Data Snapshot
UW Medicine Hospitals:
King County: The county reported 450 new positive cases and 2 new deaths since Dec. 14.
Washington: The state reported 698,493 cases and 9,608 deaths as of Dec. 13.
United States: The CDC reports 50,052,008 cases and 796,010 deaths as of Dec. 14.
Global: WHO reports 270,031,622 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 5,310,502 deaths as of Dec. 14.
Numbers update frequently, please follow links for most up-to-date numbers.
UW Medicine COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Update
Total Vaccine Doses Administered: 483,049
As of Dec. 14, 2021.
UW Medicine in the News
GeekWire: Omicron rising rapidly in Washington state, early data suggest
Featuring: Pavitra Roychoudhury, MsC, PhD, and Larry Corey, MD, Laboratory Medicine; Helen Chu, MD, MPH, Allergy & Infectious Diseases
“Early data from the University of Washington suggest that the Omicron COVID-19 variant may already be spreading rapidly in Washington state. The data are from samples analyzed by a quick method, and will need to be confirmed. The data suggest that Omicron was present in 29 of 217 COVID-19 positive samples collected on Dec. 8 — about 13% of cases. Pavitra Roychoudhury, who coordinates variant testing efforts at the UW School of Medicine’s virology lab, released the data Monday in a tweet. The lab processes a large proportion of the state’s COVID-19 tests. The new samples were analyzed by a method called SGTF, and will next be confirmed by gold-standard genetic sequencing. ‘Confirmation by sequencing usually lags by a few days, but we expect the majority of these SGTFs to be Omicron,’ said Roychoudhury in her tweet. ‘If so, definitely seeing a rapid rise similar to reports from South Africa, UK, Denmark, etc.’ Roychoudhury noted that the Delta variant is still dominant, and that more data is needed. ‘Absolute numbers are still small so we need to watch and wait,’ she said in another tweet.”
The News Tribune: Here’s how COVID cases, hospitalizations trended in Pierce County in past week
Video Featuring: Janna Friedly, MD, Medicine and Rehabilitation Medicine
“Dr. Janna Friedly of UW Medicine’s Post COVID-19 Rehabilitation and Recovery Clinic at Harborview Medical Center says patients dealing with long COVID symptoms shouldn’t try and tough it out, instead seek help and take the time to rest and recover.”
KUOW: Are you wearing the right mask? It comes down to fit and layers
Featuring: Chloe Bryson-Cahn, MD, Allergy and Infectious Diseases
“Fit is key. If a mask doesn’t fit well, it can allow droplets to leak in or out. Look for masks that have nose wires to allow for a tight fit over your nose. A snug fit on the face is also desired. Big gaps on the sides of a mask near your cheeks indicate poor fit. The mask should also be able to stay in place, covering both the nose and mouth. If your mask is being pulled below your nose when you talk, that’s a problem. ‘The best mask is actually the one that you’ll wear, and you’ll wear correctly,’ said Dr. Chloe Bryson-Cahn, associate medical director for infection prevention and control at Harborview Medical Center. ‘Make sure when you’re picking your mask, it’s going to stay up over your nose and cover your mouth as well.’ The number of fabric layers in a mask is also important for good protection. Ply = layer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends two or more layers. Multiple layers help reduce the risk of droplets getting through the fabric. ‘You don’t want to be able to see sunshine through your mask,’ said Bryson-Cahn.”
Tweet of the Week
The holiday season is in full swing and many people are excited to spend time with family for the first time in more than 18 months. #COVID19, however, is still a cause for concern.
Learn more about how to stay safe from Right as Rain. #holidays #travelhttps://t.co/MeNrQ1Flo1
— UW Medicine (@UWMedicine) December 14, 2021
