Pace of new COVID-19 cases in downward trend; Gig Harbor has 199, Key Peninsula 57

The rate of COVID-19 infection continued to slow in Pierce County this week.

On Friday Sept. 18, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department reported 51 new cases and no new deaths. That was a slight increase from the last few days, when cases ran into the thirties and forties. The total since March is now 7,339 cases and 163 deaths. The single new death this week was of a University Place man in his 80s with underlying health issues.

There were 199 total cases in the Gig Harbor area, 57 on the Key Peninsula, an increase of one in each place.

Pierce County has reported 470 cases in the last 14 days, for an average daily rate of 33. The Safe Start target is 16 or fewer. The county’s 14-day case rate per 100,000 is 52. The target is 25 or fewer.

As of Friday, Sept. 18, there were 40 active cases in the North Gig Harbor/Canterwood area (census tract 072505), 39 cases in the Wollochet area (census tract 072408), 21 cases in the Artondale area (census tract 072406) and 18 cases on Fox Island.

On the Key Peninsula, there were 24 active cases in the Wauna/Purdy area (census tract 072503), 13 in the Vaughn area, (Census Tract 072601) and 11 in the Lakebay area (Census Tract 072603), which includes McNeil and Anderson islands.

(Census tract numbers do not add up to the area total because some patients are presumed recovered.)

This story was originally published September 16, 2020 at 11:03 AM.