The rate of COVID-19 transmission in Grays Harbor County is the highest of any county in Washington state, according to the most recent data from the Washington State Department of Health.
The department’s COVID-19 data dashboard shows Grays Harbor County had a seven-day case rate of 73 cases per 100,000 during the last week of July, which amounted to 55 actual cases during that time period.
The case rate didn’t breach 20 per 100,000 until the end of June, then steadily rose to about 50 by mid-July.
As of Wednesday, Grays Harbor is the only county in the state with a COVID case rate categorized as “substantial” by the department’s dashboard, meaning the rate is greater than 50 but fewer than 100 cases per 100,000 people.
Thurston County has the next highest case rate in Washington with 46 cases per 100,000 people. The statewide average is 24.
Grays Harbor’s rate is less than half the number of cases reported during July of last year, and still fewer than reported during a spike in February. In January 2022, Grays Harbor County saw its highest case rate of the pandemic at more than 1,500 per 100,000 people.
“We’ve had way higher rates in the past, we’ve also had way lower rates, but it’s a spike from what we’ve been seeing,” said Emma Manley, epidemiologist with Grays Harbor County Public Health, in an interview Wednesday.
Public health had up to five active investigations at one time during the month of August into COVID outbreaks in the county, which is also more than usual, Manley said. The recent spike has not led to any COVID-related hospitalizations or deaths in Grays Harbor County in the past seven days.
The most prevalent COVID variant in the United States, EG.5, nicknamed “Eris,” accounts for 17% of cases. After a steady increase in the proportion of the variant during July, the World Health Organization classified Eris as a “variant of interest,” meaning it’s still a low public health risk, but will be monitored because of potential to increase cases and produce more severe outcomes.
Grays Harbor County Public Health Director Mike McNickle said an increase in summer gatherings has likely contributed to the recent COVID spike, a common occurrence since the pandemic began.
“The more you hang out with groups of people, who may or may not have COVID, you’re likely to get COVID if you’re susceptible,” McNickle said Wednesday. “The pattern speaks for itself throughout the last three years.”
While COVID tests at box stores are limited, Grays Harbor County Public Health supplies tests through the Timberland Regional Library system, said April Bachtell, healthy people manager for public health. She said public health is working with the unhoused population to reduce barriers and increase access to testing, and will continue monthly vaccination clinics, usually on the third Saturday of each month at the Aberdeen Swanson’s, which provide COVID vaccines among others.
According to DOH data, 63% of people in Grays Harbor County have completed the primary vaccination series for COVID, compared to 71% of people statewide.
Manley said she expects to see another spike in cases, both in COVID and flu-like illnesses, when school returns to session this fall.
View the states COVID-19 reporting dashboard here: https://doh.wa.gov/emergencies/covid-19/data-dashboard
Contact reporter Clayton Franke at 406-552-3917 or clayton.franke@thedailyworld.com.
