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Council hears health update: respiratory season waning, opioid deaths drop, e-bike/e-scooter deaths rose
Summary
A staff report relayed Snohomish County Health Department data: the respiratory virus season appears to be over; opioid‑related deaths fell from 21 in February 2025 to one in February 2026; e-bike and e‑scooter deaths rose 300% from 2019 to 2025, with e‑scooter injuries accounting for 71% of those deaths.
At the meeting staff relayed an update from the Snohomish County Health Department noting that the respiratory virus season appears to be over and that public‑health metrics are generally improved. The presenter highlighted a striking change in opioid deaths: "February 2025, we had 21 opioid related deaths in Snohomish County. This year in February 2026, we had 1," the speaker said.
The report also noted trends in e‑bike and e‑scooter injuries and deaths: from 2019 to 2025 the number of e‑bike and e‑scooter related deaths increased by 300 percent and e‑scooter related injuries accounted for 71 percent of those deaths. The presenter used the figures to underscore the importance of finalizing the city's e‑bike ordinance and related safety measures.
Councilmembers acknowledged the data and connected it to ongoing local ordinance work; no formal action on public‑health policy was taken at the meeting.
