A seventh COVID-19-related death was reported in Grays Harbor County Friday by Grays Harbor Public Health.
As with previous reported deaths in the county, Public Health did not release any details about the case Friday. The last COVID-19 death in the county was reported Aug. 26.
Four new cases were reported Friday, the lowest daily reported total by Public Health since two cases reported Sept. 14. The case count stands at 479, with 67 reported during the most current week. There are 180 cases attributed to September so far, just shy of the August total of 188.
The number of active contact investigations is at 229 Friday, meaning those currently in isolation or quarantine. There were 25 new contacts reported Friday, with 91 active cases and 229 active contact investigations.
Monday, Commissioner Vickie Raines said the county’s incident response team discussed trends in COVID-19 transmission. She said that the exact numbers have not been firmed up by the county, only a small percentage appears to be community-based transmission — where no clear source of the origin can be traced — and an even smaller percentage can be traced to travel.
Asked about public concern over razor clam digs and other tourist activities that have packed county beaches, motels and RV parks lately, Raines said the numbers suggest those activities are not major contributors to the current rise in cases. Most of the current rise in cases have been attributed to outbreaks at several businesses, including some nursing homes, she said.
Raines and Public Health continue to stress the importance of wearing masks, washing your hands frequently, using hand sanitizer especially in common areas, and avoiding large groups or gatherings.
A disproportionate number of Hispanics have tested positive for COVID-19. The number Friday was 180 since the pandemic started, up 22 from Monday’s numbers.
Whites accounted for 253 cases Friday, up 15 from Monday. Hispanics make up only 10.2% of the population of Grays Harbor County but 37 percent of the cases, compared to 87.2% white in population with 52 percent of the cases, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
