In the most recent reporting week of COVID-19 data, two people died of the disease in Lewis County, up from no new deaths in at least the last two weeks.
According to Meja Handlen, interim director of Lewis County Public Health & Social Services (LCPHSS), the weekly COVID-19 update for June 24-30 was delayed due to the Fourth of July holiday.
The report counted an increase to 186 new cases in the county, up from 179 new cases from June 17-23. The county’s rate of cases in 14 days per 100,000 residents now stands at 454.8, which hovers close to the statewide average at 487.6. Neither the county nor state is able to include at-home tests in those case totals, so actual numbers may be higher.
The total number of hospitalizations from the disease decreased by one, with 19 people being hospitalized with COVID-19 in the most recent report. The county’s seven-day hospitalization rate is over twice the statewide average, with 23.7 residents per 100,000 being hospitalized with COVID. The state average is 9.7.
The total number of outbreaks of COVID-19 in congregate care settings decreased from the previous reporting period. Currently, there are seven.
According to Handlen, the first COVID-19 related death in the county was recorded on April 3, 2020. From then until the end of 2020, there were a total of 29 COVID-19 related deaths recorded and reported by LCPHSS.
For the year 2021, 161 COVID-19 related deaths were reviewed and reported by LCPHSS. As of June 30 this year, LCPHSS has reviewed and reported 57 COVID-19 related deaths.
“There are several deaths across the years that are still being reconciled and thus not counted in reported numbers, and deaths that may have occurred in the past weeks that have not been listed by DOH for LCPHSS to review, reconcile and report,” Handlen said in an email to The Chronicle.
Between June 24 and June 30, 264 individuals were tested at the Lewis County Mall Discovery Health Test Site. In total, 10,413 tests have been administered there since the site opened on Nov. 26, 2021.
According to the report, 57.2% of all residents in Lewis County have initiated the primary vaccination series, with 52.0% of all residents having completed the primary vaccination series. Vaccines against COVID are now available for all people over the age of 6 months. Vaccine appointments and locations can be found at https://vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov/.
