Clark County’s COVID-19 activity rate increased slightly this week. New hospitalizations decreased this week, but hospital occupancy remains high.
The COVID-19 activity rate, which measures new cases per 100,000 population over seven days, rose from 159.3 last week to 175.1 as of Thursday, according to Clark County Public Health data.
The rate increased throughout May before trending downward in early June. It began rising again last week.
As of Tuesday, 98.7 percent of Clark County hospital beds and 96.3 percent of ICU beds were occupied. Hospitals reported that 74 beds — accounting for 12.4 percent of hospital beds and 14.8 percent of ICU beds — were occupied by people with or suspected of having COVID-19.
Seven new deaths from COVID-19 were reported this week. The deaths include three men in their 70s and two men and two women age 80 or older.
The new deaths push the total number of people who have died from COVID-19 in Clark County to 837. Deaths are typically added to the county’s total 10 to 12 days after they occur.
Public Health reported 921 new cases this week, for 96.850 to date. The actual number of new cases is likely much 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.
On Thursday, 15 Washington counties were at medium risk, including Skamania and Klickitat.
The Washington State Department of Health reported that as of June 20, 66.3 percent of Clark County residents age 5 or older were fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
The Food and Drug Administration authorized this week both Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for children as young as 6 months old.
Clark County Public Health suggests that parents with children under 5 whom they wish to be vaccinated contact their primary care provider. The CDC is shipping doses directly to providers.
Parents can use the options below to find a vaccine location near them. Some may not be updated yet to include children under 5, but Public Health expects those updates will happen soon.
VaccineLocator.doh.wa.gov
VaccineFinder.org
Call 833.VAX.HELP
Text your ZIP code to 438829 (GETVAX)
COVID-19 vaccines and boosters provide the best protection against COVID-19, according to Public Health.
