COVID-19 rates continue to trend up

In Grant County, the two-week incidence rate was at 238 cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 residents as of July 21, up from 227 on July 7. 

The case rate was at only 26 cases per 100,000 residents on March 31.

A rate lower than 200 used to be the metric for whether a county could have fewer restrictions on businesses and events.

Official case rates are widely viewed as undercounted due to home testing kits and an associated lack of reporting.

According to the Grant County Health District, the Grand Coulee/Electric City area of Grant County has seen 358 total covid cases since the pandemic began, 15 more since The Star’s July 12 update, with additional cases reported on July 14 and 21. 

Three additional deaths were announced in the county on July 14, two men and a woman, one unvaccinated, two with unknown vaccine statuses, one with an underlying health condition.

They were residents of Moses Lake and Desert Aire in their 70s, 80s, and 90s. Their deaths brought the county total to 264 since the pandemic began.

One hundred eighty-six new cases were announced on July 14, and 492 new cases were announced on July 21, bringing the county total to 29,102 since the pandemic started. 

Six people were hospitalized with covid as of July 21, including people ranging in age from their 60s to 90s, as well as a child under the age of 10. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Spokane and Lincoln counties are at high risk for Covid, and people should wear masks indoors. Douglas, Grant, and Ferry counties are listed as medium risk, and those at risk for severe illness should talk to their doctors about wearing a mask. Okanogan County is considered low risk.