Clark County recorded 49 new COVID-19 cases and no new deaths on Wednesday as state health officials warn that a long-anticipated “fall surge” in cases may be beginning.
The new cases push the county’s total number of COVID-19 cases to 4,330, according to Clark County Public Health. A total of 66 people in Clark County have died from COVID-19 to date, with the most recent death reported Tuesday.
There are 23 people hospitalized in Clark County with COVID-19 and eight hospitalized awaiting test results, according to Public Health.
The number of active cases, which tracks the number of cases still in their isolation period, rose from 134 on Tuesday to 157 on Wednesday, according to Public Health.
Demographic data on new cases from Public Health shows that people in their 40s represented the largest share of new COVID-19 cases in the seven days through Monday, with 66 new cases, or about 24 percent of the 274 cases reported in that period.
The next highest increase was among people in their 30s, with 55 new cases, or 20 percent of the total, followed by people in their 20s, with 46 new cases, or 17 percent of the total.
People in their 50s had 39 new cases during that period, or 14 percent of the total; people age 10-19 had 29 new cases or 11 percent of the total, and people in their 60s had 22 new cases or 8 percent of the total.
People age 80 or older had eight new cases or 3 percent of the total; children younger than 10 had five new cases, or 2 percent of the total, and people in their 70s had four new cases or 1 percent of the total.
The pace of new COVID-19 cases has been accelerating in recent weeks, matching a nationwide trend. On Tuesday, the Washington State Department of Health said case numbers are climbing at “an alarming rate” in Western Washington, raising concerns that a fall surge is starting.
“These cases are climbing, not because of localized outbreaks, but because of widespread disease transmission,” a Health Department statement said. “A surge in cases right now could have very serious consequences for our healthcare system, local plans to open schools, the state’s economic recovery, and beyond.”
The Health Department urged people to stop the surge by:
• Wearing a mask, even with people you see regularly and in your smallest social circles and anytime you are using shared transportation, including while in your own vehicle with other people.
• Keeping gatherings small and hold them outside whenever possible.
• Avoiding any social gatherings indoors. If you must participate, wear a mask and ensure windows and doors are open to maximize ventilation.
• Washing or sanitizing your hands often and not touching your face.
• Staying home if you’re sick or if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19.
