Clark County reported 45 new COVID-19 cases and no new deaths Tuesday as trend data offered mixed signals on the state of the pandemic locally.
This week, Clark County Public Health reported an infection rate of 266.6 new cases per 100,000 population over 14 days, down from 276.6 last week, but also reported that new hospital admissions rose to 6.4 per 100,000 residents over seven days, up from 5.4 last week.
Together, those trends would have put Clark County in a position for a roll-back in the state’s Roadmap to Recovery plan had Gov. Jay Inslee not put that program on hold and announced a full reopening no later than June 30.
The new cases announced Tuesday include 37 confirmed by molecular (PCR) testing, pushing that total to 22,661, and eight probable cases diagnosed by antigen testing, pushing that total to 1,218 to date. The county has reported an average of about 85 new cases a day since Friday, up from an average of about 80 cases per day last week but down from average of about 96 cases a day in the week ending May 7.
The number of active cases, which counts both confirmed and probable cases still in their isolation period, fell to 623 on Tuesday, down from 693 on Monday, according to Public Health data. Test positivity rates continued to rise in late April, with 8.54 percent of COVID-19 tests coming back positive between April 25 and May 1, up from 7.4 percent the previous week and a low of 3.16 percent in the March 14-20 period.
Hospitalization data was not available Tuesday.
The county’s total deaths from COVID-19 held steady at 265 to date. Deaths are added to the county’s total 10 to 12 days after they occur.
Anyone age 16 or older is eligible to be vaccinated, and anyone age 12 or older is eligible to be vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine, through 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 at a number of sites in Clark County, including the Tower Mall vaccination site at 5403 E. Mill Plain Blvd. in Vancouver.
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.
