Clark County Public Health reported 112 new confirmed COVID-19 cases Tuesday afternoon. But removal of 106 duplicate cases from the database meant the county’s cumulative total rose by only six cases, to 11,977.
The duplicates occurred because Public Health is in the process of transitioning to a new COVID-19 database. The duplicate cases were reported Dec. 8 through Dec. 17.
There were no new deaths reported Tuesday afternoon, and 751 people are in their isolation period, according to Public Health.
Clark County has 52 people hospitalized for COVID-19, down five people from the day before. Another five people are hospitalized and awaiting coronavirus test results.
Clark County has averaged around 138 new cases per day over the last week, which is less than in recent weeks.
That decline is reflected in the new COVID-19 activity rate for Clark County. Clark County’s current activity rate is at 433.98 new cases per 100,000 population over two weeks, down from last week’s rate of 450.56.
Free COVID-19 tests
Free, no-barrier drive-thru and walk-up testing will arrive in Clark County next month.
According to a Tuesday news release, the city of Vancouver, Clark County Public Health and Clark Regional Emergency Services Agencies have partnered with the Washington Department of Health and the nonprofit organization Health Commons Project to open a COVID-19 rapid-testing site in the Tower Mall parking lot, 5411 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver.
The site is expected to operate for several months. Tower Mall was selected “due to its centralized location and proximity to multiple bus lines,” according to the news release. Test results are expected to return within 36 to 48 hours.
While the hours of operation are not finalized yet, the site will be open multiple days per week, from approximately 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Testing will be free, regardless of income level, immigration status or insurance coverage. No one will receive a bill for testing, but those who have health insurance will be asked to provide that information so their insurance can be billed.
Advanced registration will be encouraged, but drop-in testing will also be available. Additional information about the Tower Mall COVID-19 testing site will be available to the public in early January.
