Whatcom returns to making hospitalization goal as county records 47 new COVID-19 cases

Whatcom County’s daily average of newly reported cases the past seven days is 34.3, down from an average of 35.9 one week earlier (April 21-27).

To remain in Phase 3, Whatcom must make at least one of two goals set by the state on the next data evaluation date, which was originally scheduled to occur Tuesday, May 4, but was pushed back two weeks by Inslee:

▪ The first goal is for the county to have fewer than 200 new cases per 100,000 residents in a two-week period. Whatcom’s infection rate was exactly that — 200.0 — from April 14-27, according to the latest update of the state’s Risk Assessment Dashboard on Wednesday, meaning Whatcom is currently, but barely, making the goal. That rate did not change from the number reported Tuesday.

▪ The second goal is for the county to have fewer than five new COVID-related hospitalizations per 100,000 residents per seven days. Whatcom had 11 COVID-related hospitalizations (or 4.88 per 100,000 residents) from April 18-24 according to the state’s epidemiological curves. That means Whatcom is making the goal, according to data analysis by The Bellingham Herald.