Clark County’s recent COVID-19 case rate has steadily decreased for the fifth week in a row.
Clark County Public Health’s Oct. 13 report included 47.3 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population over seven days, down from the 59.5 per 100,000 reported the prior week. The rate is the lowest it has been since April 21.
Though Clark County’s rate continues to decline, the rate statewide saw a slight increase in the past week. As of Oct. 20, Washington had 67.4 cases per 100,000 population, up from 65.8 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 Oct. 4 to Oct. 10.
The health department reported 206 new COVID-19 cases between Oct. 13 and Oct. 20, fewer than the 245 new COVID-19 cases between Oct. 6 and Oct. 13. In total, there have been 106,328 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. 20 report included four additional confirmed COVID-19 deaths, fewer than the five confirmed deaths and one death suspected to be due to the disease reported the prior week.
The deaths bring Clark County’s total to 943, which includes 805 confirmed and 138 suspected deaths.
The number of COVID-19 patients occupying hospital beds in Clark County dropped. As of Oct. 20, 7.1% of beds had either patients with confirmed COVID-19 or patients awaiting test results, down from 8.6% reported on Oct. 13. The number of intensive care unit (ICU) beds occupied by COVID-19 patients and patients awaiting test results landed at 8.2%, less than the 11.1% the prior week.
New COVID-19 hospital admissions increased in the latest data. In its Oct. 20 report, the health department reported 5.2 admissions per 100,000 population in the past seven days, up from 4.6 admissions per 100,000 population reported on Oct. 13.
Total hospital bed occupancy in the county decreased as of Oct. 20. The health department reported 96.6% of hospital beds and 95.9% of ICU beds in the county were occupied, compared to 97.6% of all beds and 96.3% of the ICU beds on Oct. 13.
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.
