response program.  This program integrated public engagement, SARS-CoV-2 testing, contact tracing, vaccination, and material community support, and was associated with the lowest cumulative COVID-19 case rate in King County. This study aimed to investigate the contributions of demographics, geography and public health interventions to Vashon’s low COVID-19 rates. Methods This observational cross-sectional study compares cumulative COVID-19 rates and success of public health interventions from February 2020 through November 2021 for Vashon Island with King County (including metropolitan Seattle) and Whidbey Island, located ~50 km north of Vashon. To evaluate the role of demography, we developed multiple linear regression models of COVID-...

Updated weekly on Mondays The dashboard below shows the impacts of COVID-19 on communities of color compared to whites in King County, Washington.

Case investigation and contact tracing are essential strategies for limiting the spread of COVID-19, along with face coverings, social distancing, handwashing and testing. Public Health's Case Investigation and Contact Tracing Team calls King County residents who have recently tested positive for COVID-19 ("cases"). And they call people who were exposed to COVID-19 ("contacts"). The phone calls include an explanation of isolation and quarantine guidelines, how to get testing and support services, and collecting information that helps Public Health's infection control programs.

Updated daily between 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm Data are updated daily in the early afternoon and reflect laboratory results reported to the Washington State Department of Health as of midnight the day before. Data for previous dates will be updated as new results are entered, interviews are conducted, and data errors are corrected.

Many people test positive but do not require hospitalization. The counts of positive cases do not necessarily indicate levels of demand at local hospitals.

Reporting of test results to the Washington State Department of Health may be delayed by several days and will be updated when data are available. Only positive or negative test results are reflected in the counts and exclude tests where results are pending, inconclusive or were not performed.

Updated weekly on Thursdays Older adults and people with disabilities who live in long term care facilities are at high risk for COVID-19 illness and death. The data below describes the impacts of COVID-19 on the residents and staff of Long Term Care Facilities licensed by the State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), including Skilled Nursing Facilities (nursing homes); Adult Family Homes and Assisted Living Facilities. Cases and deaths are also occurring in other forms of senior housing not licensed by DSHS, including subsidized housing for people age 50+, Permanent Supportive Housing, and naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs) and among people with disabilities living in Supportive Living Facilities (also licensed by DSHS).

Case investigation and contact tracing on Vashon, South Whidbey and in King County.