404 New Coronavirus Cases In Washington; 6 More Dead

SEATTLE, WA — State health officials reported six additional deaths and 404 new coronavirus cases in Washington on Friday, with the highest daily totals seen in King, Spokane and Pierce counties. Ten counties reported no change to their case counts.

Per the latest data, 81,602 patients have tested positive in the state since the crisis began, and at least 2,037 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 number that has held steady since for most of the week.

At least 2,731 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 among those in the moderate range, reporting 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 1,704,670 tests in Washington since the public health crisis began.

DOH, L&I issue 'joint hazard alert' for health care workers and patients

Citing a rise in coronavirus transmission among hospital workers, the state's Department of Labor & Industries and Department of Health issued updated guidance aiming to prevent further spread in hospital settings.

The "joint hazard alert" highlights health and safety requirements, including adequate employee training, proper use of personal protective equipment, social distancing, disinfecting procedures and details infection control programs.

"Health care workers are on the front lines of the pandemic caring for others," said Anne Soiza, an assistant director with L&I. "This Hazard Alert spells out what hospitals must do to take care of all of their workers to prevent them from getting infected on the job."

The memo highlights some of best practices and precautions that hospitals must maintain:

• Replace disposable respirators and procedural masks daily at the beginning of each shift and immediately upon employee request when soiled or damaged during the shift. Multiple shift use of disposable respirators/masks is not allowed.
• Train and ensure sick employees do not report to work and immediately leave work when they become symptomatic.
• Ensure facilities are adequately staffed with qualified infection prevention staff and resources.
• Provide adequate space and procedures for employees to physically distance at a minimum of six feet in break rooms, nurse stations, cafeteria and other spaces where they congregate.
• Maintain hospital-wide policies and procedures consistent with state and national guidelines as they evolve for COVID-19.

Read the full alert via the L&I website.

Related: 2 Patients Catch Coronavirus At EvergreenHealth In Kirkland

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.