The rate of recent COVID-19 cases in Clark County reached the highest point on record, according to the latest report from the county health department.
In its weekly update on Sept. 2, Clark County Public Health reported 523 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population in the past 14 days, an increase of nearly a third from the week prior. The rate surpassed the 473.7 cases per 100,000 reported in mid-January, and marks the sixth straight week of increase from a record low of 50.1 per 100,000 reported on July 22.
The health department’s update showed 1,243 more confirmed COVID-19 cases between Aug. 26 and Sept. 2 in the county, and 359 probable cases based on antigen testing. The new cases put the county’s total at 29,725 confirmed and 2,730 probable cases since the outbreak began. There were 1,561 active cases as of Sept. 2, which are ones in the isolation period.
Clark County’s COVID-19 patient admission rate also continues to climb, as Clark County Public Health reported 13.6 patients per 100,000 population were admitted to county hospitals in the prior seven days. The 134 confirmed COVID-19 patients and one awaiting test results occupied more than 23 percent of hospital beds in the county.
The county’s total number of hospital beds occupied was at 83.1 percent, and 92.4 percent of intensive care unit beds were filled as of Sept. 2, Clark County Public Health reported.
The latest report showed fewer confirmed COVID-19 deaths in the county between Aug. 26 and Sept. 2 compared to the week prior, with only one. A man in his 50s with underlying health conditions died. The death brings the county’s total to 306, including 274 deaths confirmed to be because of COVID-19 and 32 suspected.
The county’s share of COVID-19 deaths statewide showed a slight uptick as of Sept. 2, though confirmed cases remained about the same. Washington State Department of Health data showed the county had roughly 5.8 percent of confirmed cases and about 5 percent of deaths.
