With the launch of ForWArd—Washington’s long-term COVID-19 response plan—and the lifting of certain COVID-19 related mandates at the state and federal level, communities are evaluating what coexisting with COVID-19 looks like. Many tools are available to support the public in tracking COVID-19 and navigating life in the next season of the pandemic.
The Department of Health’s (DOH) COVID-19 Data Dashboard is a useful tool for accessing Washington state’s COVID-19 statistics at the county level, including disease spread, hospital capacity and vaccination rates. In addition to this dashboard, DOH offers a catalogue of COVID-19 information in a variety of languages. Consider exploring the COVID-19 landing page, available in 37 languages, where you can find current information about masking, vaccination, testing and treatment options.
The Centers for Disease Control also has a COVID-19 County Check tool designed to help individuals and communities protect themselves based on the risk of infection within a given county. This tool assesses the number of hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area. The page also offers recommendations for best practices in protecting yourself based on the risk level in your county.
As requirements, mandates and the presence of COVID-19 continues to evolve, the best way to protect yourself and your community remains staying up to date on your vaccinations and boosters and testing if you feel sick.