As the United States shot into first place for the most COVID-19 cases in the world Thursday, Clark County Public Health confirmed 28 new cases, more than doubling the local total. One local death was reported by Clark County Public Health.

Clark County now has confirmed 48 cases of COVID-19, accounting for five deaths.

Washington reported a 24 percent rise in cases from Wednesday. The state now has 3,207 confirmed cases, according to the Washington Department of Health.

“Two factors are likely contributing to this increase in cases,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County health officer and public health director. “First, we’re able to identify more cases because testing is available to more people than it was a few weeks ago. Second, the disease is spreading more in our community. We don’t know which is the bigger factor for the increase.”

The most recent resident to succumb is a man in his 80s, who was hospitalized and had no contact with a confirmed case.

Seven of the new patients are in their 50s, six are in their 60s and five are in their 40s. There are four cases involving people in their 70s and four in their 30s. One new patient is in their 20s, and one new patient is older than 90.