Spokane County confirms 5 new COVID-19 cases for total of 16; statewide total nears 1,800
Jared Brown | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 10 months AGO
The Spokane Regional Health district confirmed five new COVID-19 cases Saturday, bringing the local total to 16 cases, from 11 the day before.
The statewide total jumped by nearly 270, to almost 1,800 cases, and the number of deaths grew from 83 to 94, according to the state health department. About 93% of people tested have been negative so far.
The total deaths included two in Benton County and one in Grant County, which have seven cases and 11 cases confirmed, respectively. Yakima County reported three new cases Saturday for a total of 13 local cases.
Adams County officials also confirmed the county’s first case of COVID-19 in a person who has been self-isolating at home for several days. Officials said they suspect three people with links to that person also have the disease.
That brought the total number of cases east of the Cascades to 64 case in 12 counties
Public health officials in Spokane will identify and contact anyone who may have come into contact with the infected individuals identified Saturday, according to the health district. Those people will be monitored for fever and respiratory illness symptoms.
The Spokane Regional Health District announced looser guidelines Saturday for screening at a drive-thru site at the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center. Symptomatic high-risk individuals can be screened for testing but should call their doctors first.
Spokane County confirmed two additional COVID-19 cases Friday and Health Officer Dr. Bob Lutz declared a public health emergency, allowing the health district to more easily purchase supplies and services to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
Lutz also ordered all playgrounds closed to limit the spread of the virus on play equipment.
Of the 16 cases confirmed in Spokane, one person is hospitalized in stable condition, according to public health officials. The rest are in self-isolation at home.
All four COVID-19 patients who had been passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship off the coast of Japan and flown to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center for treatment in February had been released from the hospital as of Saturday, Greater Spokane Emergency Management confirmed. Two of them were discharged at the end of February.
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