Clark County reports 76 new COVID-19 cases, no new deathsFree

Clark County Public Health reported 76 new COVID-19 cases and no new deaths Thursday.

The cases include 51 confirmed using molecular (PCR) testing, for a total of 23,644, and 25 probable cases diagnosed with antigen testing, for a total of 1,412, according to Public Health data. There were 487 active cases Thursday, counting confirmed and probable cases still in their isolation period, up from 457 on Wednesday.

With no new COVID-19 deaths reported Thursday, the county’s total held steady at 272. Deaths are added to the county’s total 10 to 12 days after they occur, according to Public Health.

Hospitalizations fell slightly on Thursday, with 42 people hospitalized with COVID-19, down from 44 on Wednesday, and three people hospitalized awaiting test results, down from six on Wednesday, according to Public Health data. ICU occupancy fell slightly, to 95.3 percent on Thursday, and the percentage of licensed beds occupied by people with or suspected of having COVID-19 fell to 7.8 percent, the data showed.

Public Health reported that test positivity rates rose in the most recent period available, May 9-15, with a rate of 7.76 percent or 575 positive tests out of 7,412 tests administered. That figure is up from a rate of 6.39 percent on May 2-8.

As of Monday, 56.59 percent of Clark County residents age 16 and older had received at least one dose of vaccine, and 47.9 percent were fully vaccinated, according to the Washington Department of Health, which also reported that 45.05 percent of all county residents had at least one dose, while 38.12 percent were fully vaccinated.

Data for Clark County and the state show that COVID-19 vaccines are extremely effective at preventing COVID-19 infections as well as hospitalizations and deaths. According to county data from May 25, only about 0.07 percent of fully vaccinated Clark County residents have contracted COVID-19.

Anyone age 16 or older is eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and anyone age 12 or older is eligible to be vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine, though a parent or legal guardian must accompany minors ages 12 to 15. Underage teens are advised to check with vaccination sites about what sort of parental consent might be needed.

Vaccinations are available without an appointment in Clark County, including the Tower Mall vaccination site, 5403 E. Mill Plain Blvd. in Vancouver. The Tower Mall site will close at the end of June.

More information about opportunities for vaccination is available on Clark County Public Health’s COVID-19 vaccine information website. Appointments at a number of locations throughout Clark County can be scheduled through 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.