Clark County reported 283 new confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases and two deaths as the pandemic regained steam, according to Clark County Public Health.
The fatalities were a man and a woman in their 70s, both with underlying conditions, according to Public Health. They pushed the total number of deaths from COVID-19 to 254 to date. Fatalities are added to the county’s total 10-12 days after they occur. There were three deaths reported last week.
The deaths come as Public Health reported 259 new COVID-19 cases confirmed by molecular (PCR) testing, putting the county’s total to 21,011 cases to date, and 24 new probable cases, pushing that total to 936 to date.
Combined, the 283 new confirmed and probable cases works out to an average of about 94 new cases a day since Friday. That’s up from about 87 new cases a day last week and about 71 cases a day the week before, according to Public Health data. The average during the week of March 15-21 was about 43 new cases a day.
The increasing case numbers come with the introduction of the B.1.1.7 variant, which spreads more easily and quickly than other variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The variant has been detected in Clark County, and the state Department of Health estimates that about 50 to 60 percent of all COVID-19 cases in the state are due to that variant.
Gov. Jay Inslee described a statewide surge in COVID-19 cases on April 16 as a “creeping fourth wave” of the pandemic and urged people to get vaccinated, spend time outdoors and be sure to mask up and keep their distance to help stop the latest surge.
The number of active cases, which counts both confirmed and probable cases still in their isolation period, rose to 635 on Monday, up from 623 on Friday, according to Public Health data.
Hospitalizations rose on Monday, with 32 people hospitalized with COVID-19, up from 28 on Friday, and two people hospitalized awaiting test results, down from four on Friday.
Anyone age 16 or older is eligible to be vaccinated. As of April 21, 33.47 percent of Clark County residents had received the first dose and just over 23.15 percent had received both doses.
To schedule an appointment at a number of locations throughout Clark County, including mass vaccination sites, visit the Washington Department of Health Vaccine Locator.
Those who do not have internet access or need help scheduling an appointment can call Public Health from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 888-225-4625. Call center representatives can assist with scheduling. Language assistance is available.
