Clark County COVID-19 activity level surges; one new death reportedFree

Clark County’s surge in COVID-19 cases continues with 51 new cases, one additional death and a substantial increase in the activity rate.

The county’s activity rate rose to 115.05 cases per 100,000 population over 14 days in the latest data from Clark County Public Health; the threshold for “high” activity under the state’s reopening guidelines is 75 new cases per 100,000 population over a two-week period.

The county also reported one new death Tuesday, a woman age 80 or older with no underlying health conditions, bringing the total number of COVID-19 deaths to 66.

There are 23 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Clark County and 10 people hospitalized awaiting test results, according to Public Health.

The county has recorded 4,281 COVID-19 cases to date, more than double the number reported as of Aug. 11.

Those surging numbers has been reflected in the county’s activity rate, which was as low as 19.45 per 100,000 population on June 26. Activity levels had reached 63.1 in the week ending Aug. 31, still in the “moderate” range, raising hopes of more in-person education, but case numbers began rising into the “high” range after Labor Day weekend.

Recent activity levels were 86.18 as of Sept. 28, 95.6 as of Oct. 5, and 100.1 as of Oct. 12.

Under state Department of Health guidelines, schools in counties where the transmission rate is more than 75 new cases per 100,000 residents should keep classes online and postpone or cancel all sports or extracurricular activities.

Small groups of high-needs students, including those who are homeless or those with disabilities, may attend some classes, and four elementary schools in the Evergreen Public Schools district has brought kindergarten students into the classroom.

Clark County must remain at the moderate transmission level, between 25 and 75 cases per 100,000 residents over 14 days, for three weeks before Clark County Public Health will recommend reopening schools to more students. That three-week countdown cannot begin until the activity level returns to “moderate.”