Washington reports “explosive situation” with 754 new COVID-19 cases, 7 deaths Friday
The state is in an “explosive situation” as the coronavirus spreads, the state Department of Health said in its situation report late Friday.
“Transmission continues to increase or accelerate across most of Washington state and will continue to do so unless concrete steps are taken to stop the spread.”
The Washington State Department of Health on Friday reported 754 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and seven deaths.
Pierce County reported 77 new cases Friday but no new deaths. Pierce County had a total of 101 deaths likely caused by COVID-19 as of Friday, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
Statewide totals from the illness caused by the coronavirus are at 45,067 cases and 1,434 deaths, up from 44,313 cases and 1,427 deaths on Thursday.
Thirty-four people with confirmed COVID-19 cases were admitted to Washington state hospitals on Thursday, July 9, 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 767,657 coronavirus tests. On July 9, the most recent date for which data is complete, 10,103 specimens were collected statewide, with 7% testing positive. That compares with 2,499 specimens and a 4.4% positive rate on June 9; 2,102 specimens and a 6.1% positive rate on May 9; and 4,221 specimens and an 8.6% positive rate on April 9.
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 12,766 cases and 631 deaths. Yakima County has the second-highest numbers, with 8,939 cases and 191 deaths.
All counties in Washington are now reporting cases. Five of them have case counts of less than 10.
There had been more than 3.6 million confirmed coronavirus cases and 139,128 deaths from the virus in the United States as of Friday, according to Johns Hopkins University. More than 600,000 people have died from the disease worldwide.
This story was originally published July 17, 2020 at 5:58 PM.
