Washington Coronavirus Cases Pass 1,500; 9 More Deaths

SEATTLE, WA — Confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in Washington have surpassed 1,500 as the state's death toll reached 83, state health officials said Friday.

In King County, which continues to be the epicenter of the outbreak in the U.S., public health officials recorded another 100 illnesses and seven deaths linked to COVID-19 Friday. Washington's most populous county accounts for more than half of the state's total cases, at 793, and a vast majority of its fatalities, with 67 dead.

The deaths announced in King County Friday were among patients in age groups ranging from their 60s to 90s. According to state health officials, at least 60 percent of the deaths linked to the virus have occurred in patients aged 80 and above.

An eighth COVID-19 death was confirmed in Snohomish County, and Whatcom County reported its first death Friday.

Related: King County Metro Drops All Fares During Coronavirus Outbreak

USNS Mercy, 1,000-bed hospital ship, may head to Puget Sound.

The USNS Mercy, one of the Navy's two hospital ships, could head to Washington next week, according to media reports. Gov. Jay Inslee and California Gov. Gavin Newsom both wrote letters to the Trump administration requesting the San Diego-based ship, but ABC News reports officials will likely send it northward to Seattle.

Inslee's office says there are no current plans for shelter-in-place order

Several media outlets reported Inslee's chief of staff reiterated Friday that the governor had no immediate plans to issue a shelter in place order. The Seattle Times reported that Inslee's office said people were already advised to avoid trips outside their home under current mandates, but left the door open for more executive orders, should they become necessary.

Q13 News reported that hundreds of people were seen on Seattle's Alki Beach Thursday evening, despite existing rules on social distancing and a ban on large public gatherings.

During a press conference Friday afternoon, Inslee said he would consider imposing more restrictions if people continued to ignore orders.

Unemployment claims skyrocket after hundreds of businesses ordered to close

KOMO News reports that new unemployment claims in the hotel and food service industries spiked nearly 600 percent last week, after Inslee ordered all bars and recreational facilities closed, and limited restaurants to take-out or delivery service only. The Employment Security Department told KOMO claims increased 570 percent for jobs in "educational services" and 256 percent in the arts and entertainment field.

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Seahawks and CenturyLink Field pledge pay for part-time employees

The Seahawks and CenturyLink Field will pay more than $700,000 to support wages for part-time employees in the wake of mass event cancellations. The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation and Vulcan Inc, chaired by Jody Allen, also pledged donations to help local causes and help employees in Seattle and Portland.

King County announces changes to jail operations to promote social distancing

King County corrections officials said Friday they were working with partners in the criminal justice system to reduce the number of people in custody and free up jail beds for inmates who "pose the greatest risk to public safety." The county said it stopped accepting people who were arrested for violating terms of Department of Corrections community supervision and began transferring King County inmates being held on DOC warrants back to state custody.

Leadership at the King County Jail said they asked law enforcement to prioritize bookings for violent crimes, to help create more space and maximize social distancing possibilities during the outbreak.

Corrections officials said jail populations have dropped by nearly 200 in King County since March 1.

"The county is exploring all options to further reduce the number of people in custody as quickly and safely as possible for the health of the entire community," officials said.

Coronavirus cases by county:

Illnesses confirmed statewide: 1,524 (83 deaths)

King: 793 cases (67 deaths)
Snohomish: 385 cases (8 deaths)
Pierce: 83 cases (1 death)
Island: 19 cases (1 death)
Whatcom: 10 cases (1 death)
Grant: 8 cases (1 death)
Clark: 6 cases (3 deaths)
Benton: 2 cases (1 death)
Chelan: 2 cases
Clallam: 1 case
Cowlitz: 1 case
Franklin: 2 cases
Mason: 1 case
Columbia: 1 case
Grays Habor: 1 case
Jefferson: 4 cases
Kitsap: 12 cases
Klickitat: 2 cases
Kittitas: 4 cases
Lewis: 1 case
Lincoln: 1 case
Skagit: 25 cases
Spokane: 11 cases
Thurston: 6 cases
Yakima: 7 cases
Unassigned: 133 cases*

*Health agencies are still working to determine the appropriate jurisdiction for cases marked "unassigned.

Total tested: 23,243
Negative: 21,719 (93%)

Helpful links from the department of health:

• What to do if you have a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 illness.
• What to do if you were potentially exposed to someone with confirmed coronavirus disease.
• What to do if you have symptoms of COVID-19 and have not been around anyone who has been diagnosed.