PORT ANGELES — Two new COVID-19 cases were reported in Clallam County while no new cases were reported in Jefferson County this weekend as the North Olympic Peninsula tries to avoid a new wave of cases happening around the state.
The new cases in Clallam County on Sunday mark 259 total since March, with nine active cases. The infection rate is listed at 25 cases per 100,000 population during the past two weeks, but county Health Officer Dr. Allison Unthank said that number will be updated today.
A rate of 25 cases per 100,000 is the top of the state threshold to be considered having a low-risk infection rate.
Jefferson County has had 77 cases since Marc and has six active cases. The infection rate is listed at 9.4 per 100,000, but with five positives in the county last week, health officer Dr. Tom Locke said the rate is closer to 18 per 100,000 during the past two weeks, still in the low-risk category.
Unthank warned in her weekly COVID-19 briefing Friday that it appears the state could be entering a “third wave” of new infections, though it hasn’t reached the Peninsula.
Locke agreed.
“It’s increasingly looking like a second wave or a third wave, depending on how you count your waves,” Locke said.
There was an initial wave of infections in March and April in Washington, then a major resurgence of cases in July. Locke said it’s debatable whether those were two separate waves or just one.
Locke is scheduled to provide his weekly update to the Board of Jefferson County Commissioners today at 9:45 a.m. That meeting can be viewed at www.tinyurl.com/ jeffcomeeting.
Locke said he and commissioners will take questions from listeners on KPTZ 91.9 community radio, and he expects to give updates on school reopenings in Jefferson County and on state preparations for the anticipated new wave of infections.
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Sports Editor Pierre LaBossiere can be reached at plabossiere@peninsuladailynews.com.
