Health district says COVID-19 cases surging in Chelan, Douglas counties

The Chelan-Douglas Health District said COVID-19 cases are surging locally and residents are being asked to take extra precautions, including wearing a mask in public when possible.

The health district, in a press release today, said the rate of new cases for the two counties is at 428 per 100,000 residents over the past two weeks.

“Which is a low estimate of transmission due to at home tests and reduced COVID-19 surveillance during the summer,” the health district said.

Summer activities, including the Fourth of July holiday, have contributed to already-growing number of cases, the health district said,

“We are currently seeing an increase in COVID-19 related hospitalizations in Washington State among vulnerable populations and are monitoring hospitalizations locally,” the health district said.

Confluence Health reported Wednesday that 12 people were being treated for the virus at Central Washington Hospital, with three of them in the intensive care unit.

Confluence said 10 of those patients were hospitalized for COVID-19 and the other two were hospitalized  for other reasons, then tested positive for the virus.

The health district issued the following suggestions:

• Wear a mask in public when possible

• Wash hands often or use hand-sanitizer

• Maintain your distance around others in public

• Get vaccinated and/or boosted

• Follow DOH Guidelines if you were potentially exposed to or test positive for COVID-19

• Report home test results to 1-800-525-0127 for access to COVID-19 Care Connect Services.

• Eat well and stay hydrated!”