Washington Confirms 369 New Coronavirus Cases; 16 More Dead

SEATTLE, WA — At least 11,152 cases of the new coronavirus have been confirmed in Washington, and 583 people have died, according to an update from the state department of health Thursday.

Thursday's numbers, which account for all known cases reported by Wednesday night, include an additional 369 illnesses confirmed since the day before and 16 more deaths.

According to the Seattle Times, a new analysis of testing at UW Virology indicates positive COVID-19 results peaked at the lab on March 28 and have trended downward in the weeks since, with some exceptions.

On Thursday, Gov. Jay Inslee renewed his call for rapid and widespread testing capabilities before the state can consider relaxing strict social distancing mandates.

Related: Influx Of Health Workers May Be Needed Before Nation Can Reopen

Inslee extends eviction moratorium, adds additional tenant protections

Inslee signed an extension to his statewide eviction moratorium Thursday, adding in new protections for tenants during the coronavirus crisis. The governor said his updated order will remain in effect through June 4.

Under the enhanced proclamation, landlords are prohibited from raising the rent on all residential units and cannot attempt to collect late fees or other charges related to non-payment. Landlords are also barred from moving non-paying tenants to less desirable units or threatening to take additional actions.

For commercial tenants, Inslee said landlords cannot raise rents for anyone "materially impacted" by COVID-19, whether the impact is personal, or if the business was deemed non-essential, or lost staff and customers during the outbreak.

The governor's office said all rent payments accrued during the moratorium will still be owed, but tenants must be provided with a reasonable payment plan based on their financial situation. Inslee's order forbids landlords from treating unpaid rent as "enforceable debt," unless they can prove in court that the tenant refused a reasonable offer.

Eviction protections are now extended to those staying in hotels, motels, Airbnb rentals, RV lots, public campgrounds and transitional housing.

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Unemployment eligibility expands in Washington Sunday

State officials are anticipating several hundred thousand people will apply for unemployment in the coming days after requirements for jobless benefits drastically expand Sunday.

During a press conference Thursday, the Employment Security Department commissioner said significant upgrades to the state's systems were expected to be complete by Saturday, allowing for a much larger segment of the population to apply for expanded benefits Sunday.

Newly eligible workers include contractors, self-employed people and employees who have not worked 680 hours during their base year. State officials said hundreds of staff members have been added to handle calls and assist new filers with questions.

According to state unemployment data, nearly 600,000 Washingtonians have filed new jobless claims since mid-March.

Department of Corrections names inmates scheduled for release

State corrections officials have identified hundreds of inmates slated for release to reduce prison populations and limit the spread of COVID-19. The state Supreme Court ordered the governor and the Department of Corrections to implement an emergency plan to address safety concerns last week.

Inslee signed an emergency commutation for inmates who committed non-violent offenses with a projected release date on or before June 29. In addition to the governor's commutations, the corrections secretary released a list of inmates who will be granted emergency furloughs.

A lawsuit seeking temporary release for thousands of inmates will be heard by the state's highest court on April 23.

More summer events canceled in Seattle

The Seattle Pride Parade and the Fremont Solstice Parade have been canceled after organizers for both events consulted with city officials and public health experts.

The three groups that organize Pride festivities throughout June said they reached a joint decision to cancel major events out of an abundance of caution and would work to plan virtual celebrations, to be announced later. Organizers said they hoped to hold in-person events later in the summer.

The Fremont Arts Council said its annual Luminata event, scheduled for September, was expected to proceed as planned.

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

Total confirmed cases: 11,152 (583 deaths)

King: 4,796 cases (320 deaths)
Snohomish: 2,020 cases (85 deaths)
Pierce: 1,016 cases (30 deaths)
Yakima: 667 cases (29 deaths)
Benton: 284 cases (32 deaths)
Spokane: 282 cases (15 deaths)
Whatcom: 262 cases (25 deaths)
Clark: 242 cases (14 deaths)
Skagit: 213 cases (6 deaths)
Island: 158 cases (8 deaths)
Franklin: 156 cases (4 deaths)
Kitsap: 132 cases (1 death)
Grant: 128 cases (2 deaths)
Thurston: 86 cases (1 death)
Chelan: 62 cases (5 deaths)
Adams: 39 cases
Douglas: 32 cases (1 death)
Jefferson: 28 cases
Cowlitz: 26 cases
Walla Walla: 26 cases
Mason: 21 cases
Lewis: 19 cases (2 deaths)
Klickitat: 16 cases (2 deaths)
Clallam: 15 cases
Okanogan: 14 cases
Kittitas: 14 cases
San Juan: 13 cases
Grays Harbor: 12 cases
Whitman: 11 cases
Asotin: 10 cases
Stevens: 7 cases (1 death)
Skamania: 3 cases
Lincoln: 2 cases
Wahkiakum: 2 cases
Columbia: 1 case
Ferry: 1 case
Pacific: 1 case
Pend Oreille: 1 case

334 cases remain unassigned to any individual counties. The state is still determining how to sort the hundreds of cases with no definite origin.

*Some numbers differ from the totals provided separately by county health agencies.

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