Another 28 people have tested positive for novel coronavirus, COVID-19, in Clark County, and a fifth person has died. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Clark County is now 48.

A fifth Clark County resident – a man in his 80s – has died from COVID-19. He was previously hospitalized and had no known contact with a confirmed case.

Public Health is still gathering information about the 28 new cases and has only limited details to share. Here are the age ranges of the new cases:

• 20 to 29 years: 1
• 30 to 39 years: 4
• 40 to 49 years: 5
• 50 to 59 years: 7
• 60 to 69 years: 6
• 70 to 79 years: 4
• 90 to 99 years: 1

Details about the number of people who are hospitalized and whether cases had known contact with confirmed cases are not available at this time.

Public Health is in the process of interviewing all new confirmed cases to identify all of their close contacts. All close contacts will be instructed to stay home for 14 days after their last contact with a confirmed case.

The 28 new positive test results were reported to Public Health by a variety of health care providers and laboratories. Clark County does not currently have any outbreaks in long-term care facilities.

The results are from specimens collected in the last two to 10 days. Lab turnaround time for results varies.

“Two factors are likely contributing to this increase in cases,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County health officer and Public Health director. “First, we’re able to identify more cases because testing is available to more people than it was a few weeks ago. Second, the disease is spreading more in our community. We don’t know which is the bigger factor for the increase.”

People should assume the virus could be anywhere in the community and be vigilant with precautions to keep themselves and others healthy:

• Stay home and avoid unnecessary trips.
• Stay at least 6 feet from other people when in public.
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Stay home and away from others when sick.
• Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces that are frequently touched.

Symptoms and testing

While testing is available to more people than it was earlier this month, supplies remain limited in Clark County. For this reason, health care providers have to prioritize who receives testing. Not everyone with symptoms will be tested.

People with mild symptoms should stay home and away from others until 72 hours after fever is gone and other symptoms improve. People with worsening symptoms or those with conditions that may increase their risk for serious illness – 60 years or older, underlying health conditions or weakened immune systems – should contact their health care provider. Health care providers will determine whether patients need to be evaluated in person and tested for COVID-19.

Additional information about COVID-19 symptoms and what individuals should do if they have symptoms is available on the Public Health novel coronavirus website.

Public Health will continue to update its novel coronavirus website with new case numbers by 11 am daily. Updates will also be posted on the Public Health Facebook and Twitter accounts. News releases will be issued for other significant changes, such as clusters of deaths or cases, and other Public Health announcements.

CONTACT
Marissa Armstrong
communications specialist
Public Health
marissa.armstrong@clark.wa.gov