First Pierce County Coronavirus Patient Treated In Gig Harbor

GIG HARBOR, WA — The first Pierce County patient diagnosed with the new coronavirus is being treated at a Gig Harbor hospital, health officials announced Friday.

"We were expecting to get a positive case at some time — today's that day," said Dr. Anthony Chen, director of health for Pierce County. "We do expect that this is only the first of other cases."

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department said the patient is a man in his 50s who visited St. Anthony Hospital with pneumonia-like symptoms Wednesday. After flu tests returned negative, the hospital sent samples to the University of Washington lab in Seattle, where they returned positive for COVID-19. Health officials said they were still awaiting final confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to Chen, the man has underlying health issues but is listed in stable condition at the hospital and appears to be improving.

Health department staff is working to trace any contacts the man may have had with others before he was diagnosed.

According to an update Friday morning, at least 79 illnesses have been linked to the COVID-19 virus in Washington and 14 people have died. A majority of the infections have been in King County, and most of the deaths are associated with a Kirkland nursing home.

The News Tribune reports one patient from the senior facility was transferred Friday morning to Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup.

What is COVID-19? The Department of Health explains:

"COVID-19 is a new respiratory virus. There are no treatments for it. Most people will recover on their own, but some people can develop pneumonia and require medical care or hospitalization."

Symptoms of the new coronavirus are similar to flu or colds and may include:

• Runny nose
• Headache
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Fever
• A general feeling of being unwell

According to the Department of Health, people should take these steps to reduce their risk of getting and spreading any viral respiratory infections:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
• Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces.
• Stay at home and away from others if you are feeling ill.

Monitor the latest information on COVID-19 in Washington and across the United States:

• Public Health Seattle-King County
• Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department
• Snohomish County Health District
• Washington State Department of Health
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention