2nd Coronavirus Death In Pierce County; 155 Cases Confirmed

PIERCE COUNTY, WA — A second person has died from the new coronavirus in Pierce County and 155 cases of the illness have now been confirmed in the county, including in two staff members at Western State Hospital, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.

The department said the victim was a resident of Spanaway in his 70s who had underlying health conditions that complicated his treatment. The man passed away at the MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup.

Doctors say the man's death is a reminder of how dangerous the virus can be for people over 60, those who are pregnant or who are high risk because of other medical factors.

The county is also reporting 17 new confirmed cases of the disease, bringing the total number of cases in Pierce County to 155. Overall Pierce County has tested 2,896 people for COVID-19, meaning just over 5 percent of tests are coming back positive.

Two of the cases confirmed Wednesday were staff at Western State Hospital. Prior to the two cases in health care worked confirmed Wednesday, one hospital employee and two patients had previously tested positive for the virus. Now with five total cases confirmed at the hospital, hospital employee union representatives say they're concerned Western could "become another tragedy similar to what happened at Life Care Center of Kirkland."

The county's first coronavirus-related death was reported in Puyallup, which is also home to the second-largest number of confirmed cases in the county.

In total, confirmed cases are spread as follows:

• Tacoma: 62 cases
• Puyallup: 28 cases
• Gig Harbor: 13 cases
• South Pierce County: 12 cases
• Lakewood: 9 cases
• University Place: 8 cases
• North Pierce County: 7 cases
• East Pierce County: 6 cases
• Bonney Lake: 5 cases
• North East Pierce County: 3 cases
• West Pierce County: 2 cases

Of all 155 cases, 35 percent of cases are in patients 60 or older.