Clark County’s number of new COVID-19 cases broke four digits in the past week as activity continues to rise.
Clark County Public Health’s May 19 report showed 165.7 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population over seven days, about 11% more than the 149.6 per 100,000 reported the prior week. The case rate has been increasing for six weeks after reaching a low of 24.4 cases per 100,000 on April 7.
Recent case rates lag behind the most recent counts of cases. The health department’s most recent case rate was based on activity from May 3 to May 9.
The health department reported 1,100 new cases between May 12 and May 19, more than the 779 reported between May 5 and May 12.
The update on May 19 included 856 confirmed cases and 244 suspected cases based on antigen testing. In total, there have been 76,737 confirmed and 15,483 probable cases in Clark County since the outbreak began.
Clark County Public Health’s May 19 report included three confirmed deaths after reporting two confirmed deaths on May 12. The deaths were a man in his 70s, a man in his 60s and a woman older than 80.
The health department also reported three deaths suspected to be due to the disease after not reporting any suspected deaths May 12. Those deaths included two men in their 70s and a man in his 60s.
The deaths put Clark County’s total at 807, which includes 712 confirmed and 95 suspected to be due to COVID-19.
The number of COVID-19 patients occupying hospital beds in Clark County dropped slightly. As of May 19, 9.5% of beds had either patients with confirmed COVID-19 or patients awaiting test results, less than the 10.1% reported the week prior. The number of intensive care unit (ICU) beds occupied by COVID-19 patients was 11.8%, up from the 7.3% reported May 12.
New COVID-19 hospital admissions saw an increase in the latest data. In its May 19 report, the health department reported 7.4 admissions per 100,000 population in the past seven days, up from 6.6 admissions per 100,000 population reported May 12.
Total hospital bed occupancy in the county saw a slight drop. The health department reported 97.6% of hospital beds and 98% of ICU beds were occupied in the county, compared to 97.9% of all beds and 98.2% of ICU beds on May 12.
Clark County’s statewide share of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths stayed about the same as of May 19 compared to the prior week. The Washington State Department of Health reported the county had about 6% of cases and 6.3% of deaths.
