��������

COVID-19 infection rates are dropping among children and teens in Washington, though a new report shows rates remain higher now than at any point before the country’s summer surge of delta cases.

Case rates among youth under 19 averaged about 425.8 infections per 100,000 people between Oct. 10 and 24, according to . In September, the state estimated a 14-day average of more than 600 cases per 100,000, according to DOH data.

“Compared to where we were, before our summertime surge with delta, cases today remain three times higher, hospitalizations two times higher and deaths three to six times higher,” county health officer Dr. Jeff Duchin said in a . “So although we’re coming down from that serious surge, we’re still much higher with respect to cases, hospitalizations and deaths.”

Rates are declining as pediatric vaccines flow into the state this week, with more than 300,000 doses expected to arrive at Washington health care systems and pharmacies over the next few weeks.