Clark County Public Health reports backlog of 43 COVID deaths 

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Recent COVID-19 cases in Clark County saw a flatter increase over the past several weeks, though hospitalizations of those with the disease are as high as ever.

In its weekly report released Sept. 9, Clark County Public Health reported 549.3 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population in the past 14 days in Clark County, up from 523 per 100,000 reported the week prior. The rate has been increasing for the past seven weeks since it hit a low of 50.1 per 100,000 reported on July 22, and remains the highest rate since the pandemic began.

There were 1,356 additional COVID-19 cases reported between Sept. 2 and Sept. 9 by Clark County Public Health, including 1,252 confirmed cases and 104 probable cases based on antigen testing. In total, the county has seen 30,977 confirmed and 2,834 probable cases since the outbreak began. There were 1,511 active cases as of the Sept. 9 report, which are ones still in the isolation period.

The health department reported a recent average of 225 new cases per day, compared to about 21 daily cases two months ago.



Clark County Public Health data showed all intensive care units in the county were filled as of Sept. 9, with 97 percent of hospital beds in general filled. In total, 132 patients either with confirmed COVID-19 or awaiting test results occupied beds in the county, making up 27.1 percent of total beds. The county’s admission rate continued to climb, with 15.4 admissions per 100,000 population in the past seven days, up from 13.6 per 100,000 in the prior week.

Due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, the health department reported a backlog of 43 additional deaths from the disease in its Sept. 9 report, most of which occurred in August. The new reporting puts the county’s total deaths at 349, including 313 confirmed to be due to the disease and 36 suspected. Clark County Public Health stated they will report death numbers as soon as they come in, though underlying conditions may not be immediately reported.

The county’s share of COVID-19 confirmed cases and deaths statewide showed another week of slight increase as of Sept. 8. Washington State Department of Health data showed the county had roughly 5.9 percent of confirmed cases and about 5.2 percent of deaths.