7th virus death, schools to mull online classes

SEATTLE (AP) — Washington state reported a seventh death from coronavirus as schools in the Seattle area mulled teaching students online in the event of prolonged closures over health concerns.

The schools took the steps after researchers said the virus that causes the disease called COVID-19 may have been circulating for weeks undetected in Washington state, and experts said more cases will probably be reported soon.

Susan Gregg, a spokeswoman for Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, said on Tuesday that a patient died Feb. 26 and that health officials now say the death was due to COVID-19. That brings the number of deaths in the state to seven.

Gregg said the person had been a resident at a suburban Seattle care facility that has reported multiple virus cases and deaths. Gregg said some hospital staff may have been exposed while treating the patient but officials don’t believe other patients were. The hospital staff are being monitored and screened daily.

A federal immigration field office near Tukwila closed after an employee vistited the LifeCare Center. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said the decision to close the office was made "out of an abundance of caution" and that it would remain closed for 14 days.

The Eastside Prep private school in Kirkland said it would have students stay home and do online classes because of virus concerns. The school for grades 5 through 12 of nearly 500 students said on its website it had no known cases or suspected cases connected to the campus, but “we do not feel it is prudent to wait until there is a known case to take action.” The school said it would conduct online classes through March 27.

Meanwhile the Northshore School District, which has about 22,000 students just north of Seattle, was closed Tuesday so its teachers could also get ready to teach remotely if the need arises. Superintendent Michelle Reid said in a letter to students' families that the district was also making plans to help students who don’t have computers or internet access at home.

Seattle Public Schools has so far said it will not close, but is monitoring the situation.

Local and state health officials have not recommended school closures or cancellation of activities but said they respect the decisions of local school leaders.

Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of Washington on Sunday said they had evidence the virus may have been circulating in the state for up to six weeks undetected. If true, that could mean that there are hundreds of undiagnosed cases in the area.