COVID-19 cases break 11,000 in county; Gig Harbor has 305, Key Peninsula has 91

Confirmed COVID-19 cases continue their upward curve in Pierce County, shooting from 10,000 to 11,000 in less than a week.

The trend included a worrisome spike in the Gig Harbor area, which went from 279 to 305 confirmed cases in a few days. Cases on the Key Peninsula rose from 79 to 91. Cases were reported in two Peninsula schools.

A total of 141 new cases and two new deaths were added on Friday, Nov. 6, bringing the Pierce County total to 11,049 with 201 deaths. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health department reported 1,518 cases in the last 14 days for a daily average of 108. The 14-day case rate per 100,000 is 168, which is near the top of the “high” range. The goal is fewer than 25.

Gig Harbor had 305 cases and 5 deaths; Key Peninsula 91 cases and one death.

As of Friday, Nov. 6, there were 62 active cases in the North Gig Harbor/Canterwood area (census tract 072505), 62 cases in the Wollochet area (census tract 072408), 44 cases in the Artondale area (census tract 072406), 14 cases in the Forest Beach-Kopachuck area (Census Tract 072405), 15 cases in the Sunrise Beach/Maplewood area (Census Tract 072506), 12 cases in the downtown area (Census Tract 072507) and 23 cases on Fox Island.

On the Key Peninsula, there were 38 active cases in the Wauna/Purdy area (census tract 072503), 20 in the Vaughn area, (Census Tract 072601), 17 in the mid-Peninsula (Census Tract 072602) and 17 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.)

The Peninsula School District reported Friday that there had been one confirmed case at Purdy Elementary School and an unspecified number at Peninsula High School. The district said there were no cases among the Kindergarten and first-graders who have returned to in-person learning. Officials were unable to give further details because of privacy issues.

This story was originally published November 4, 2020 at 5:30 AM.