Coronavirus updates: State nears 92k cases; cases in UW student outbreak rise
Updated at 7:50 a.m.
The Washington state Department of Health reported Thursday 710 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and six deaths as the state passed the 2 million mark for coronavirus tests.
Pierce County reported 96 cases Thursday and no new deaths. Pierce County has a total of 178 deaths likely caused by COVID-19 as of Thursday, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
Statewide totals from the illness caused by the coronavirus are at 91,918 cases and 2,183 deaths, up from 91,208 cases and 2,177 deaths Wednesday. Washington’s population is estimated at about 7.6 million, according to U.S. Census figures from July 2019.
Twenty people with confirmed COVID-19 cases were admitted to Washington state hospitals on Sept. 19, the most recent date with complete data. Average daily hospitalizations peaked in early April at 78.
On Sept. 27, the most recent date with complete data, 5,317 specimens were collected statewide, with 3.6% testing positive. The average positive test rate for the seven days prior was 3.4%.
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 23,547 cases and 782 deaths. Yakima County is second, with 11,536 cases and 263 deaths. Pierce is third with cases at 8,518, according to the state’s tally.
All counties in Washington have cases. Ten counties have case counts of fewer than 100.
On Thursday, Washington had a 1,210-per-100,000-people case rate. The national rate is 2,275 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Louisiana has the highest rate in the United States at 3,704. Vermont is lowest at 292.
There had been more than 7.5 million confirmed coronavirus cases and 212,594 deaths from the virus in the United States as of Thursday afternoon, according to Johns Hopkins University.
The United States has the highest number of reported cases and deaths of any nation. More than 1 million people have died from the disease worldwide. Global cases exceed 36 million.
Cases in University of Washington student outbreak top 200
Updated at 7:50 a.m.
University of Washington COVID-19 cases among students in more than a dozen sororities and fraternities have topped 200.
As of Thursday morning, 215 positive cases have been confirmed among 15 fraternities and sororities, spokesperson Victor Balta said on the school’s website.
That’s up from 179 cases as of Tuesday, and 131 cases on Friday.
According to the UW’s case tracking system, as of Oct. 6, 476 students, 63 staff and 10 faculty have tested positive since Feb. 27.
“The congregant living situation in the Greek community certainly presents a greater challenge and we will continue to work with them to respond effectively and try to limit the spread,” Balta told The Seattle Times.
Students who have tested positive or have COVID-like symptoms are being told to isolate in their current place of residence, according to the university. The university is not aware of any students who have been hospitalized or reported severe symptoms of the virus.
An outbreak in June infected 154 students in 15 fraternity houses at the university.
At a press conference Thursday, Gov. Jay Inslee expressed frustration about the behavior on Greek Row “that is exposing all of us to great risk.”
“It has to change,” Inslee said. “They’ve got to step up and take responsibility for this because these things can just blow up, and frankly they are.”
Inslee said his office plans to make it clear that there needs to be leadership from the sororities and fraternities on this issue.
“There will be consequences of we don’t get that leadership,” he said. “This is too deadly to ignore.”
Inslee: Washington state to extend eviction halt, use $15M federal grant to aid businesses
Updated at 7:50 a.m.
Governor Jay Inslee said Thursday that he’s extending the eviction moratorium and that Washington state will use a $15 million federal grant to help businesses.
He’ll extend the eviction moratorium until Dec. 31. It was set to expire Oct. 15.
“We certainly don’t need more housing insecurity in the moment of uncertainty during this pandemic,” Inslee said during a virtual press conference.
An updated proclamation with specifics will follow in the days to come, he said.
Commerce Director Lisa Brown joined the governor on the call to talk about the grant for businesses, which is CARES Act funding through the U.S. Economic Development Administration in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
“As you know, we have previously issued $25 million in grants for partnerships through our Department of Commerce to keep small businesses afloat,” Inslee said. “... We certainly need all hands on deck to help our business owners through this time.”
Brown said the money will support new and existing programs to help businesses.
“Most of these projects come down to connecting entrepreneurs and businesses to resources,” she said.
