Health & Fitness
9 More Deaths, 483 New Coronavirus Cases In Washington
The United States reported more than 36,000 new coronavirus illnesses Wednesday, surpassing the previous single-day record.
SEATTLE, WA — The state Department of Health added 483 new coronavirus cases to its official tally Wednesday afternoon, and nine more deaths were linked to COVID-19 in Washington. The latest deaths were recorded in Pierce, Snohomish, Franklin and Yakima counties.
Case counts continue to rise in King County, where at least 87 new illnesses were reported by the end of Tuesday. Across the United States, a resurgence in coronavirus cases surpassed the previous daily record, with more than 36,000 new infections reported nationally — led by Texas, Florida and California.
According to the latest available data, at least 29,869 people have tested positive for the virus in Washington since the outbreak began, and 1,293 people have died. More than 495,000 Washingtonians have been tested for the coronavirus, with 6 percent testing positive overall.
Catch up on the latest developments:
Washington not included in list of states with travel restrictions
On Wednesday, New York, Connecticut and New Jersey unveiled a list of more than a dozen states where visitors would be subject to mandatory quarantine, which initially included travelers from Washington.
The Seattle Times reports the states identified have especially high infection rates — above 10 percent — including Arizona, Florida and Texas.
During a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Gov. Jay Inslee said Washington's inclusion on the list was a mistake, and travelers from heading from the Pacific Northwest to the Northeast will not be required to quarantine. According to the latest data from the state Department of Health, Washington's testing positivity rate is four points below the threshold.
Travelers from WA will NOT have to quarantine for 14 days when traveling to NY, NJ or CT. We do not meet the risk criteria and were added in error. Washington has been removed from the list. https://t.co/ek7TvMuuDR
— Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) June 24, 2020
Thurston County joins third reopening phase
State Secretary of Health John Wiesman has approved Thurston County for the third of four reopening phases under Washington's Safe Start plan, restoring further businesses recreational activities, and public gatherings.
Under the third phase, restaurants can boost capacity to 75 percent, theaters can reopen at 50 percent capacity, and bars can reopen at 25 percent capacity.
With the latest approval Wednesday, 17 counties are in phase 3, and 17 counties are in phase 2. Yakima, Benton and Franklin counties remain in phase 1. No Washington counties have reached the state's final phase, which restores concerts, sporting events and other large public gatherings.
Read more: Thurston County Approved To Enter Phase 3
Inslee releases guidance for colleges in the fall
The governor on Wednesday released new guidance for universities planning to hold in-person classes during the fall semester. Under Inslee's proclamation, colleges will need to implement several precautionary measures, including mandatory face coverings for students and staff, limits on class sizes and physical distancing.
Students and employees who feel ill will be required to stay home and confirm they do not have potential COVID-19 symptoms before returning to campus.
Read more: Washington Outlines How Colleges, Universities Can Return In Fall
Coronavirus cases by county:
| County | Confirmed Cases | Hospitalizations | Deaths |
| Adams | 109 | 8 | 0 |
| Asotin | 20 | 1 | 2 |
| Benton | 1,524 (+61) | 189 (+2) | 76 |
| Chelan | 293 (+4) | 19 | 6 |
| Clallam | 33 | 3 | 0 |
| Clark | 671 (+11) | 99 (+1) | 30 |
| Columbia | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Cowlitz | 153 (+4) | 18 (-1) | 0 |
| Douglas | 205 (+10) | 12 | 3 |
| Ferry | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Franklin | 1,406 (+71) | 130 (+2) | 31 (+1) |
| Garfield | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Grant | 414 (+9) | 37 (+1) | 6 |
| Grays Harbor | 24 (+1) | 8 | 0 |
| Island | 188 (+1) | 32 | 12 |
| Jefferson | 35 (+2) | 7 | 0 |
| King | 9,453 (+87) | 1,738 (+7) | 604 |
| Kitsap | 198 (+3) | 28 | 2 |
| Kittitas | 109 (+9) | 3 (+1) | 0 |
| Klickitat | 55 (+2) | 8 | 3 |
| Lewis | 52 (+2) | 13 | 3 |
| Lincoln | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Mason | 43 | 5 | 1 |
| Okanogan | 63 | 5 | 2 |
| Pacific | 13 | 2 | 1 |
| Pend Orielle | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Pierce | 2,361 (+40) | 396 | 96 (+3) |
| San Juan | 20 (+1) | 1 | 0 |
| Skagit | 488 (+2) | 56 | 15 |
| Skamania | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Snohomish | 3,346 (+17) | 596 (+1) | 165 (+1) |
| Spokane | 1,069 (+48) | 109 (+1) | 38 |
| Stevens | 16 | 4 | 1 |
| Thurston | 226 (+5) | 35 | 7 |
| Wahkiakum | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Walla Walla | 144 | 12 (+3) | 3 |
| Whatcom | 554 (+33) | 52 | 40 |
| Whitman | 30 | 0 | 0 |
| Yakima | 6,490 (+55) | 464 (+7) | 146 (+4) |
| Unassigned | 43 (+7) | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 29,869 | 4,093 | 1,293 |
The above numbers are provided by the state Department of Health, and some numbers differ from the totals provided separately by county health agencies.
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