The coronavirus curve appears to be plateauing across Washington

The number of COVID-19 cases in most counties across the state appears to be plateauing and declining slightly.

According to a recent report from the Washington State Department of Health, coronavirus case counts are plateauing or declining in Clark, King, Benton, Franklin, Pierce, and Yakima counties.

The reproductive number, or estimated number of new people that each coronavirus patient will infect, is hovering around one. If the reproductive number declines well below one, it would indicate that the infection rate is also dropping.

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Although cases are plateauing in several counties, coronavirus remains active in others. There are currently outbreaks in the Washington State Penitentiary, among off-campus college students in Whitman County, and in Kitsap County.

“While we see some positive trends in our data, we must continue to think differently about the ways we interact with one another,” said Secretary of Health John Wiesman in a press release. “It remains critical that we limit the size and frequency of our social gatherings, wear face coverings and stay home when we are sick. A continued plateau of cases is not enough to safely open schools.”