390 New Coronavirus Cases, 13 Additional Deaths In Washington

SEATTLE, WA — Health officials reported 390 new coronavirus cases and 13 additional deaths in Washington on Friday. Per the latest data, at least 69,779 patients have tested positive in the state since the crisis began, and 1,850 patients have died from complications linked to COVID-19.

Friday's figures were substantially lower than the 700 new cases reported Thursday, partially due to the removal of 97 results that were mistakenly included since July 28.

"The results were entered into our system as positive PCR test rules (which confirm an infection on their own) when they were, in fact, positive antigen test results (which do not confirm an infection on their own)," the Department of Health wrote. "We have changed the case classification and as a result, the total case count will decrease by 97 from our report on August 20. We have corrected the issue with the laboratory that submitted the results and in our system to prevent it from happening in the future."

At least 4,050 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 latest figures continue to show improvement in the daily number of illnesses reported. However, much of the state's counties still show a rate of cases by population much higher than the target threshold of 25 cases per 100,000 residents over 14 days. Since August began, several counties have moved closer to that benchmark, including Snohomish, Kitsap and Thurston.

The state Department of Health is in the process of changing how it reports negative tests, which will soon reflect all negative results, including those recorded among people tested multiple times. Until the upgrade is complete — expected in the next week — updated information on positive and negative tests is unavailable.

State responds to coronavirus outbreak at Bremerton hospital

The Kitsap Public Health District is working with the state to contain an outbreak of COVID-19 cases among patients and staff at St. Michael Medical Center in Bremerton.

According to state health officials, more than 30 COVID-19 illnesses have been identified at the hospital since the first case was reported late last week, affecting multiple units at the hospital.

"St. Michael provides vital services to our community and we are taking this situation extremely seriously," said Dr. Gib Morrow, health officer for Kitsap County. "Our team has worked closely with the hospital to notify people who may have been exposed and prevent additional illnesses."

The state dispatched infection control specialists to assist local public health staff and support the hospital's ongoing response in consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Public health officials have provided several recommendations, including testing for staff and patients, more robust screening measures and limiting all non-essential visits to the facility.

King County warns that coronavirus activity is too high heading into the fall

King County public health officials are warning residents to recommit to basic safety precautions as transmission rates and case counts remain well above target levels. Despite some improvement in flattening the virus's resurgence, daily case counts remain more than three times higher than they were in early June.

Since the virus arrived in King County, at least 18,334 patients have tested positive for the virus, and 710 people have died, accounting for more than 38 percent of the state's deaths.

Dr. Jeff Duchin, the health officer for King County, said tamping down on virus transmission now is essential to prevent a larger crisis in the fall months when more people will be indoors and infection becomes much more likely.

Adding to that concern is an approaching flu season.

"Although we can never predict the severity of flu season in advance, the idea, the prospect, the potential for a severe influenza season, or even an average influenza season, compounding the COVID outbreak is very, very disturbing and worrisome," Duchin said.

Since both diseases share similar symptoms at onset, patients will need to use equal caution until the coronavirus can be ruled out.

"We don't really know what the interaction between the two diseases may be, and it certainly will be tremendously confusing to have many people with influenza illness, which will look just like COVID at the beginning, and will need to be tested and isolated and quarantined if they develop influenza — as if they had COVID — until COVID can be ruled out."

Read more: Coronavirus Still Too Active Heading Into Fall, King County Warns

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.