Coronavirus Cases Cross 1,000 In Washington; 55 Dead

SEATTLE, WA — The number of confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in Washington surpassed 1,000 Tuesday, as the state's death toll topped 50, according to state Department of Health data. King County remains the most concentrated area for COVID-19 infections and patient deaths linked to the virus.

In a news release Tuesday, Seattle and King County Public Health announced three additional deaths in King County, bringing the county's death toll to 46, and 30 new illnesses, increasing the total number of cases to 518. State data placed King County's number of infections higher, which a Department of Health spokesperson said was likely a result of where patients were tested:

"Cases from laboratories are automatically assigned to counties. When there is unassigned county of residence information, sometimes labs will assign to a county based on information they have at the time—which may be the county they were tested in or the county of the provider they were tested in—even if the individual is not a resident of that county. Often counties will have more accurate information in terms of county of residence, and between confirming with the county and labs, overtime our number vs. the county numbers will match."

Snohomish County has confirmed 254 cases and six deaths, and 45 patients in Pierce County have tested positive for the virus.

Related: Coronavirus In Pierce County: Latest Developments

Researchers say the real number of infections, including those that have gone undetected, is likely much higher, although the majority of illnesses will not present serious complications for most.

Public health officials say the number of cases could double every week if social distancing requirements are not followed.

Three more deaths in King County, 30 new cases confirmed Tuesday

Among the new illnesses confirmed in King County Tuesday are a correctional officer and a public health worker who was involved in the coronavirus response. Health officials said the corrections officer did not show symptoms while working and the public health employee had self-isolated while awaiting test results.

Three additional deaths were linked to the virus in King County since Monday:

• A man in his 70s died at Valley Medical Center on March 16
• A man in his 90s died at EvergreenHealth on March 16
• A woman in her 70s died at EvergreenHealth on March 13.

King County halts all evictions, Seattle pauses homeless sweeps

King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht wrote a letter to a judge Tuesday saying her office would immediately stop enforcing court-ordered evictions until further notice.

"This is no time to be putting vulnerable people and families on the street without shelter," Johanknecht said in a statement.

The sheriff added it was not possible for deputies to maintain social distancing practices while serving evictions.

In Seattle, the city's Navigation Team said it has paused homeless encampment sweeps unless they present "an extreme circumstance," or "an extraordinary public safety hazard," the Seattle Times reported.

In Snohomish County, Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin announced a moratorium on all evictions Tuesday afternoon.

Inslee signs funding package for coronavirus efforts

Gov. Jay Inslee signed five bills related to the COVID-19 outbreak Tuesday afternoon, including $200 million in funding for state agencies, local governments and tribal governments to help curtail the spread of the virus. The governor's office said that money will also be used to help build hospital capacity and expand testing options statewide.

Another law will cuts down on credentialing delays for health care workers, in an effort to bolster Washington's medical workforce to provide for an influx of patients.

Read more about the new laws here.

Cases by county

King: 569 cases (46 deaths)
Snohomish: 254 cases (6 deaths)
Pierce: 45 cases
Clark: 4 cases (2 deaths)
Columbia: 1 case
Grant: 7 cases (1 death)
Grays Habor: 1 case
Island: 14 cases
Jefferson: 3 cases
Kitsap: 7 cases
Kittitas: 3 cases
Lewis: 1 case
Lincoln: 1 case
Skagit: 9 cases
Spokane: 4 cases
Thurston: 5 cases
Whatcom: 6 cases
Yakima: 6 cases

Unassigned: 70 cases*

Total Tested: 14,129
Negative: 13,117

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

The state has launched a new coronavirus response page, organizing the latest guidance for families, businesses and travelers.