Washington state reports 479 new cases, eight deaths on Friday
The Washington State Department of Health on Friday reported 479 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and eight deaths.
Pierce County reported 53 new cases and no new deaths on Friday. Pierce County had a total of 155 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 76,335 cases and 1,953 deaths, up from 75,856 cases and 1,945 deaths on Thursday.
Twenty-nine people with confirmed COVID-19 cases were admitted to Washington state hospitals on Aug. 15, the most recent date with complete data. Late March had two days with 88 people admitted, the highest numbers to date during the pandemic.
On Aug. 23, the most recent date with complete data, 5,697 specimens were collected statewide, with 3.7% testing positive. The average positive test rate for the seven days prior was 3.5%. More than 1.5 million tests have been conducted in Washington.
The test numbers reflect only polymerase chain reaction tests, which are administered while the virus is presumably still active in the body.
King County continues to have the highest numbers in Washington, with 20,022 cases and 735 deaths. Yakima County is second, with 11,007 cases and 243 deaths. Pierce is third with cases at 6,990.
All counties in Washington have cases. Garfield and Wahkiakum have case counts of fewer than 10.
This story was originally published September 4, 2020 at 5:08 PM.
