The number of recent COVID-19 cases in Clark County continue to grow as some area health agencies say they’ll require employees to get the jab.
During its weekly update on Aug. 5, Clark County Public Health reported the county’s total of recent COVID-19 infections was about 120.8 per 100,000 population in the past 14 days, up from 74.5 cases per 100,000 last week.
Between July 29 and Aug. 5, there were 604 new cases reported in Clark County. Of those, 477 were confirmed COVID-19 cases and 127 were probable cases, which are cases based on antigen testing.
The Washington Department of Health stated it had added 6,000 new cases statewide to its tally on Aug. 3 following a backlog from July 30.
The new cases bring the county’s number to 25,728 since the outbreak began. There were 653 active COVID-19 cases in Clark County as of Aug. 5, which are ones still in the isolation period.
Two new confirmed deaths and a suspected death from COVID-19 were recorded in the prior week. A woman older than 80 and a man in his 70s with existing health conditions died. The one suspected death was a man older than 80 with unknown health conditions.
With the reported deaths, the county’s death total is now at 296, including 263 confirmed and 33 suspected.
In Clark County Public Health’s latest report there were 3.2 individuals per 100,000 hospitalized with COVID-19 in Clark County the past seven days, compared to 3.2 per 100,000 as of July 29.
Local health workers required to get vaccinations
Some local health care groups are now requiring their employees to get vaccinated.
As of Aug. 6, both the Vancouver Clinic and PeaceHealth and its medical center in Vancouver, have announced they would require vaccines for their employees. Hospital officials note the delta variant of COVID-19 has made its way through the state and now makes up a significant number of cases.
“The delta variant has placed our patients, clinicians, staff and families at increased risk,” said Vancouver Clinic Chief Medical Officer Alfred Seekamp in a release. “We know the best protection against the delta variant is vaccination and masks. As a (health care) organization owned and led by physicians, we have a core responsibility to protect our patients, our families and one another.”
Vancouver Clinic has 80 percent of its employees already vaccinated, the release stated. Those who have not yet been vaccinated have until Sept. 15 to comply, as it “is a condition of employment,” the release stated.
“We value each of our employees and this decision was carefully considered,” Seekamp said in the release. “We believe this is the right thing to do for the health and safety of employees, our patients and our community.”
PeaceHealth’s deadline for vaccinations is Aug. 31, though employees can continue to work without it if they undergo regular screenings, according to a release from the provider.
At the end of the month, those refusing the vaccine who work for the medical group “will be subject to regular COVID-19 testing, as well as additional masking, potential reassignment to non-patient care settings, and other safety protocols,” stated the release.
PeaceHealth’s chief physician Doug Koekkoek said his group has similar rates of vaccination to Vancouver Clinic’s 80 percent.
“We believe all health care workers who are medically able should get a COVID-19 vaccine to keep themselves, our patients and our communities safe,” Koekkoek said in the release. “Doing so is part of our (m)ission to promote personal and community health and our (v)ision to make sure that every person receives safe, compassionate care.”
PeaceHealth noted its decision came with the backing of a number of organizations, including the Catholic Health Association, the American Hospital Association, the American Medical Association, the American Nurses Association, and others.
“New variants of COVID-19 pose a critical threat to those unable to be vaccinated, including children and the medically vulnerable,” PeaceHealth medical director of infection prevention Bob Pelz said in the release. "It is our moral obligation to first do no harm and act for the common good. COVID-19 vaccines are proven to be the best way to protect ourselves and reduce the likelihood of harming others.”
