Clark County COVID-19 cases jumped by 30.4 percent this weekFree

Confirmed COVID-19 cases jumped by 30.4 percent this week in Clark County as the disease continues to rebound from lows in early March, according to Clark County Public Health.

Public Health reported one new death Friday, a woman in her 50s with underlying health conditions, pushing the county’s total deaths from COVID-19 to 249. Four deaths were reported this week, up from three last week and one the week before.

There were 55 confirmed COVID-19 cases reported Friday, which put the county’s total at 20,256. There were 416 confirmed cases reported this week, or an average of about 59 new cases a day, up from 319 cases last week, or an average of about 46 new cases a day. There were 205 cases, or an average of about 29 cases a day, reported in the week ending March 5.

Confirmed cases are diagnosed by a molecular (PCR) test. Clark County began reporting probable cases diagnosed by faster but less reliable antigen testing this week. Public Health reported 18 new probable cases on Friday, putting the total at 799 to date.

The number of active cases, which tracks both confirmed and probable cases still in their isolation period, rose to 517 on Friday, up from 491 on Thursday.

Hospitalizations rose Friday, with 21 people hospitalized with COVID-19, up from 15 on Thursday, and three people hospitalized awaiting test results, up from zero on Thursday. Both groups of patients accounted for 4.2 percent of the county’s licensed hospital beds.

The increasing number of cases has prompted public health officials to urge people to continue wearing masks, socially distance and wash and sanitize their hands — even if vaccinated.

Vaccination appointments are now available to all Washington residents age 16 and older. The county has received 9,220 first doses and 7,920 second doses to be administered through Sunday. More doses are available through local pharmacies, supplied directly by the federal government.

To schedule an appointment, visit the Safeway/Albertsons website. The scheduling link is also available on the Public Health COVID-19 vaccine webpage, as is the Washington Department of Health’s Vaccine Locator.