Coronavirus

Here are Tuesday’s COVID-19 case numbers for Pierce County

Pierce County reported 81 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday, with no additional deaths.

The county’s totals are now 38,237 cases and 499 deaths since the first confirmed coronavirus case was reported in March 2020.

The 14-day case rate per 100,000 is 140.2, with six-day data lag, down from 196.2 on Feb. 22. That data point offers the most reliable look at COVID-19 disease burden in Pierce County, according to health officials. Case numbers for the most part have been declining in Pierce County for a few weeks.

An estimated 3,300 cases remain active in the county, down from 7,200 estimated Feb. 1.

Testing is available at various places. More information on testing is available on the health department’s website.

GEOGRAPHIC TOTALS

Tuesday’s cumulative geographic totals with previous day’s totals in parentheses:

▪ Bonney Lake: 1,031 (1,027)

▪ Central Pierce County: 1,752 (1,748)

▪ East Pierce County: 1,702 (1,701)

▪ Edgewood/Fife/Milton: 1,534 (1,529)

▪ Frederickson: 1,392 (1,390)

▪ Gig Harbor area: 1,204 (1,198)

▪ Graham: 1,274 (1,273)

▪ JBLM: No longer reported

▪ Key Peninsula: 352 (350)

▪ Lake Tapps/Sumner area: 1,382 (no change)

▪ Lakewood: 3,150 (3,140)

▪ Parkland: 1,913 (1,906)

▪ Puyallup: 2,213 (2,205)

▪ South Hill: 2,161 (2,159)

▪ South Pierce County: 1,235 (1,234)

▪ Southwest Pierce County: 558 (554)

▪ Spanaway: 1,801 (1,797)

▪ Tacoma: 10,705 (10,691)

▪ University Place: 1,244 (1,241)

▪ Unknown: 1,634 (1,631)

VACCINES

As of March 20:

About 288,495 total doses given in Pierce County, according to the state Department of Health dashboard.

Among county residents, 20.27 percent of the population has initiated vaccination, and 12 percent are fully vaccinated.

More than 2.8 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been given throughout the state, and 84.9 percent of all doses received in the state had been administered. The current seven-day average is 46,103 vaccines a day, compared to the goal of achieving 45,000 per day. About 24.16 percent of the state population has initiated vaccination, with 13.83 percent fully vaccinated.

As of March 17, the state has opened vaccines for those in Phase 1B Tier 2, including high-risk critical workers who work in certain congregate settings: agriculture; fishing vessel crews; food processing; grocery stores; corrections; prisons, jails or detention centers; public transit; remaining first responders. Also included: People 16 years or older who are pregnant or have a disability that puts them at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness.

You can go to FindYourPhaseWA.org to check eligibility. Go to tpchd.org/vaxtothefuture for information on local sites offering vaccines. Or, go to the state’s vaccine finder: vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov.

The health department’s call center to help those eligible now for vaccines is 253-649-1412.

Pierce County has launched a call center to help those searching for vaccines. Residents who qualify within the WA State Phase Finder and cannot sign up for an event, can contact the call center at 253-798-8900 or email pcvaccine@piercountywa.gov for help.

PHASE 3

All counties in the state moved to Phase 3 in the state’s reopening plan as of March 22. Counties will be re-evaluated individually every three weeks with the next metrics released April 12.

Pierce County must meet two metrics to remain in Phase 3:

Fewer than 200 new cases per 100,000 over two weeks

Fewer than five new hospitalizations per 100,000 over one week.

Additionally, if the statewide intensive care unit capacity reaches greater than 90 percent, all counties will revert to Phase 1.

In the new plan, the county will no longer be a part of the 3-county Puget Sound Region with King and Snohomish counties.

Debbie Cockrell
The News Tribune
Debbie Cockrell has been with The News Tribune since 2009. She reports on business and development, local and regional issues. 
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