After nearly two COVID-free weeks, the city of Enumclaw appears to be experiencing a spike in cases.
When the pandemic started in the spring, Enumclaw experienced 70 total positive coronavirus cases between March 18 and April 21, according to King County. This spike in cases brought along with it 18 deaths, many — if not all — originating from local rehabilitation centers and long-term care facilities for seniors.
The rest of April and the months May and June were quiet — only 12 more positive cases and six more deaths were recorded.
But the Fourth of July weekend could have contributed to a smattering of COVID cases in July, with 15 cases having been reported in July and an additional 4 cases by Aug. 9; no deaths were recorded in this time period.
Enumclaw then experienced 13 days of no additional coronavirus cases, but the streak ended Aug. 24, when three new cases were reported.
Between Aug. 24 and Sept. 5, Enumclaw saw an additional 15 cases and one more death.
In total, the city has experienced an estimated 116 positive cases, 26 hospitalizations, and 25 deaths; according to King County, the percentage of hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19 in Enumclaw are higher than King County overall (Enumclaw’s hospitalization rate is 22.4 percent and death rate is 21.6 percent, compared to the county’s 11 percent hospitalization rate and 3.6 percent death rate).
Enumclaw Mayor Jan Molinaro encouraged Enumclaw residents to continue staying safe and following pandemic guidelines.
“Our most vulnerable population is still in jeopardy and as we move indoors because of cooler and rainy weather, it has been discussed by health departments that an increase in positive cases could develop. Let’s keep doing our part in keeping the trend line for cases decreasing both in Enumclaw and King County, by being vigilant,” he wrote in a Sept. 11 email. “Keep adhering to the sign postings by businesses to be wearing a face covering before entering. Utilize the sanitizing solution or sanitized wipes that businesses have placed at their entrances, as well as in your home…. [keep a] six-foot physical distance, wash your hands, [and] if you have one of these symptoms — fever, fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, headaches, or sudden loss of smell and taste — stay home and contact your healthcare provider.”
King County has experienced more than 20,000 positive COVID cases, 2,000 hospitalizations, and nearly 750 deaths; Washington overall has seen close to 78,500 cases, 7,000 hospitalizations, and 2,000 deaths.
