Public Health adds 13 COVID-19 cases to Clark County totalFree

The number of novel coronavirus cases in Clark County continues to increase, with Clark County Public Health confirming 13 new cases Wednesday.

The county has a total of 732 cases and 29 deaths; no new deaths have been reported since Monday.

Public Health confirmed 18 new cases Monday — a three day total including Friday through Monday — and 16 cases Tuesday. The county saw an increase of 55 cases last week.

The county is at a 14-day rate of 17 new cases per 100,000 population, though that two week period starts six days prior to the current date to account for the lag in reporting. The county has to maintain a rate of fewer than 25 cases per 100,000 population to apply for Phase 3 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s reopening plan.

Currently, 13 people are hospitalized at PeaceHealth Southwest or Legacy Salmon Creek medical centers.

Citing ongoing coronavirus-related health risks, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday announced a statewide requirement for people to wear facial coverings in public settings.

The public health order, issued by Secretary of Health John Wiesman, takes effect Friday. The order requires face coverings when people are indoors in a public area, and outdoors in a public area when 6 feet of physical distancing can’t be maintained.