Clark County’s recent COVID-19 case rate rises for seventh-straight week

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Clark County’s latest rate of recent COVID-19 cases jumped up by about a third compared to the previous week.

Clark County Public Health’s May 26 report showed 217.5 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population over seven days, about 31% more than the 165.7 per 100,000 reported the prior week. The case rate has been increasing for seven weeks and is the highest it has been since February.

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 10 to May 16.

The health department reported 1,157 new cases between May 19 and May 26, more than the 1,100 reported between May 12 and May 19.

The update on May 26 included 881 confirmed cases and 276 suspected cases based on antigen testing. In total, there have been 77,618 confirmed and 15,759 probable cases in Clark County since the outbreak began.

Clark County Public Health’s May 26 report included an additional confirmed COVID-19 death and three suspected to be due to the disease. The confirmed death was a woman older than 80, while the suspected deaths were three men older than 80.



The deaths put Clark County’s total at 811, which includes 713 confirmed and 98 suspected to be due to COVID-19.

The number of COVID-19 patients occupying hospital beds in Clark County increased. As of May 26, 15% of beds had either patients with confirmed COVID-19 or patients awaiting test results, more than the 9.5% reported the week prior. The number of intensive care unit (ICU) beds occupied by COVID-19 patients was 31.5%, up from the 11.8% reported on May 19.

New COVID-19 hospital admissions saw an increase in the latest data. In its May 26 report, the health department reported 7.8 admissions per 100,000 population in the past seven days, up from 7.4 admissions per 100,000 population reported May 19.

Though more beds had COVID-19 patients, total hospital bed occupancy in the county saw a drop. The health department reported 94.7% of hospital beds and 84.6% of ICU beds were occupied in the county, compared to 97.6% of all beds and 98% of ICU beds on May 19.

Clark County’s statewide share of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths stayed about the same as of May 26 compared to the prior week. The Washington State Department of Health reported the county had about 6% of cases and 6.3% of deaths.