The fourth wave of COVID in Grays Harbor County continues, with 200 active cases reported by Grays Harbor County Public Health since May 10, according to Maranatha Hay, the County’s Public Health information officer.

“We are still experiencing our fourth wave and encourage our community to continue wearing masks, practice hand hygiene, and remember to socially distance,” said Hay. “Our strongest defense is to keep up these safety measures and get vaccinated.”

The week of Thursday, May 13 through Wednesday, May 19, 163 cases were reported in the county. That included 60 cases reported Friday and 33 new cases reported Wednesday. That’s up slightly from the previous week’s total of 158. The rate of newly diagnosed cases over two weeks per 100,000 has risen to 337.3, up from 224.8 the previous week. The state rate as of Wednesday was 213.7.

A grim milestone was reached Wednesday, when the county’s 70th COVID-related death was reported. Two deaths were reported that day. That made five for that week.

Hospitalizations in the county rose by six during the week. Summit Pacific in Elma had 16 inpatient visits from COVID cases out of 64 total patients, according to hospital spokeswoman Nichole Pas. Four days during the week saw the emergency department at its 10-bed capacity, but not all from COVID cases; for instance, of the 10 inpatients in the department May 19, three were COVID cases.

At Harbor Regional Health Community Hospital in Aberdeen, “we only admitted one COVID positive patient this week, and none are currently in the CCU (critical care unit),” said hospital spokesman Chris Majors. “As of (Friday) morning we also had five beds available so we are seeing the ratio of patients to nurses decrease.”

Majors said these numbers “are very good indicators,” but stressed the importance of staying vigilant and getting vaccinated.

“You have the power to make a positive difference in your life and the lives of others by getting vaccinated,” he said. “It is likely to be a busy summer and we want our community to thrive and we can do that safely by all getting vaccinated.”

“Community” transmission rates remain high, accounting for more than 60% of the active cases over a week’s time earlier this month. Community transmission is the term for cases where the person tested does not know or refuses to report their exposure to a positive COVID case, said Hay.

Cases appear to be spread throughout the county. The week of May 15-22, the number of cases in the Aberdeen zip code went up by 45 cases to 2,121, compared to 36 the previous week. Cases in the Hoquiam zip code rose by 23 to 499, compared to almost 50 the previous week. The Westport zip code saw a marked rise of 25 cases, going from 104 cases the week of May 2-14 to 129 this past week. Meanwhile, Ocean Shores’ case count grew by only two. The Montesano case county rose by 12, Elma’s by 18.

The Ocosta School District, which had returned to online only learning May 10 after positive test results within the school and in the surrounding community, announced Thursday it would return to in-person learning Monday, May 24. Elma High School and East Grays Harbor High School announced it was returning to a hybrid two day a week model starting May 24 after increased COVID cases in the community. Those schools will remain in the hybrid model through the end of the school year, according to a Facebook post by Superintendent Kevin Acuff May 13.

Vaccinations

Starting Monday, “we will be having vaccination clinics at Grays Harbor County Public Health three times a week,” said Hay. Clinics are Monday, 12:30-4:30 p.m., Wednesday, 3:30-7:30 p.m., and Friday, 12:30-4:30 p.m.

The number of total vaccine doses administered in the county rose to 56,747 as of May 17, just shy of 3,350 more than the total a week earlier. Of the total county population, 40.45% has received a first dose, 34.45% is considered fully vaccinated. Of the population age 16 and older, just under 50% has had at least a first dose, and just under 42% has been fully vaccinated.

Vaccines are available all over the county at most clinics and pharmacies, and some are providing to walk-ins. Updated vaccine availability and locations can be found at vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov, just enter your zip code for locations and reservations.