3 More Coronavirus Deaths In Pierce County, 35 Cases

PIERCE COUNTY, WA — After a day with no deaths Wednesday, Thursday health officials reported three new deaths in Pierce County due to the coronavirus. The county also reported 35 new cases for a total of 1,625 coronavirus cases since the outbreak began. Of the patients who are still sick with the virus, 25 have had to be hospitalized for serious treatment.

All three of the recently dead were Tacoma residents with underlying health conditions. They have been identified as a man in his 50s, a woman in her 60s and a man in his 70s. Out of the now 57 Pierce County residents who have died due to the pandemic, 52 had underlying health conditions that complicated treatment.

Statewide Thursday Washington reported 326 new cases of the coronavirus and 21 deaths, for a total of 16,231 infections and 891 total dead. The state has now tested a total of 230,680 people for the virus, meaning about 7 percent of people who take the test are found to have the virus.

A positive sign in unemployment numbers

For the first time in months, Thursday the Employment Security Department reported that the total number of unemployment claims was less than the week before. It's good news but not necessarily a sign the state is in the clear yet: over 100,762 new applicants applied for unemployment last week, more than 18 times the number of people who applied this time last year.

Employment Security Commissioner Suzi Levine says that since the coronavirus outbreak began in early March, the state has paid $2.14 billion to Washingtonians filing for unemployment. The state also notes that roughly 57,000 have applied, but issues with their claims are still being resolved before they can receive benefits.

Including ongoing unemployment claims, 1,086,031 Washingtonians claimed unemployment benefits last week, down from 1,455,908 the week before.

Read more: Unemployment Claims Dip, But WA Unemployment Remains High

Mental health concerns as outbreak drags on

State psychologists estimate that as many as two to three million Washingtonians will suffer some sort of mental health struggle because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Behavioral health experts say the long-term emotional stress from the pandemic and lockdown could lead to stress, depression, anxiety or other disorders. Some may even begin "acting out," through substance abuse, potential violence and illegal behavior. Others may withdraw, isolating themselves from friends and family and indulging in feelings of hopelessness.

Doctors created their estimates by studying the patterns of mental health issues left in the wake of other large disasters, including 9/11. But unlike other disasters in recent history, researchers say this crisis is different because of the prolonged bouts of social isolation and economic anxiety caused by layoffs and store closures.

Experts warn the worst of it is still yet to come. Typically when a disaster strikes communities actually feel better at first: a sense of heroism and of people coming together to meet a common challenge can lead to a sort of 'honeymoon' phase after a disaster. But right now, experts say Washington is about to move past the honeymoon, and could end up in a deep pit of depression and disillusionment over the next three to six months.

Read more: Washington Prepares For Mental Health Impacts Of Coronavirus

61 percent of deaths linked to health care facilities

250 health care facilities across Washington have reported at least one case of the coronavirus, and 61 percent of all the coronavirus-related deaths statewide have now been linked to long-term care facilities in one way or another.

Of the facilities with confirmed coronavirus cases, 94 were assisted living homes, 76 were nursing homes, 51 were adult family homes and 30 supported living providers.

As of Wednesday, 507 deaths were linked to long term care facilities, as were 2,894 confirmed cases of the virus. That means just under one in five people who have been infected with the virus live or work in a long-term care facility.

Read more: 61% Of Washington Coronavirus Deaths Linked To Care Facilities

New rules for car sales, religious services

As part of phase one of Washington's Safe Start reopening plan, drive-in religious services and boat and vehicle sales can resume.

Car and boat dealerships returning to work are required to follow a few new regulations: sellers have to communicate with customers through phone or email first, then when the buyer arrives sellers have to wear face masks and gloves, and approproately sanitize all hard surfaces on the car or boat. Trade-in vehicles must also be completely sanitized before they are appraised.

Drive-in religious services also have a few key stipulations: parishioners must remain in their cars at all times with the windows, sunroofs and tops closed unless parked 6 feet or more from any other car. Cars also cannot have more than 10 people, and should only include people from the same household. Food and drinks cannot be served before, after, or during the service.

Read more: New Rules For Vehicle Sales, Religious Services In Washington

MultiCare to furlough 6,000 workers

Even some health care providers are having a tough time staying in business due to the pandemic. Thursday MultiCare unveiled a plan to furlough 6,000 of their employees for 17 shifts each. The shifts can be taken at once or spaced out, they equate to one shift lost per pay period through the end of 2020.

The company says the majority of the affected employees do not work in MultiCare clinics. There are MultiCare facilities across Washington, with locations in Puyallup, Gig Harbor, Tacoma, Kirkland, Seattle and more.

MultiCare says they've lost around $160 million since the outbreak began.

Read more: MultiCare Announces Furloughs for 6,000 Employees

Coronavirus cases by city

The number of coronavirus cases in Pierce County can be broken down by area as follows: