2 New Coronavirus Cases In King County Confirmed Sunday

SEATTLE, WA — Two additional cases of COVID-19 — a new strain of coronavirus linked to China — were diagnosed in King County Sunday morning, bringing Washington its seventh confirmed case since Friday, officials said.

Latest: Second Coronavirus Death In Washington; More Cases Confirmed

According to King County Public Health, a man in his 60s is hospitalized at Valley Medical Center in Renton. The man has underlying health conditions and is listed in "critical but stable condition," officials said.

The second patient, also a man in his 60s with underlying health conditions, is hospitalized at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle. According to King County Public Health, his status is critical.

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State and county health agencies confirmed three newly diagnosed infections during a press conference Saturday afternoon, including the first known death connected to COVID-19 in the United States. The announcement marked the fifth case confirmed in Washington state within 24 hours, and the seventh since Friday. Among the recent cases, health officials said only one patient had recent international travels.

Public Health said a U.S. Postal Service employee is among the four previous cases announced in King County.

Previously Confirmed Cases Of COVID-19 In King County:

• A woman in her 50s who recently traveled to South Korea. She is recovering at home.
• A woman in her 70s, a resident of LifeCare in Kirkland, is hospitalized at EvergreenHealth.
• A woman in her 40s, a LifeCare employee, is hospitalized at Overlake Medical Center.
• A man in his 50s, with an underlying chronic illness, died at EvergreenHealth.

Previously Confirmed Cases Of COVID-19 In Snohomish County:

• A Mill Creek teen with no travel history or known close contacts. He is being monitored at home.
• A Snohomish County man who was diagnosed in January with the first known infection in the U.S. He has since fully recovered.

State and county health agencies said they expected the number of diagnosed infections would continue to rise as public health staff works seven days a week to process samples at a Shoreline laboratory.

According to the Seattle Times, an infectious disease researcher at Fred Hutch said it was possible there were "a few hundred" cases of the virus in Washington, pointing to research he had posted in a social media thread Saturday night.

Public Health said a team of 10 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention arrived in the Seattle area Sunday to assist local staff in meticulously tracing each confirmed case and their potential contacts.

"Public Health is leading the effort to as quickly as possible identify close contacts of these six confirmed cases," the agency wrote in a news release. "These close contacts may include family members, co-workers, emergency responders and other contacts."

Public Health Guidance On Virus Prevention:

• Do not go to an emergency room unless absolutely essential. Those with symptoms including a cough, fever, or other respiratory issues are advised to contact their regular doctor first.
• If you're sick, stay home.
• Commit to excellent personal hygiene, including regular handwashing, and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Monitor the latest information on COVID-19 in Washington and across the United States:

• Public Health Seattle-King County
• Snohomish County Health District
• Washington State Department of Health
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention