Washington reports 742 new COVID-19 cases, 17 deaths Wednesday
The Washington State Department of Health on Wednesday reported 742 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 17 deaths.
Pierce County reported 67 new cases and one new death. Pierce County had a total of 101 deaths likely caused by COVID-19 as of Wednesday, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
Statewide totals from the illness caused by the coronavirus are at 43,046 cases and 1,421 deaths, up from 42,304 cases and 1,404 deaths on Tuesday.
Thirty-six people with confirmed COVID-19 cases were admitted to Washington state hospitals on Tuesday, July 7, the most recent date with complete data. March 23 saw 89 people admitted, the highest number to date during the pandemic.
Washington state has conducted 733,886 coronavirus tests. On July 7, the most recent date for which data is complete, 13,710 specimens were collected statewide, with 5.9% testing positive. That compares with 2,433 specimens and a 4.5% positive rate on June 7; 4,583 specimens and a 5.7% positive rate on May 7; and 5,083 specimens and an 8.1% positive rate on April 7.
The test numbers reflect only polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, which are given to patients while the virus is presumably still active in the body.
King County continues to have the highest numbers in Washington, with 12,325 cases and 630 deaths. Yakima County has the second-highest numbers, with 8,436 cases and 187 deaths.
All counties in Washington are now reporting cases. Five of them have case counts of less than 10.
There had been more than 3.4 million confirmed coronavirus cases and 137,277 deaths from the virus in the United States as of Wednesday, according to Johns Hopkins University. More than 582,000 people have died from the disease worldwide.
This story was originally published July 15, 2020 at 5:44 PM.
