Coronavirus Cases Surpass 7,500 In Washington; 26 New Deaths

SEATTLE, WA — More than two months into the state's new coronavirus outbreak, confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Washington surpassed 7,500 Saturday, including 310 deaths, according to the latest testing results released by state health officials.

Washington has now confirmed 7,591 cases of the coronavirus since a Snohomish County man became the first known U.S. resident to test positive in late January. The first instance of community transmission was announced on Feb. 28.

King County accounted for 12 of the new deaths announced Saturday, as the county recorded its 200th known fatality linked to the virus.

King County reduces jail population

King County’s Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) has reduced its number of people in custody by more than 600 in recent weeks, authorities said Friday. The reduction is part of an effort to avoid an outbreak of COVID-19 inside local jails, where inmates are seen as especially vulnerable to the virus.

"These changes allow greater social distancing within DAJD facilities, which can help prevent the spread of COVID-19," authorities said. "These changes also provide additional space for Jail Health Services employees to isolate people who are at higher risk of severe complications."

DAJD shared a website showing each day's population of people in custody and the number of coronavirus tests administered. So far, three staff members and no inmates have tested positive for COVID-19, according to DAJD.

Puget Sound transit agencies get a bailout

Suffering from deep losses in revenue caused by declining ridership during the coronavirus crisis, Puget Sound transit agencies will get a $500 million boost from the federal government as part of the new coronavirus stimulus package passed by Congress.

The roughly $538 million in funding from the Federal Transit Administration will go to King County Metro, Sound Transit, Washington State Ferries as well as some smaller systems, the Seattle Times reported.

The funding is roughly three times what Puget Sound agencies would get from the federal government in a normal year, but some transit officials say they will need much more financial help in the coming months, according to the Times.

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Americans should wear face coverings, CDC says

In case you missed it: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said all Americans should consider wearing face coverings in public, to prevent further spread of COVID-19. Medical experts say fabric or cloth masks, which can be made at home, serve as an added safeguard to keep wearers from unknowingly spreading the virus through respiratory droplets, which are produced when people cough, sneeze or even speak.

Seattle and King County Public Health shared a guide Friday, detailing the best practices to ensure masks are well constructed and properly maintained for maximum effectiveness. Public health officials note cloth or fabric masks do not protect the wearer from infection and adhering to stay-at-home orders and social distancing measures remain the best way to prevent illness.

Medical-grade masks, including N95 respirators, should be reserved for health care providers.

Learn more on the Public Health Insider blog and find instructions to make homemade masks here.

Confirmed COVID-19 cases by county (from the Washington Department of Health)

Total confirmed cases: 7,591 (310 deaths)

King: 2,865 cases (200 deaths)
Snohomish: 1,398 cases (45 deaths)
Unassigned: 1,216 cases (1 death)*
Pierce: 493 cases (8 deaths)
Yakima: 281 cases (6 deaths)
Spokane: 188 cases (9 deaths)
Skagit: 158 cases (4 deaths)
Benton: 147 cases (12 deaths)
Clark: 131 cases (8 deaths)
Whatcom: 129 cases (8 deaths)
Island: 121 cases (3 deaths)
Kitsap: 95 cases
Grant: 74 cases (1 death)
Thurston: 57 cases (1 death)
Franklin: 49 cases (1 death)
Adams: 23 cases
Chelan: 22 cases (2 deaths)
Jefferson: 20 cases
Cowlitz: 17 cases
Lewis: 12 cases
Mason: 12 cases
Douglas: 10 cases
Whitman: 10 cases
Kittitas: 9 cases
Walla Walla: 9 cases
Klickitat: 8 cases (1 death)
Clallam: 7 cases
Okanogan: 7 cases
San Juan: 7 cases
Stevens: 5 cases
Grays Harbor: 3 cases
Asotin: 2 cases
Columbia: 1 case
Ferry: 1 case
Lincoln: 1 case
Pend Oreille: 1 case
Skamania: 1 case
Wahkiakum: 1 case

Total tests: 87,918
Percent positive: 8.6%

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

Patch staffer Lucas Combos contributed to this report.