Clark County recorded 161 new COVID-19 cases and no new deaths since Friday as a fourth wave of infection continues to show signs of abating.
The new cases work out to an average of about 54 new cases per day over the three-day period, according to data from Clark County Public Health. That’s down from about 68 new cases a day in the seven-day period ending May 28. Data from last week was skewed by a change in accounting methods and the discovery of cases that had previously not been reported and could not be used for comparisons.
The cases reported Monday include 153 that were confirmed using molecular (PCR) testing, to a total of 23,855 cases to date, and eight probable cases diagnosed using antigen testing, for a total of 1,426 cases to date, according to Public Health data.
With no new deaths reported over the weekend, the cumulative death toll from COVID-19 in Clark County stands at 273 to date. Deaths are added to the county’s total 10-12 days after they occur, according to Public Health. Two deaths were recorded last week and seven the week before.
There were 448 active confirmed and probable cases still in isolation on Monday, down from 487 on Friday, according to Public Health data.
Hospitalizations were little changed Monday, with 42 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Clark County, down from 43 on Friday, and two people hospitalized awaiting test results, the same as on Friday, according to Public Health data.
Public Health reported that 92.4 percent of the county’s ICU beds were occupied by all patients on Monday, up from 83.3 percent on Friday, in a measure of health system capacity, while 7.6 percent of all hospital beds were occupied by people with or suspected of having COVID-19, down from 7.8 percent on Friday.
As of Wednesday, 56.89 percent of Clark County residents age 16 or older had received at least one dose of vaccine to protect against the virus that causes COVID-19, and 48.4 percent were fully vaccinated — slightly higher than statewide averages of 54.65 percent and 43.86 percent, respectively, according to the Washington Department of Health.
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.
