COVID infection rate in Whatcom’s fully vaccinated drops, while unvaccinated see increase

Whatcom County’s weekly COVID-19 infection rate among its fully-vaccinated residents dropped to its lowest mark since the Whatcom County Health Department began reporting weekly data in mid-August, while its rate among unvaccinated or partially vaccinated residents climbed slightly. During the week of Oct. 10-16, Whatcom County saw 101 breakthrough COVID cases, according to data released by the health department on Friday, Oct. 22. Based on data previously released by the Washington State Department of Health, 136,814 Whatcom residents were fully vaccinated as of Oct. 10, meaning the weekly infection rate was approximately 74 breakthrough cases per 100,000 vaccinated residents, according to The Bellingham Herald’s data analysis.