Washington reports record number of COVID infections
SEATTLE - The Washington Department of Health has reported a new record number of COVID-19 infections tallied in a single day.
State officials confirmed 6,235 new cases on Dec. 24, The Seattle Times reported.
The state’s previous single-day record number of cases was 5,526 cases on Dec. 7, 2020. Dec. 24 also marked the first time Washington state reported over 6,000 cases in a single day.
The spike in cases mirrors that of other U.S. cities as the super-infectious omicron variant has become dominant and pushed daily counts past the peak of the delta variant wave.
RELATED: Omicron now dominant virus strain in King County, western Washington
State health officials also confirmed 3,847 new cases and 17 deaths on Monday, bringing the state’s totals to 834,235 cases and 9,801 deaths.
In King County as of Tuesday, the average count of daily cases increased to 1,987 infections per day. The new rate reflects a 213% increase in the past seven days.
COVID-related hospitalizations have increased 58% in the last week, Public Health – Seattle & King County said on Monday.
While more fully vaccinated people are testing positive, King County public health officials say unvaccinated people still have the highest risk of contracting and transmitting the virus.
Officials continue to urge people age 5 and older to get vaccinated and boosted and to continue other measures such as mask wearing to slow the spread of the virus.
RELATED: Record COVID infections reported in King County
READ MORE: COVID test sites close as omicron cases ramp up in King County
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