Washington Adds 347 New Coronavirus Cases, 5 More Deaths

SEATTLE, WA — State health officials reported five additional deaths and 347 new coronavirus cases in Washington on Wednesday, with the highest daily totals seen in King and Spokane counties.

Per the latest data, 80,812 patients have tested positive in the state since the crisis began, and at least 2,020 people have died from complications linked to COVID-19. According to the state, approximately 248 patients with confirmed or suspected illnesses are currently hospitalized — a daily total that continues to trend downward.

At least 2,920 new illnesses have been confirmed in Washington over the last seven days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's case tracker. The number of new cases reported statewide has shown steady improvement in recent weeks.

Many of Washington's counties still show a rate of cases by population higher than the target threshold of 25 cases per 100,000 residents over 14 days. However, King, Pierce, Snohomish, Skagit, Kitsap and Lewis counties are now in the moderate range, between 50 and 75 cases per 100,000. Roughly half of the state's counties remain in the highest transmission bracket.

Health labs have processed at least 1,676,702 tests in Washington since the public health crisis began.

Inslee relaxes rules for weddings, funerals

Gov. Jay Inslee announced updated guidance for weddings and funerals Wednesday, restoring indoor and outdoor ceremonies and receptions for counties in the second and third reopening phases of the Safe Start plan.

Under the updated mandate, indoor and outdoor occupancy is capped at 30 guests, and wedding receptions cannot exceed three hours in length. Alcohol service and consumption must end by 10 p.m. For wedding receptions, tables must be seated by household and limited to five people. Face coverings are mandatory, and adequate physical distance must be maintained.

Read the full guidance on the governor's website.

State releases first report on case investigations, contact tracing

The Washington State Department of Health has released its first public report on COVID-19 case investigations and widespread contact tracing efforts involving state and local health agencies. The state's initial findings show room for improvement. Further reports will be released every week and eventually incorporated into the state's risk assessment dashboard.

According to the state's most recent data, spanning Aug. 30 to Sept. 5, case investigators reached just under half of the patients within a day of a positive test result. Among those reached, approximately 70 percent of their contacts were reached within two days. The state's goal is to reach 90 percent of cases within the first day, and 80 percent of contacts within two days.

Officials said staffing is not the limiting issue, but rather some resistance to provide certain information or even answer the call.

"While we expect our outcomes to improve over time, this initial data shows we have work to do," said John Wiesman, state Secretary of Health. "I urge all Washingtonians to call back right away if you are contacted by public health. Your participation can stop the spread of COVID-19 and helps keep your families and communities safe."

Case investigators are tasked with working quickly to track down those who may have been exposed to a positive case and advise them to stay away from other people pending test results. The state said common issues included missing phone numbers and other contact information, and calls that went repeatedly unanswered.

Wiesman said the state is also in the preliminary stages of piloting an exposure notification app, similar to those deployed elsewhere, with a formal announcement likely to come soon.

Total coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths by county:

The above numbers are provided by the state Department of Health, and some numbers differ from the totals provided separately by county health agencies.