Health & Fitness
643 Coronavirus Cases In Washington, 3 New Deaths In King County
Confirmed COVID-19 cases in Washington have reached 643, including 40 deaths. Officials also announced new isolation and housing facilities.
SEATTLE, WA — State and local health officials confirmed 75 more cases of COVID-19 in Washington on Saturday, bringing the state's confirmed total to 643. Officials also announced three new deaths in King County, marking 35 deaths within the county and 40 statewide.
The biggest jump came in King County, which added 60 infections since its previous update on Friday, according to the county. The county now has 388 confirmed cases, according to local health officials. Snohomish County added 21 new cases, and Pierce County has seven more. (See totals below).
The three new King County deaths include a woman in her 70s who died at Swedish First Hill on Thursday; a man in his 80s who was a resident of Life Care in Kirkland, was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth and died Thursday; and another man in his 80s, also a Life Care resident, who died at Overlake Medical Center on March 8.
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King County officials also said Saturday that all residents at Life Care have now been tested. The senior care center had emerged as the epicenter for the coronavirus in the Seattle area, responsible for 27 of the county's 35 COVID-19.
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Local officials also tested 95 Life Care employees who were symptomatic for COVID-19, resulting in 47 positive tests, 24 negative tests, one that was inconclusive and five tests whose results were still pending. Another 15 to 20 staff were tested Saturday morning, officials said.
New temporary housing, isolation facilities
Meanwhile, King County officials said Saturday that three new county properties are being repurposed as temporary housing for people exposed, or at risk of being exposed to the coronavirus.
The arrivals hall at King County International Airport has been used since Friday to shelter men who usually shelter at St. Martin De Porres Shelter in Seattle. 80 men over the age of 55 were sheltered there Friday night, officials said.
A tent in the Eastgate Parking Lot in Bellevue will be used as an "isolation and recovery location" starting in about a week, officials said. It will include flooring, heat and 24/7 security and health staff.
An Issaquah Motel has been purchased by King County, with possible uses ranging from medical support for vulnerable people, isolation for people who don't need social support, or medical care for people who don't require hospitalization. The address, 1801 12th Avenue NW, appears to be the current location of a Holiday Inn.
COVID-19 infections by county
King: 388 cases (35 deaths)
Snohomish: 154 cases (4 deaths)
Unassigned: 39 cases*
Pierce: 26 cases
Island: 6 cases
Skagit: 4 cases
Yakima: 4 cases
Kitsap: 3 cases
Kittitas: 3 cases
Clark: 3 cases
Thurston: 3 cases
Spokane: 3 cases
Whatcom: 2 case
Grant: 2 cases (1 death)
Jefferson: 1 case
Columbia: 1 case
Grays Harbor: 1 case
*39 cases were marked "unassigned," meaning health agencies are still working to determine the appropriate jurisdiction for the illness.
People at high risk for complications from COVID-19 are:
- People older than 60
- People with chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease, lung disease and diabetes
- People with weakened immune systems
- Pregnant people
The Washington Department of Health has published these fact-sheets to help residents decide what steps to take:
- What to do if you have confirmed or suspected COVID-19
- What to do if you were potentially exposed to someone with confirmed COVID-19
- What to do if you have symptoms of COVID-19 and have not been around anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19
Who should get tested?
From Seattle and King County Public Health: "Not everybody who feels ill needs to be tested, particularly if you have mild illness. Healthcare providers determine who should be tested, based on specific symptoms. While testing is becoming more available, there are still limitations in the ability to quickly collect and process tests."
Related coronavirus coverage:
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