366 Coronavirus Cases In Washington, 4 More Dead In King County

KIRKLAND, WA —State health officials have confirmed nearly 100 additional cases and five more deaths linked to the new coronavirus, the department of health announced Wednesday. According to the latest numbers, 366 people have been infected with COVID-19 in Washington and 29 people have died.

Latest: Inslee Orders School Closures In 3 Counties Until April 27

Public health officials said 44 of the 99 newly-confirmed cases were in King County, and four of the five deaths were among residents from senior homes on in Kirkland and Redmond. Snohomish County reported its second death linked to the virus.

Three dozen cases were marked "unassigned," meaning health agencies are still working to determine the appropriate jurisdiction for the illness.

State health officials said more than 3,000 people have been tested for the virus in Washington.

COVID-19 infections by county

King: 234 cases (26 deaths)
Snohomish: 68 cases (2 deaths)
Unassigned: 36 cases
Pierce: 17 cases
Kitsap: 2 cases
Kittitas: 2 cases
Grant: 1 case (1 death)
Clark: 1 case
Island: 1 case
Jefferson: 1 case
Skagit: 1 case
Thurston: 1 case
Whatcom: 1 case

King County reports four more deaths, bringing total to 26

Seattle and King County Public Health said the four additional deaths since Tuesday were among three residents from the Life Care Center in Kirkland and one resident from Redmond Care and Rehab.

From Public Health:

• 234 confirmed cases (up 44 from yesterday)
• 26 confirmed deaths (up 4 from yesterday)

The four deaths being reported today were all among previously reported cases. These additional deaths include:

• A woman in her 90s, a Life Care Center resident, who died on March 3.
• A man in his 90s, a Life Care Center resident who was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth, and died on March 5.
• A woman in her 60s, a Life Care Center resident who was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth, and died on March 9.
• A woman in her 90s, a resident of Redmond Care and Rehab who was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth, died on March 10.

A spokesman for the Life Care Center told reporters Wednesday that all residents of the nursing home have been tested, and 63 returned positive results for COVID-19. At least 23 deaths linked to the virus in King County were among patients connected to the Kirkland facility.

Approximately 4 million Washingtonians affected by ban on large public gatherings

Wednesday's updated numbers arrived just hours after Gov. Jay Inslee announced a mandatory ban on most public gatherings with 250 or more people in the state's three largest counties. The rules apply to most events, including conventions, rallies, sports, church services, concerts and weddings. Grocery stores, restaurants, transit systems and airports are not subject to the same restrictions.

The governor said his office was not yet recommending widespread school closures, but Seattle Public Schools and the Lake Washington School District announced they would cancel classes for at least two weeks beginning Thursday. Seattle is Washington's largest school district, and Lake Washington is its fourth-largest, covering Kirkland, Redmond and Sammamish. Additional closures were later announced in Bellevue and Shoreline.

Seattle cruise season postponed

Seattle's cruise season, originally scheduled to begin April 1, has been postponed, and the first two sailings have been canceled, the Port of Seattle announced Wednesday. The first sailing of the year is scheduled for April 15, but port officials warned more cancellations may be possible, depending on guidance for local leaders and public health officials.

People at high risk for complications from COVID-19 are:

• People older than 60
• People with chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease, lung disease and diabetes
• People with weakened immune systems
• Pregnant people

The Washington Department of Health has published these fact-sheets to help residents decide what steps to take:

• What to do if you have confirmed or suspected COVID-19
• What to do if you were potentially exposed to someone with confirmed COVID-19
• What to do if you have symptoms of COVID-19 and have not been around anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19

Who should get tested?

From Seattle and King County Public Health: "Not everybody who feels ill needs to be tested, particularly if you have mild illness. Healthcare providers determine who should be tested, based on specific symptoms. While testing is becoming more available, there are still limitations in the ability to quickly collect and process tests."