Clark County’s recent COVID-19 case rate has steadily decreased for the fourth week in a row.
Clark County Public Health’s Oct. 13 report included 59.5 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population over seven days, down from the 72.1 per 100,000 reported the prior week. The most recent decrease was the largest drop the rate experienced in October after it fluctuated up and down in September.
The rate statewide also decreased following weeks of an increase. As of Oct. 13, Washington had 85.8 cases per 100,000 population, down from 97.2 per 100,000 the prior week.
Recent case rates lag behind the most recent counts of cases. The health department’s most recent case rate was based on activity from Sept. 27 to Oct. 3.
The health department reported 245 new COVID-19 cases between Oct. 6 and Oct. 13, fewer than the 324 new COVID-19 cases between Sept. 29 and Oct. 6. In total, there have been 106,122 confirmed and probable cases in Clark County since the outbreak began, although that number does not include at-home tests, which often go unreported.
Clark County Public Health’s Oct. 13 report included five additional confirmed COVID-19 deaths and one death suspected to be due to the disease, compared to the four confirmed deaths and three suspected deaths reported the prior week.
The deaths bring Clark County’s total to 939, which includes 801 confirmed and 138 suspected to be due to the disease.
Though cases have dropped, the number of COVID-19 patients occupying hospital beds in Clark County increased. As of Oct. 13, 8.6% of beds had either patients with confirmed COVID-19 or patients awaiting test results, up from 7.1% reported on Oct. 6. The number of intensive care unit (ICU) beds occupied by COVID-19 patients and patients awaiting test results landed at 11.1%, more than the 6.9% the prior week.
New COVID-19 hospital admissions dropped in the latest data. In its Oct. 13 report, the health department reported 4.6 admissions per 100,000 population in the past seven days, down from 5.2 admissions per 100,000 population reported on Oct. 6.
Total hospital bed occupancy in the county also decreased as of Oct. 13. The health department reported 97.6% of hospital beds and 96.3% of ICU beds in the county were occupied, compared to 98.2% of all beds and 96.6% of the ICU beds on Oct. 6.
Clark County’s statewide share of COVID-19 cases and deaths stayed about the same. The Washington State Department of Health reported the county had about 5.8% of cases and 6.5% of deaths.
