For the first time in a long while, perhaps ever, the Washington State Department of Health publicly and widely has admitted public immunity, as they refer to what most think of as "herd" immunity; is helping in the fight against COVID-19.

However, the DOH claimed Thursday in a new report it's not enough to offset what they call "risky behaviors."

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According to WSDOH:

  • "At the start of April, the best model-based estimate of overall population immunity was 26.8%. At that time, immunity from vaccination (about 15% of the population) was starting to surpass immunity from previous infection (about 11%). These estimates include the time it takes to develop immunity after completing vaccination. They also reflect the fact that vaccines are not 100% protective and a very small number of fully vaccinated people will still get COVID-19."

They also claim the estimated percentage of the population with active COVID-19 infections almost doubled between March 1 and April 1. Note the use of the word estimated. This is how DOH explained this:

"...This percentage is known as overall prevalence and the estimate includes identified cases as well as people who have COVID-19 but don’t have symptoms and may not have been tested. When prevalence is high, it means a lot of people may need health care or could be passing the virus to others."

They also claim case rates among those under 70 are increasing, and claim hospitalizations are rising as well.

The bottom line they claim?

Vaccinations are working but immunity isn't high enough to combat increasing disease levels. To read the report, click on the button below.

 

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