New case rates of COVID-19 are accelerating rapidly nationwide. A new Omicron variant of COVID-19 is a contributing factor: this variant is thought to spread faster than others.
Testing & Vaccine Updates
VACCINE LOCATIONS: COVID-19 vaccines are widely available. No documentation or insurance is required at most clinics. Children 5-11 are eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine, and anyone 12+ may receive the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Everyone 16+ is eligible for booster shots once 6 months have passed since completing initial vaccination sequence.
- Towne Center Vaccine Clinic
10330 59th Avenue Southwest Suite B,
Lakewood, WA - Find more locations here
TESTING LOCATIONS: The COVID-19 testing center at the former emissions testing location is seeing higher-than-expected traffic due to surging COVID-19 activity. Longer wait times should be expected. Do not block local businesses as you queue.
- Former emissions testing station
3003 107th St S, Lakewood, WA - Rite Aide
5700 100th St SW, Lakewood, WA - Walgreens
8224 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, WA - Find more locations here
Recent COVID-19 News & Updates
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
- CDC Updates and Shortens Recommended Isolation and Quarantine Period
- The CDC has shortened the recommended time for isolation for people with COVID-19 to 5 days, if asymptomatic, followed by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others.
- CDC Expands COVID-19 Booster Recommendations to 16-and-17-year-olds
- The CDC strongly encourages adolescents ages 16 and 17 to get their booster once 6 months have passed since completing the initial vaccination series.
Washington State Department of Health (DOH)
- New COVID-19 guidance released after outbreak linked to wrestling tournament
- DOH warns that a single tournament led to over 200 confirmed cases of COVID-19. DOH will require more frequent testing of participants and stricter enforcement of masking.
- COVID-19 boosters now recommended for everyone 16 and older
- Everyone 16 and older is recommended to get a booster dose six months after receiving the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, or two months after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
- Pfizer, Moderna vaccines now recommended over Johnson & Johnson
- DOH recommends that people 18 and older choose an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) instead of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine
- WA Notify adds new feature: Exposure notifications for at-home COVID-19 test results
- Those who test positive for COVID-19 with an at-home test may anonymously notify others of a potential exposure.
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department
- COVID-19 Vaccines: Year in Review
- Early studies show vaccines help prevent hospitalizations in those infected with the Omicron variant, particularly those who have received a booster dose.
- “Patients are begging for help because they can’t breathe.”
- “I have many patients who have come in and by the time they reach the ICU they ask for the vaccine,” Respiratory therapist Liz Lewis says. “At that point it’s too late.”
- New breakthrough data shows just how well vaccines work in Pierce County.
- Vaccinated Pierce County residents are:
- 3 times less likely to be infected with COVID-19.
- 9 times less likely to be hospitalized.
- 8 times less likely to die.
- Vaccinated Pierce County residents are: