Public health officials urge precautionary measures, vaccinations as COVID-19 cases continue to rise

Governor Jay Inslee says Washington is seeing the early stages of a fourth surge in some cases

VANCOUVER – Public health urges Clark Counties to continue taking steps to slow the spread of COVID-19, including vaccination, as the number of cases continues to rise.

The number of cases is increasing in all age groups, but the largest increase is seen in young adults between the ages of 20 and 49. The smallest increase is seen in people aged 65 and over, who have the highest COVID-19 vaccination rates in the county. File photo

For the past seven days, Clark County has recorded an average of 80 new cases per day – up from 69 new cases per day for the past seven days. Last month around this time, Clark County had an average of 43 new cases a day.

While the number of Clark County’s vaccinated residents increases daily, much of the community is still unprotected. In Clark County, approximately 32 percent of people have received at least one dose, and approximately 22 people are fully vaccinated.

“The more people who are vaccinated against COVID-19, the fewer people can become infected and there are fewer opportunities to spread through our community,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County Health Commissioner and Director of Public Health. “We need to take more steps to slow the spread of COVID-19 – wear face-covering, keep physical distance and avoid large gatherings – until we can vaccinate more people.”

“If you haven’t been vaccinated, now is the time to make your appointment,” added Melnick. “COVID-19 vaccine appointments are widespread in doctor’s offices, pharmacies, and community vaccination centers.”

During a press conference on Thursday, Washington Governor Jay Inslee described the situation as “just too dangerous to continue”. Inslee asked residents of the state to get vaccinated, wear masks, and keep their distance.

“Unfortunately, we are now seeing the beginning of a fourth surge in Washington state,” said Governor Inslee during a press conference Thursday. “And unfortunately we’re starting at a higher level than where the other waves started.”

For more information on accessing vaccine appointments, please visit Public Health’s COVID-19 vaccine website.

Clark County Public Health officials stated that “COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19. Early data also suggest that the vaccines are effective against the B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

“Variant B.1.1.7, which spreads easier and faster than other variants, was documented in Clark County. The state’s Department of Health estimates that around 50 to 60 percent of all COVID-19 cases in the state are due to variant B.1.1.7. ”

Increase in virus activity

Clark County’s COVID-19 activity rate this week is 147.6 cases per 100,000 people over 14 days. If the trend of rising case numbers continues, the county’s COVID-19 activity rate is on track to soon exceed 200 cases per 100,000 people.

To stay in Phase 3 of the state’s Roadmap to Recovery reopening plan, the county must meet at least one of two criteria: a rate of fewer than 200 cases per 100,000 people over 14 days, or a rate of fewer than 5 new hospital admissions per 100,000 people over seven days. On Monday, the district’s hospitalization rate was 2.4 new admissions per 100,000 people.

The state will next assess the counties on Monday May 3rd, with all phase changes going into effect on Friday May 7th.

Information in this report was provided by Clark Co. WA Communications.