Clark County reports three new COVID-19 deaths, 258 new confirmed and probable cases

Mark Bowder, The Columbian, Vancouver, Wash.
·2 min read

Apr. 19—Clark County reported three new deaths from COVID-19 and 258 new confirmed and probable cases since Friday as an upward trend in disease activity continues.

The three deaths were a man in his 70s, a woman in her 70s and a man age 80 or older, according to Clark County Public Health. All three had underlying conditions.

The deaths bring the county's total to 252. There were four deaths reported last week, three deaths the previous week and one the week ending April 2. Deaths are added to the county's total 10 to 12 days after they occur.

Public Health reported 203 new confirmed COVID-19 cases since Friday, pushing the county's total to 20,459. The county averaged about 68 new cases a day since Friday, up from an average of about 59 cases a day last week and about 46 cases a day the week before that, according to Public Health data.

Additionally, Public Health reported 55 new probable COVID-19 cases, pushing that total to 854 to date. The county began reporting probable cases last week, counting cases diagnosed with antigen testing, which is considered faster but less accurate than the molecular (PCR) testing used to diagnose confirmed cases.

The number of active cases, which counts both confirmed and active cases still in their isolation period, rose to 540 on Monday, up from 517 on Friday, according to Public Health.

Hospitalizations were mixed, with 19 people hospitalized with COVID-19 on Monday, down from 21 on Friday, and five people hospitalized awaiting test results, up from three on Friday, according to Public Health data.

Anyone age 16 or older is now qualified to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. As of April 14, the Washington State Department of Health reported that 151,507 people — or 30.35 percent of the county's population — had received their initial dose of the vaccine and that 103,949 people — or 20.82 percent of the population — was fully vaccinated.

To schedule an appointment, visit the Safeway/Albertsons website. The scheduling link is also available on the Public Health COVID-19 vaccine webpage, as is the Washington Department of Health's 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.