The Reflector
Clark County’s recent COVID-19 case rate continued to increase in the health department’s latest report.
Clark County Public Health’s May 12 report showed 149.6 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population over seven days, about 23% more than the 122 per 100,000 reported the prior week. It was a slower weekly increase than reported on May 5, though it was still about six times higher than the lowest rate recorded by the health department since August 2020.
The health department reported 779 new cases between May 5 and May 12, slightly less than the 781 reported between April 28 and May 5.
Recent case rates lag behind the most recent counts of cases. The health department’s most recent case rate was based on activity from April 26 to May 2.
The update on May 12 included 605 confirmed cases and 174 suspected cases based on antigen testing. In total, there have been 75,881 confirmed and 15,239 probable cases in Clark County since the outbreak began.
Clark County Public Health’s May 12 report included two confirmed deaths after reporting three confirmed deaths on May 5. The May 12 deaths included a man and a woman both older than 80. The deaths put Clark County’s total at 801, which includes 709 confirmed and 92 suspected to be due to COVID-19.
The number of COVID-19 patients occupying hospital beds in Clark County increased. As of May 12, 10.1% of beds had either patients with confirmed COVID-19 or patients awaiting test results, higher than the 9.3% reported the week prior. The health department reported 7.3% of intensive care unit (ICU) beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients, up from the 6.1% reported May 5.
New COVID-19 hospital admissions saw an increase in the latest data. In its May 12 report, the health department reported 6.6 admissions per 100,000 population in the past seven days, up from 4.2 admissions per 100,000 population reported May 5.
Total ICU hospital bed occupancy in the county increased as well. The health department reported 97.9% of hospital beds and 98.2% of ICU beds were occupied in the county, compared to 97.9% of all beds and 95.9% of ICU beds on May 5.
Clark County’s statewide share of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths stayed about the same as of May 12 compared to the prior week. The Washington State Department of Health reported the county had about 6% of cases and 6.3% of deaths.
