Grays Harbor County health department officials on Monday reported 115 new cases of COVID-19. The updated total following the weekend comes after Friday’s one-day jump of 57 cases.

On Friday, health department officials said that day’s jump was a result of an “outbreak situation,” but would say no more about it then or following Monday’s high number.

The increase brings the total case count to 1,225 and the last two reporting days represents the biggest spike since the department began reporting the numbers back in April. Friday’s increase of 57 remains the most significant increase in reported new cases for a one-day total.

No new deaths were reported on Monday, keeping the total deaths related to COVID in the county at 17. The last death was reported on Nov. 22 and only two deaths have been reported since Nov. 5.

There are currently 216 active cases in the county with 331 active contact investigations.

The jump in numbers come at the same time of reports of an outbreak at the Stafford Creek Corrections Center in Aberdeen, where Washington State Department of Corrections officials confirmed the existence of an outbreak within the facilities walls, but wouldn’t say how many cases it involved.

“I can tell you that an outbreak is defined as two or more positive cases, so yes, (the situation at Stafford Creek) would be considered an outbreak,” said Rachel Noll, Washington State DOC Deputy Communications Director.

As of the time of this writing, Stafford has 85 inmates that are confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Friday. In addition, 16 Stafford Creek staff have been confirmed to have tested positive for COVID-19 as of Friday.

Further requests for information were not yet received at the time of this writing.

When asked if an increase in testing has had an impact on the number of cases being reported, health department Public Information Officer Nicklaus Falley acknowledged that while more testing is being done, it’s not enough to account for the increase in cases being reported.

“The state (online) state dashboard does show a recent spike in testing,” he said. “However, we do state right on our website that this is due to an outbreak situation. … For an outbreak situation as set forth by the state, which in most situations includes a lot more testing with these outbreaks.”

Falley declined to comment on the situation at Stafford Creek.

For more information, visit healthygh.org.