Outbreaks Down As COVID-19 Surge 'Falling Fast' In Pierce County

Charles Woodman
·2 min read

TACOMA, WA — Pierce County is primed for a major recovery. After weeks of stalling case counts and hospitalization rates, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department says it's sighing a sigh of relief, as outbreaks and COVID-19 transmission are taking a nosedive.

According to the TPCHD's latest update Thursday, outbreaks have declined a whopping 27 percent over the last week alone. All together, Pierce County saw 39 outbreaks responsible for 2,616 new COVID-19 cases this week, down from 46 outbreaks and 2,865 cases the week before. In particular, the health department says it is seeing fewer outbreaks at schools and large businesses, as the omicron wave deepens its decline.

"We’ve been seeing the clues for a few weeks," writes TPCHD's Michelle Fredrickson. "Now it’s finally happening. The latest and largest surge of Pierce County COVID-19 cases is falling fast."

According to the health department, other signs for optimism include:

  • A 25 percent decrease in the 14-day case rates per 100,000 Pierce County residents from Jan. 2 to Jan. 25.

  • A 38 percent drop in 7-day average daily cases from Jan. 13 to Jan. 25

  • and a 40 percent drop in the 7-day hospitalization rate per 100,000 residents from Jan. 10 to Jan. 25.

"These numbers are still significantly higher than our previous Delta variant peak in August, but our more recent data shows this trend continuing," Fredrickson said. "Our total cases dropped more than 30 percent this week vs. last week."

The decline in case counts locally mirrors massive improvements made across the state. At the Washington State Hospital Association's weekly COVID-19 briefing Tuesday, CEO and President Cassie Sauer predicted that the omicron COVID-19 wave would only last a few more weeks. That said, Sauer and TPCHD say that this is not the time to throw caution to the wind, and ask that residents tough out a few more weeks of COVID-19 safety restrictions.

"I want to be clear that better does not mean it's over. Cases are falling, which is terrific, but they are falling from an incredible peak, so they're still quite high," Sauer said. "We really don't want people to rip off their masks or go to big parties just yet."

While Pierce County waits out the omicron wave, the health department says residents can do their part to stop the spread by:

  • Getting vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19.

  • Getting their flu shots.

  • Wearing a mask in public.

  • Staying home if you feel sick.

  • Frequently washing your hands.

  • Getting tested for COVID-19 if you experience symptoms or were exposed.

>> Learn more from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department

This article originally appeared on the Puyallup Patch