Jefferson County recorded zero new COVID-19 cases in the past week, Public Health Officer Dr. Tom Locke said Monday.

The previous week, there were five confirmed coronavirus infections in the county.

Five cases in the span of two weeks marks a considerable falloff.

“This is the lowest we’ve been in a long time,” Locke told Jefferson County commissioners at their weekly pandemic update at Monday’s board meeting.

Good news is also emerging on the vaccination front, Locke said.

The list of those eligible to get shots now include not only those 65 and above, but school workers. That means not only teachers, but school bus drivers, janitors and others, as well, Locke said.

Locke said the Tri-Area Pharmacy is expected to receive 500 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine this week.

The pharmacy has been reaching out to schools in Chimacum, Quilcene, and Brinnon to set up vaccination events at schools or other locations, he added.

School workers should start getting shots this week, with vaccinations wrapping up in the week to come.

While demand for vaccinations have long outpaced supplies, that’s expected to change by May, Locke said, where anyone who wants to get vaccinated will be able to get a shot.

The mood of those who have not gotten shots may change over the coming months.

Currently, there’s an eagerness to get vaccinated, Locke said.

“People are really motivated to get vaccinated,” he said.

In May or June, that may change to having to push people to get a shot. Public outreach efforts are expected to intensify as any reluctance remains.

“It’s going to be a difficult thing to do. There is vaccine hesitancy out there,” Locke said.

That’s due in part to “culture war” and partisan positioning on COVID-19, Locke said.

“We need to get beyond those,” he said, to where 70 to 80 percent of the population is vaccinated, and the pandemic can be brought to an end.

A mass vaccination event is also likely on March 21, Locke said, if the county receives an order for 300 doses of the Moderna vaccine.

That order was expected to be placed Monday, Locke said.

The county will find out on Friday, he added, if the order will be delivered.

Emergency Management Director Willie Bence said there was a 50-50 chance the order will be filled.

“Right now we’re rating it as a coin flip,” Bence said.