The uptick in recent COVID-19 activity in Clark County slowed a bit in the latest health department data.
Clark County Public Health’s Dec. 15 report included 88.7 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population over seven days, up from the 87.5 per 100,000 reported on Dec. 8. The latest data marks seven weeks of increases and is the highest it has been since Sept. 1.
The statewide case rate also rose, though it remains below Clark County’s rate. As of Dec. 15, Washington had 81.6 cases per 100,000 population, up from 75.6 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 Nov. 29 to Dec. 5.
The health department reported 405 new COVID-19 cases between Dec. 8 and Dec. 15, lower than the 461 reported between Dec. 1 and Dec. 8. In total, there have been 108,953 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 Dec. 15 report included three additional confirmed COVID-19 deaths and no deaths suspected to be due to the disease since its Dec. 8 update, lower than the nine confirmed deaths reported last week. The deaths bring Clark County’s total to 977, which includes 831 confirmed and 146 suspected deaths.
The number of COVID-19 patients occupying hospital beds in Clark County increased. As of Dec. 15, 15% of beds had either patients with confirmed COVID-19 or patients awaiting test results, up from 13.1% reported on Dec. 8. The number of intensive care unit (ICU) beds occupied by COVID-19 patients and patients awaiting test results landed at 12.8%, more than the 8.5% the prior week.
New COVID-19 hospital admissions increased slightly in the latest data. In its Dec. 15 report, the health department reported 9.6 admissions per 100,000 population in the past seven days, up from 9.4 admissions per 100,000 population reported on Dec. 8.
Clark County’s statewide share of COVID-19 cases stayed about the same as last week. The Washington State Department of Health reported the county had about 5.8% of cases and 6.6% of deaths.
