OLYMPIA, Wash., December 24, 2021 – Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson on Thursday announced he has tested positive for COVID-19. It is uncertain which variant he has but, according to Ferguson, he is experiencing COVID symptoms.
Ferguson began experiencing symptoms on Sunday, December 19, and is currently isolating with his family. Ferguson, who is vaccinated, expressed that he is feeling better and looking forward to getting a booster shot.
“This evening, I received word that I tested positive for COVID-19. I have been isolating at home since I began experiencing symptoms on Sunday. My family and I will continue to isolate per public health guidelines.
“While the timing is unfortunate, and I’m disappointed to miss Christmas with family, I’m grateful to be vaccinated and managing my symptoms at home. I’m beginning to feel better and look forward to getting my booster shot.”
"This evening, I received word that I tested positive for COVID-19. I have been isolating at home since I began experiencing symptoms on Sunday. My family and I will continue to isolate per public health guidelines." -BF (1/2)
— Washington State Attorney General (@AGOWA) December 24, 2021
As of December 20, 4.9 million Washingtonians have been fully vaccinated or 75.6% of the population ages 12 and up. According to the Washington State Disease Reporting System, 30 percent of positive COVID-19 cases reported in Snohomish County are classified as COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough cases.
According to the Snohomish Health District, a COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough case is defined as a COVID-19 lab positive case in a person that is considered fully vaccinated (≥2 weeks after 2nd mRNA vaccine or 1st Johnson & Johnson vaccine).
On Wednesday, December 22, the FDA authorized Pfizer’s Paxlovid take-at-home pill for adults and children ages 12 and older with a positive COVID-19 test who experience symptoms.
Pfizer will ship tens of thousands of treatment courses in the U.S. before the end of this year, and hundreds of thousands at the start of 2022. The U.S. government has agreed to pay $5.29 billion to purchase 10 million treatment courses that Pfizer will deliver by the end of next year.
