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Washington averaging 1,500 new cases of COVID-19 in recent days

OLYMPIA, Wash. — In the past few days, Washington state has had an average of 1,500 new cases, health officials said.

The Washington State Department of Health said Tuesday it is concerned about a rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations across the state due to the spread of the delta variant.

According to officials, hospital occupancy is at the highest levels seen to date this year.

“Higher vaccination rates across the state are needed to protect our communities,” said Secretary of Health Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH. “If there was ever a time to get vaccinated, it is now in the race against this variant.”

Officials said more than 94% of all cases, deaths and hospitalizations in the state who are 12 years of age and older can be attributed to people who have not been fully vaccinated.

As of Tuesday, there have been 6,000 new cases reported, following a backlog from July.

Positive test results have climbed to 5.5%, which the DOH said is up from a low 2% a month ago.

More than 600 people are hospitalized, which is an increase of more than 20% from last week.

Officials said the delta variant is the dominant strain in Washington and makes up about 76% of sequenced cases.