Clark County’s reported COVID-19 activity rate rose slightly this week as disease activity and new hospitalizations continue to plateau.
The COVID-19 activity rate, which measures new cases per 100,000 population over 7 days, rose from 24.4 last week to 26 as of Thursday, according to Clark County Public Health data.
The case rate this week remains almost as low as it was during the week of July 22, 2021, when the case rate dropped to 23.8, the lowest rate reported since Public Health began reporting the statistic in July 2020.
Public Health reported 205 new cases this week, with 176 confirmed by molecular testing, for 73,992 to date, and 29 using antigen testing, for 14,630.
The Washington Department of Health is still clearing a backlog of cases caused by reporting delays during the omicron surge. As a result, some cases added to the total this week may have occurred earlier. Because of this, the activity rate provides a more accurate picture of virus activity compared with the number of new cases reported in a week, according to Public Health.
The activity rate reflects the number of cases reported in a week based on when a test was administered, not when results were reported.
Public Health reported 1.4 new hospitalizations per 100,000 residents over seven days this week, the same as last week.
As of Tuesday, 96.4 percent of Clark County’s hospital beds and 95.7 percent of its ICU beds were occupied. Hospitals reported that 27 beds — accounting for 5.2 percent of hospital beds and 4.3 percent of ICU beds — were occupied by people with or suspected of having COVID-19.
One new death from COVID-19 was reported this week, a woman age 80 or older. It is the lowest number of deaths reported in a week since the week of Sept. 2, 2021.
The new death pushes the total number of people who have died from COVID-19 in Clark County to 795. Deaths are added to the county’s total typically 10 to 12 days after they occur.
The Washington State Department of Health reported that as of March 28, 65.4 percent of Clark County residents age 5 or older were fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Community Levels — a data tool that determines a county’s COVID-19 risk level based on its current number of cases, hospitalizations and overall hospital occupancy — Clark County is at low risk, along with every county in Washington except Snohomish and King counties, which are at medium risk.
Recommendations for residents of low-risk counties include staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and getting tested if you have symptoms. Masks are not required in low-risk counties. However, masks and social distancing are still recommended for people at high risk for serious illness. Additionally, people who are exposed to COVID-19 or who are showing symptoms are still required to follow quarantine guidelines.
