627 New Coronavirus Cases In Washington Ahead Of Holiday Weekend

SEATTLE, WA — Testing has confirmed another 627 cases of the coronavirus in Washington on Friday, according to the latest data released by the state department of health. The total is among the highest single-day increases announced since the pandemic began, but down slightly from the record-high 716 new cases confirmed Thursday.

Another 10 Washingtonians have died after contracting COVID-19, bringing the state's death toll to at least 1,352. A total of 34,778 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Washington.

The state has now tested 599,975 people for the coronavirus, of whom about 5.8% have tested positive.

Catch up on other recent developments:

After virus delay, Mariners are back at T-Mobile park

After the coronavirus and protracted negotiations between players and owners delayed Major League Baseball's season for months, the Seattle Mariners began practicing again at T-Mobile Park on Friday, ahead of a planned regular season start in later July.

Players and coaches started holding summer workouts Friday in what the league is calling "Summer Camp," instead of the typical spring training, the Seattle Times reported. The season itself is set to begin July 23-24, without fans in the stands.

One member of the Mariners organization tested positive for the virus ahead of Summer Camp, according to the Times, and some MLB players have already said they won't participate in this year's season due to the health risks involved.

UW coronavirus outbreak continues to grow

The outbreak of coronavirus cases along the University of Washington's Greek Row continues to grow more severe, with at least 117 residents living in 15 fraternity houses saying they have tested positive, the university said Friday.

The university said it is still attempting to very all of those cases, and that the true number may be even higher.

Soon after the outbreak became known to the university, it established a testing site within walking distance of Greek Row to encourage widespread testing.

"Within 24 hours, we set up a site nearby the Greek houses and apartments for students to come and be tested," said Lisa Brandenburg, president of UW Medicine Hospitals and Clinics. "Within the first day, we tested 430 students."

A pediatrician studying at UW told the Seattle Times he witnessed more than a dozen parties in the area since the pandemic arrived, with many students packed together and failing to wear face coverings.

Coronavirus cases 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.