Clark County’s recent COVID-19 case rate increased for a fourth week as it rose into the triple digits for the first time since March.
Clark County Public Health’s May 5 report showed 122 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population over seven days, about 74% more than the 70.3 per 100,000 reported the prior week. The case rate has been rising since April 14 after a 10-week decline following the omicron surge.
Recent case rates lag behind the most recent counts of cases. The health department’s most recent case rate was based on activity from April 19 to April 25.
The health department reported 781 new cases between April 28 and May 5, more than the 599 reported between April 21 and April 28.
The update on May 5 included 578 confirmed cases and 203 suspected cases based on antigen testing. In total, there have been 75,276 confirmed and 15,065 probable cases in Clark County since the outbreak began.
Clark County Public Health’s May 5 report included three confirmed deaths after only reporting one suspected to be due to the disease on April 28. The May 5 deaths included a man older than 80 and two men in their 60s. The deaths put Clark County’s total at 799, including 707 confirmed and 92 suspected to be due to COVID-19.
The number of COVID-19 patients occupying hospital beds in Clark County increased. As of May 5, 9.3% of beds had either patients with confirmed COVID-19 or patients awaiting test results, higher than the 5.5% reported the week prior. The health department reported 6.1% of intensive care unit (ICU) beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients, less than the 7% reported April 28.
New COVID-19 hospital admissions saw an increase in the latest data. In its May 5 report, the health department reported 4.2 admissions per 100,000 population in the past seven days, up from 3.4 admissions per 100,000 population reported April 28.
Total hospital bed occupancy in the county shifted slightly as well. The health department reported 97.9% of hospital beds and 95.9% of ICU beds were occupied in the county, compared to 98.5% of all beds and 94.7% of ICU beds on April 28.
Clark County’s statewide share of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths stayed about the same as of May 5 compared to the prior week. The Washington State Department of Health reported the county had about 6% of cases and 6.3% of deaths.
