Washington Adds 700 Coronavirus Cases, 15 Additional Deaths

SEATTLE, WA — Health officials reported 700 new coronavirus cases and 15 additional deaths in Washington on Thursday. Per the latest data, at least 69,389 patients have tested positive in Washington since the crisis began, and 1,836 patients have died from complications linked to COVID-19.

At least 4,074 new illnesses have been confirmed in Washington over the last seven days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's case tracker. The latest figures continue to show improvement in the daily number of illnesses reported. However, much of the state's counties still show a rate of cases by population much higher than the target threshold of 25 cases per 100,000 residents over 14 days. Since August began, several counties have moved closer to that benchmark, including Snohomish, Kitsap and Thurston.

The state Department of Health is in the process of changing how it reports negative tests, which will soon reflect all negative results, including those recorded among people tested multiple times. Until the upgrade is complete — expected by Monday — updated information on positive and negative tests is unavailable.

Inslee says he's 'cautiously pleased' with recent decline in coronavirus cases

In a news conference held in Olympia on Thursday, Gov. Jay Inslee said recent indications show Washington is making progress against the resurgence of COVID-19 cases across the state. The governor said he was "cautiously pleased" to see a decline in cases over the last two weeks, as well as improvements noted in other data points the state uses to track overall disease activity.

"We've had some success on this because Washingtonians have masked up, they've been committed, business leaders have adhered to my order to make sure that people wear masks in retail spaces, and I think we're showing some success in that effort."

While the state's overall trends are promising, Inslee said there are still some regions where cases are continuing on the wrong trajectory, including in Pierce, Spokane, Okanogan and Walla Walla counties.

And while other counties have made welcome strides, and the state's rate of transmission appears stable, more work needs to be done to decrease coronavirus activity to the point where a sustained decline is possible and can be permanent. Inslee estimated the state is still seeing case numbers four times higher than they need to be and cautioned that after the state first successfully flattened the curve in late April, a dramatic rise in illnesses took place in June and July.

"We have to be honest with ourselves, to realize we are so far away from success on this, that we have to remain incredibly diligent," Inslee said.

Read more: Inslee: Progress Made Battling Coronavirus, But More Must Be Done

Updated regulations allow for the limited return of museums, bowling and tree farms

Updated guidance from the governor's office will allow more businesses to reopen for limited visits, for counties in the second and third reopening phases.

The changes allow for museums to reopen with certain restrictions in place, including limitations on capacity overall and within specific rooms. Timed ticketing or phone reservations are encouraged and galleries must allow for one-way traffic.

Bowling can return only for league play or league play practice, with two bowlers per lane. Spectators are not allowed and bowlers must stay six feet apart. Shows and bowling balls must be disinfected after every use and masks are required, even while bowling.

The governor's guidance also allows from "agritourism to return," including u-pick and tree farms. Fields should provide for one-way traffic and visitors cannot ride in groups. Any shared equipment, like wheelbarrows, must be sanitized between each user.

Read more: Washington Issues Guidance For Reopening Museums, Bowling Alleys

Total coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths by county:

The above numbers are provided by the state Department of Health, and some numbers differ from the totals provided separately by county health agencies.