Clark County’s COVID-19 activity rate increased slightly this week for the first time in two weeks.
The COVID-19 activity rate, which measures new cases per 100,000 population over seven days, rose from 157.9 last week to 159.3 as of Thursday, according to Clark County Public Health data.
After a precipitous fall in February and March following the omicron surge, the rate began rising in April. It began decreasing in early June, until now.
Hospitalizations decreased this week, but overall hospital occupancy remains high.
As of Tuesday, 97.6 percent of Clark County hospital beds and 98.2 percent of ICU beds were occupied. Hospitals reported that 71 beds — accounting for 10.8 percent of hospital beds and 5.3 percent of ICU beds — were occupied by people with or suspected of having COVID-19.
Three new deaths from COVID-19 were reported this week. The deaths include one woman in her 50s, one man in his 70s and one woman age 80 or older.
The new deaths push the total number of people who have died from COVID-19 in Clark County to 830. Deaths are added to the county’s total typically 10 to 12 days after they occur.
Public Health reported 893 new cases this week, for 95,929 to date. The actual number of new cases is likely higher due to unreported positive at-home tests, according to Clark County Public Health officials.
If you test positive for COVID-19 with an at-home test, you can call the state’s COVID-19 hotline at 1-800-525-0127 to report your positive result.
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 remains at low 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, although 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.
Throughout March, April and May, multiple counties in Washington fluctuated between low, medium and high risk. Last week, only two counties in Washington were at medium risk, King and Snohomish, while the rest remained at low risk. This week, 15 counties are at medium risk, including Skamania and Klickitat.
The Washington State Department of Health reported that as of June 13, 66.3 percent of Clark County residents age 5 or older were fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
COVID-19 vaccines and boosters provide the best protection against COVID-19, according to Clark County Public Health.
Find a vaccine
Here are ways you can find a vaccine location near you:
nSearch VaccineLocator.doh.wa.gov.
nSearch VaccineFinder.org.
nCall 833-VAX-HELP.
nText your ZIP code to 438829 (GETVAX).
Washington residents can now access eight free at-home COVID-19 tests through the federal government’s test kit program. To place an order, go to www.COVIDtests.gov. Orders require a name and address, and the tests will be delivered to your door by the U.S. Postal Service at no cost.
If you need helping placing an order, call 800-232-0233.
Dylan Jefferies: 360-735-4547; dylan.jefferies@columbian.com; twitter.com/jefferiesd
