By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
COVID-19-related emergency room visits in King County remain below the alert threshold, according to Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC). Health officials use the percentage of emergency department visits diagnosed with respiratory viruses as a key indicator of community transmission levels. While the numbers are currently stable, data from the department show a rise in cases since March 2025, with the largest increase recorded in August. Notably, emergency visits among children ages 0–4 have also increased.
Public Health Officer Dr. Sandra Valenciano urged residents to remain vigilant, especially as the country experiences shifts in vaccine policy and availability.
“This has been an unusual year in terms of what’s going on right now with vaccines, especially related to COVID-19 vaccine,” said Valenciano. “I think it’s important that we talk about COVID-19 but also talk about other respiratory illnesses like influenza and RSV.”
Public health officials emphasize that COVID-19 remains a risk—especially for adults aged 65 and older, young children, and individuals with underlying health conditions. Despite a quieter public narrative around the virus, it has not disappeared.
PHSKC and the Washington State Department of Health are continuing their efforts to make vaccines accessible and promote science-based information. Valenciano encouraged anyone 6 months and older to receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine and noted that the state health officer has issued a standing order to ensure widespread access.
“In partnership with the Washington Department of Public Health, we’re recommending that anyone 6 months of age and older gets their updated COVID-19 vaccine. The state health officer has put out a COVID-19 vaccine standing order to help make sure that there’s access to the vaccine for everybody,” Valenciano said.
Washington is working in collaboration with Oregon, California, and Hawaii through the West Coast Health Alliance, a multi-state initiative to coordinate public health messaging and strengthen healthcare infrastructure across the region.
“The good news is that here in Washington and in partnership with other Western states, so Oregon, California, and also now Hawaii, they have formed the West Coast Health Alliance,” said Valenciano. “Which is an alliance where these states essentially share a commitment to make sure that they’re putting out the best available information based on science, making sure that our health system remains viable and strong.”
Valenciano also advised residents to verify their insurance coverage for vaccines and outlined resources available for those who are uninsured.
“It’s important for individuals that have health insurance, that they contact their health insurance company to see if their provider is going to be covering the cost of the vaccine,” said Valenciano. “Individuals who are on Washington Apple Health, our version of Medicaid, they will continue to have coverage for the COVID-19 vaccine for adults, children, and pregnant individuals.”
“Other resources include the Washington Adult Vaccine Program, which is for uninsured adults, and then the Children’s Vaccine Program, which provides vaccines for all children under 19. They’ll be able to access the vaccine,” Valenciano added.
As the virus continues to evolve, Valenciano urged the public to remain proactive and stay up to date with vaccinations, highlighting the importance of immune protection even as variants shift.
“Although variants have changed and the severity has changed for certain risk groups and certain individuals in our community, we want to make sure that they stay protected, and that is key,” Valenciano said. “I think the other thing to consider is that because viruses change over time, we don’t know will there be another strain that could have more implications potentially, but we don’t know that, so that’s why we want to make sure if vaccines are available and if it’s accessible, then you should get it.”
