Local COVID stats go up and down

COVID-19 incidents are down slightly in Grant and Douglas counties while incidents are up in Okanogan and Lincoln counties, as well as in Washington State as a whole.

Here are the latest data for COVID-19 in Grant, Okanogan, Lincoln, and Douglas (GOLD) counties.

As of Oct. 6:

Okanogan County had 1,082 total cases, including 13 deaths.There have been 11 cases in Coulee Dam, five in Elmer City, and 25 in Nespelem. The county has had 17 new cases in the past 14 days, making for an incidence rate of 39.8,, up from 28.1 since Sept. 29.

Grant County had 3,123 total cases; 21 deaths; eight cases in the Grand Coulee Dam area; and has had 276 new cases in the previous 14 days, making for an incidence rate of 279.5, down from 296.7, on Sept. 29.

A new case from Grand Coulee was reported on Sept. 30.

Lincoln County had 60 total cases, including one death, and has had 11 new cases in the previous 14 days, making for an incidence rate of 100.4, up from 73 on Sept. 29.

Douglas County had 1,328 total cases, including seven deaths; 49 new cases in the past 14 days; an incidence rate of 112.8, down from 126.6 on Sept. 29.

Washington state as a whole has seen 90,663 total cases, including 2,165 deaths; 5,958 cases in the past 14 days; an incidence rate of 79, up from 68.7 on Sept. 29.

“We are starting to see an increase in the number of cases associated with community and social gatherings,” An Oct. 6 update from the Grant County Health District says. “Please remember to always wear a face covering when you are around people outside your own household including in retail stores, restaurants (when not eating), churches, and family or social gatherings. If you feel sick, even if you think it might be allergies or another virus, please stay home. Remember to wash your hands with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. We can all do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.”

Sources: Washington State Department of Health, Washington State Coronavirus Response, Grant County Health District, and Okanogan Public Health, Lincoln County Health Dept., Chelan-Douglas Health District.