Whatcom’s COVID case, hospitalization rates drop to early delta levels, but adds 3 deaths

Whatcom County’s weekly COVID-19 infection and hospitalization rates dropped to their lowest marks since the first days of the delta surge, but the county also received a reminder of the serious implications the pandemic continues to create on Monday. Three more Whatcom County residents’ deaths have been linked to COVID-19, according to the Washington State Department of Health COVID-19 Data Dashboard Monday, March 7, bringing the county’s pandemic total to 274.

Whatcom’s weekly COVID infection rate dropped to 125 new cases per 100,000 residents for the most recently completed epidemiological data from Feb. 20 to Feb. 26. That was down from a rate of 201 from a week earlier (Feb. 13-19) and the lowest rate the county has seen since it posted a rate of 123 July 30 to Aug. 5. In the 204 days since, Whatcom’s average weekly rate has been 388 cases per 100,000 residents.

Whatcom's weekly COVID-related rate also dropped to 4.8 patients per 100,000 residents for the most recently completed epidemiological data from Feb. 20 to Feb. 26. That was down from a rate of 11.8 from a week earlier (Feb. 13-19) and the lowest rate the county has seen since it matched that 4.8 rate July 29 to Aug. 4. In the 205 days since, Whatcom average weekly rate has been 13.5 patients per 100,000 residents. Additionally, St. Joseph hospital in Bellingham reported it was treating six patients for COVID-related symptoms on Tuesday, March 8.