Clark County COVID-19 activity falls by 19 percent compared with last weekFree

Clark County COVID-19 activity fell by 19 percent this week, according to data released Friday by Clark County Public Health.

The county reported a total of 475 confirmed and probable cases in the seven days since May 21, for an average of about 68 new cases a day. That’s down from the previous week’s 587 cases or about 84 new cases a day, according to Public Health data.

On Friday, Public Health reported 53 new confirmed cases, verified by molecular (PCR) testing, and 22 probable cases diagnosed through antigen testing, for a combined total of 75 cases. To date, the county has recorded 23,242 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 1,360 probable cases.

No new deaths were recorded Friday. Seven deaths were recorded this week, up from five last week and one the week before. Death are added to the county’s total 10 to 12 days after they occur.

The number of active cases, counting both confirmed and probable cases still in isolation, rose to 545 on Friday, up from 540 on Thursday, according to Public Health data. Hospitalizations were little changed Friday, with 44 people hospitalized with COVID-19, up from 42 on Thursday, and two people hospitalized awaiting test results, down from three on Thursday.

The percent of occupied ICU beds, a closely watched measure of health system capacity, fell to 87.9 percent on Friday, down from 93.9 percent on Thursday, according to Public Health. The agency reported 7.9 percent of the county’s licensed hospital beds were occupied by people with or suspected of having COVID-19, up from 7.8 percent Thursday.

As of Wednesday, 54.98 percent Clark County residents age 16 or older had received their first dose of vaccine, or 43.76 percent of the entire population, while 45.53 percent of county residents 16 or older were fully vaccinated, or 36.24 percent of the entire population, according to the Washington Department of Health.

Statewide, 61.29 percent of the population age 16 or older had received a first dose, while 51.36 percent were fully vaccinated. As a percentage of total population, 49.19 percent had received one dose, with 41.22 percent fully vaccinated, the Department of Health reported.

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 at a number of sites in Clark County, including the Tower Mall vaccination site, 5403 E. Mill Plain Blvd. in Vancouver. The Tower Mall site 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.