145 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the county Monday bringing the cumulative total to 74,807.
The number of patients being treated for COVID-19 in a hospital continues to climb. On Aug 1, 26 patients with COVID-19 were being treated in a hospital. This represents 2% of the inpatient hospital beds in the county. As of Aug. 19, the number of patients hospitalized had increased to 64 or 5.1% of the beds.
One new COVID-19 fatality was reported Monday. Since Aug. 1, there have been nine deaths due to the coronavirus. The current death toll is 1,592.
The level of community transmission of the virus has increased from 39.1 on Aug. 14 to 91.8 on Monday, according to the county's COVID-19 information portal. The metric represents the number of cases per 100,000 residents in the past seven days.
The CDC defines low transmission as 0-9.99 cases per 100,000 residents for seven days, moderate transmission as 10-49.99 cases, substantial as 50-99.99 cases, and high transmission as more than 100 cases.
Public health officials stress the importance of increasing the percentage of residents who are vaccinated as the most important factor in slowing the spread of COVID-19. Vaccinations are currently available to anyone 12 years of age and older. More information about COVID-19 vaccines may be found online at the COVID-19 information portal.
