One year in, Snohomish County’s newly formed Health Department has big plans for 2024
SNOHOMISH COUNTY—On May 2022, after years of financially struggling, the Snohomish County Health District announced that its local public health services would be integrating to the county government structure as the newly formed Snohomish County Health Department. Despite financial constraints, the District had an eventful final year before the integration commenced on January 1, 2023: […]
Statewide bill introduced to outlaw public drug use exposure of fentanyl and meth
LAKE STEVENS—House Bill 2002 would make it a gross misdemeanor—or a class C felony if a minor is involved—to knowingly or intentionally exhale the smoke of fentanyl, methamphetamine, or their derivatives in a public space within 10 feet of another person, or within an enclosed public space with another person. The landmark bill, introduced by […]
COVID down, RSV and Influenza above threshold in Snohomish County
EVERETT, Wash., December 14, 2023—The Snohomish County Health Department announced on December 14 that due to respiratory virus indicators of COVID-19, influenza, and RSV exceeding threshold limits, healthcare facilities are to prepare for universal masking of staff, patients, and visitors. It is recommended to stay home if you are sick to prevent the spread of […]
First flu death of the season reported in Snohomish County
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash., November 22, 2023—The county’s first flu-related death of the 2023-24 flu season was reported last week. An Everett woman in her 60s with underlying medical conditions died November 13. While most people recover from flu with care and rest, flu can be a serious illness and cause deadly complications. Last flu season, 12 […]
Health Department plans to use fentanyl settlement dollars to combat growing epidemic
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash., September 27, 2023—According to the Snohomish County Health Department, more than 860 people in the county have died of overdoses since the start of 2020, and 658 of those were opioid-related. The total had already passed 80 fatal overdoses within the first quarter of 2023, more than half of them tied to […]
Snohomish County Board of Health to discuss fee increases and 2024 legislative priorities
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash., August 6, 2023—The Snohomish County Board of Health will hold its regular meeting at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at 3020 Rucker Avenue in the Auditorium. A remote option also is available: The full board packet for the meeting is available here. 2024 WA Legislative Priorities The 2024 Washington State Legislative […]
Snohomish County seeking community members for Board of Health
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash., November 18, 2022—Snohomish County is seeking interested community members to serve on the Board of Health. To apply, visit https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/6209/Board-of-Health. The Board of Health’s role will be to develop, approve, and revise countywide policy on public health issues such as opioids, immunizations, and climate change. The Board evaluates yearly budget proposals, recommends […]
Snohomish Health District Board Special Meeting, Two-Day retreat
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash., August 23, 2022—The Board of Health will hold a special meeting for a two-day retreat August 25 and 26 at Swinomish Yacht Club in La Conner. The full board packet for the meeting is available online, and the agenda for the meeting is as follows: Call to Order Thursday, August 25 […]
Health District confirms first Monkeypox case in Snohomish County
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash., July 11, 2022 – A monkeypox case in a Snohomish County resident was confirmed Friday afternoon. This is the first known case in the county. As of Friday, at least 15 other confirmed and probable cases of monkeypox have been identified in Washington state. Monkeypox is a virus that spreads through close physical […]
