Clark County reported 29 new COVID-19 cases and no new deaths Thursday as new case averages continue to fall and vaccination rates rise.
The new cases include 26 that were confirmed with molecular (PCR) testing, for a total of 24,183 to date, and three probable cases diagnosed with antigen testing, for a total of 1,496, according to data from Clark County Public Health.
The county has been averaging about 36 new cases a day since Friday, down from about 49 cases a day last week and a fourth-wave peak of about 95 cases a day in early May. The county averaged about 180 cases a day during the post-holiday peak in early January.
Public Health offices will be closed today in observance of Juneteenth, so the next set of data will be released on Monday.
No new deaths have been reported this week — seven were reported last week — leaving the total fatalities due to COVID-19 at 279. Deaths are reported by the county 10 to 12 days after they occur.
The number of active cases also fell, with 292 confirmed and probable cases still in isolation, down from 299 on Wednesday, according to Public Health data. Hospitalizations were little changed Thursday, with 32 people hospitalized with COVID-19, the same as Wednesday, and one person hospitalized awaiting test results, up from zero Wednesday.
The latest numbers come as the Washington Department of Health announced that 67.8 percent of Washington residents age 16 and older have had at least one dose, approaching the state’s goal of 70 percent by June 30. The numbers represent vaccinations tracked through the Washington State Immunization Information System with aggregate data from the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs.
In Clark County, 58.8 percent of people age 16 or older had at least one dose and 51.2 percent were fully vaccinated as of Monday, according to the Department of Health.
Vaccination information
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, there were only 124 cases of COVID-19 in vaccinated people reported as of May 25, the same day the county reported a total of 24,327 COVID-19 cases.
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 at the Tower Mall vaccination site, 5403 E. Mill Plain Blvd. in Vancouver, though it 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.
