Rise of omicron variant in Seattle prompts demand for testing, boosters

In the coming days, nearly all new positive COVID cases in the Seattle area are expected to be the omicron variant.

King County health officer says surge in omicron cases is ‘no longer theoretical’

Within the next week, UW Medicine’s Dr. Alex Greninger says King County and the surrounding region could see record high COVID case counts.

“Our most recent data puts it at 70% of all positive cases for samples collected last Thursday,” Greninger said of the variant. “Starting this week, we’re expecting almost all positives will be omicron, as well as a substantial increase in the number of overall cases.”

Thankfully, Seattle has some big advantages working in its favor, as Mayor Jenny Durkan pointed out on Monday, including a high vaccination rate and enough capacity for testing.

“[Omicron] is here in Seattle, it is spreading quickly, and we are projected to reach a new pandemic case high as early as next week,” she said.

“Many major cities are struggling to keep up with the demand that omicron has brought, but we still have the capacity to test people in the city,” Durkan added.

As of Friday, Seattle’s vaccination rate is at 90%, with 45% of eligible residents boosted.

Durkan asked people not to panic, and to get tested at the first sign of symptoms or of a known exposure. She and Greninger urged everyone who is eligible to get boosted if they haven’t already.

People are also being asked to rethink their holiday gatherings if they include large groups, and to keep well-fitting masks on when indoors.

“Continuing to wear the mask indoors, limiting the number of people at your celebrations,” Durkan advised for the upcoming holidays. “It’s not worth getting together if one of you gets sick.”

If you’re not sure when to visit a testing site, Dr. Greninger suggests going if you’ve been around anyone that has been confirmed to have COVID, or if you start feeling any cold-like symptoms.

“Certainly fever, cough, and this is supposed to be a little more bronchitis-y picture, for omicron, so far is what I’ve heard,” he said.

The UW Medicine testing sites across King County have enough tests for everyone who needs one, but the Lake Sammamish and Shoreline sites should especially have room.

Washington seeing ‘rapid rise’ of omicron variant cases leading into holiday season

Find a UW Medicine COVID-19 testing site near you here, and more information about COVID-19 testing in Seattle here. Visit this page for more information about COVID vaccine sites in the city.

KIRO Newsradio’s Nicole Jennings contributed to this report.

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