By Pepper Fisher
PORT ANGELES – At Friday morning’s weekly Covid briefing, County Health Officer Dr. Allison Berry spoke primarily about the concerning spike in cases we’re seeing in Clallam County.
She said about 50% of the more than 60 recent cases here have been driven by the variant known as B1-1-7, which she says reflects a statewide trend right now. Other parts of the state are also seeing the so-called California variant. Both variants spread much more easily and can make you sicker than the original Covid-19 virus.
Dr. Berry says many of those contracting the virus here are younger people in the teens and 20s age groups, and recent cases are tracing back to restaurants and bars, an indoor basketball game with out-of-towners, a dental clinic, and various social gatherings.
Dr. Berry says where we go from here depends on how many of us take advantage of upcoming vaccination events and follow safe protocols.
This weekend’s vaccination events in Port Angeles were almost fully booked as of mid-day Friday, but next weekend will be open to everybody 18-or older, with registration beginning on Monday at 9:00am. Next Saturday will be a Moderna day, and Sunday will be the one-dose Johnson and Johnson.
The following weekend, the 24th and 25th, will have the Pfizer vaccine for people 16-and-older, and sign-ups for that weekend also begin this coming Monday morning.
In addition to all of those events in Port Angeles, the Jamestown Clinic will host one-dose Johnson and Johnson events on the 20th and 22nd.