2 new cases of coronavirus revealed Sunday in King County
Two more cases of coronavirus, or COVID-19, have been confirmed in King County, public health officials announced Sunday morning.
That raises the total number of confirmed cases in the Seattle area to six.
“This number is expected to rise as more people are tested and results confirmed,” King County Public Health officials said in a news release.
The two new cases: A man in his 60s, who is at Valley Medical Center in Renton. The man has underlying health conditions, and is in critical but stable condition. The other new case is a man, also in his 60s, who is at Virginia Mason Medical Center. The man also has underlying health conditions, and his status is critical.
The four other cases that were previously announced:
▪ A woman in her 50s, who had traveled to South Korea. She is recovering at home.
▪ A woman in her 70s, who was a resident of LifeCare in Kirkland, is at EvergreenHealth.
▪ A woman in her 40s, employed by LifeCare, who is at Overlake Medical Center.
▪ A man in his 50s, who was hospitalized and died at EvergreenHealth.
The public can help:
▪ Do not go to the emergency room unless essential. Emergency rooms need to be able to serve those with the most critical needs. If you have symptoms like cough, fever, or other respiratory problems, contact your regular doctor first.
▪ Stay home when sick
▪ Practice excellent personal hygiene habits, including handwashing, coughing into tissue or elbow, avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth.
▪ Stay informed. Check and subscribe to Public Health’s website (www.kingcounty.gov/COVID) or blog (www.kingcounty.gov).
As of Sunday, there have been 87,495 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus worldwide and 2,990 deaths as of March 1, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been 77 confirmed cases in the United States, with one death Saturday in Kirkland.
The World Health Organization has labeled the coronavirus outbreak a “very high” risk of spread and impact, but has so far stopped short of declaring it a global pandemic.
Area hospitals
A spokesman for Providence St. Peter said Sunday the Olympia hospital does not have a coronavirus patient.
He said the hospital is busy because of flu season but not because of coronavirus. Anyone who hasn’t received a flu shot should still get one, Chris Thomas said.
And if someone feels like they are coming down with a respiratory illness, and wants to use an urgent care clinic or their primary provider, they should call ahead so that staff can be prepared to mask those patients, he said.
He said the hospital has isolation rooms that can be used for coronavirus patients, and hospital officials also have had conversations with other medical providers and Thurston County health officials about how to respond, Thomas said.
“We are prepared,” he said.
A spokesman for Capital Medical Center could not be reached, but the hospital did share this information in an email.
▪ Patients in the emergency department and in-patient units are screened based on their recent travel history.
▪ Personal protective equipment is available, including face masks and eye protection.
▪ Hand hygiene products are easily accessible throughout the facility.
The state Department of Health has set up isolation and quarantine facilities on property around Maple Lane in south Thurston County for people who have or could have COVID-19, the county announced last week
Pods of recreational vehicles are being set up there in case the site is needed, DOH spokesperson Jamie Nixon told The Olympian Thursday.
Thurston County school districts
Olympia, Tumwater and North Thurston Public Schools, the county’s largest school districts, have coronavirus information posted on district websites. They also have contingency plans in place, but nothing that has so far been implemented. District officials could announce more steps this week after the governor announced a state of emergency on Saturday.
This story was originally published March 1, 2020 at 11:08 AM.
