COVID-19 activity in Lewis County saw a slight dip the week of Sept. 26 to Oct 2, according to a new report published this week by Lewis County Public Health & Social Services.
Lewis County saw 250 new cases of the viral disease, a decrease of one case compared with the prior week’s report; 23 residents were admitted into hospitals, a decrease of three; and two deaths were reported.
According to Public Health & Social Services, there are still 11 deaths unaccounted for since last week that the department is currently working to review and confirm the status of.
While Lewis County could be trending in a positive direction, COVID-19 transmission and hospitalizations still remain at elevated rates higher than the state average. The rate of transmission last week stood at 679.1 new cases per 100,000 people reported within the last two weeks. Lewis County’s seven-day COVID-19 hospitalizations rate is also currently triple the state average, though Lewis County Public Health & Social Services Director JP Anderson said that is on the decline.
“We’re not out of the woods yet, but we’re moving forward and things are improving,” Anderson said.
COVID-19 activity in Lewis County also remains higher than what was seen last winter.
In a call with Providence Medical Group Southwest Washington and East Lewis County health care provider Arbor Health, Anderson said they relayed they were seeing a decrease in demand for care associated with COVID-19 infections. They also saw a decline in hospitalizations for the first time in quite a while, Anderson said.
“We could hear they were having some tangible reduction in the COVID demand and that was helping their facilities,” Anderson said. “That was great to hear. That was a very meaningful update from them last week.”
Due to demand, Public Health & Social Services is currently operating a clinic exclusively for K-12 student COVID-19 testing at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds. That clinic, now in its second week of operation, will pivot toward offering appointment only testing four days a week instead of the original two days a week.
So far, the clinic has tested 32 students over four days of operation. The clinic is being held in collaboration with Bird’s Eye Medical through a contract with the county that has been in place for many months on testing and COVID-19 vaccination efforts. It’s expected to remain open through at least the beginning of next year.
Anderson said public schools should expect to see updated guidance this week from the state Department of Health that shortens the timeline for students to return to school after receiving a negative COVID-19 test.
The total number of deaths from COVID-19 in Lewis County now stands at 109 individuals. Hospitalizations have totaled 730, cases 9,134 and long-term care facility outbreaks 49.
