Washington Records 29 More Coronavirus Deaths, 833 New Cases

SEATTLE, WA — Health officials reported 833 new coronavirus cases and 29 additional deaths in Washington on Thursday. Per the latest data, at least 60,917 patients have been diagnosed in Washingtin since the crisis began, and 1,653 patients have died from complications linked to the virus.

Ongoing issues with a reporting system continues to prevent the state from releasing updated figures on the total number of tests and positivity rates.

Nearly 5,089 new illnesses have been confirmed in Washington over the last seven days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's case tracker. Most of the state's counties still show a rate of cases by population much higher than the target threshold of 25 cases per 100,000 residents over 14 days.

According to the Department of Health, at least 405 patients remained hospitalized with confirmed or likely COVID-19 illnesses in Washington as of Wednesday— 21 fewer than the day before. Health officials continue to closely monitor hospital activity and occupancy, coordinate transfers and reprioritize distribution of protective gear to frontline workers as needed.

View detailed information on virus activity and trends in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties.

Inslee announces plan for resuming visits at nursing homes, assisted living facilities

Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday previewed new guidelines for visitation at nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult family homes, following months of coronavirus lockdowns.

"I'm very pleased today to say that we have come far enough, both in our restraint of the pandemic and in our ability to develop protocols that will work to continue to protect the physical health of our residents, while giving them much greater contact with their loved ones," Inslee said.

The guidelines include four reopening phases, similar to the state's Safe Start reopening plan, and begins with the return of family visits outdoors. Further phases will gradually allow for some indoor visits.

The rules do not allow facilities to surpass the phase level their county is in, and they must meet a separate set of requirements to move forward, including no new illnesses recorded for 28 days and sufficient protective equipment.

Read more: Inslee Outlines Plan To Restore Visits At Nursing Homes

Updated UW model predicts fewer deaths if mask use continues

The latest predictions from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation forecasts the coronavirus death toll will near 300,000 lives lost in the United States by December, with 5,075 of those in Washington.

As of Thursday, more than 158,000 Americans have died from complications linked to COVID-19 since the public health crisis began.

Researchers said the number of new deaths projected by Dec. 1 could be cut nearly in half, saving 66,000 lives, if 95 percent of people wear face coverings when leaving the house.

"We're seeing a rollercoaster in the United States, said Dr. Christopher Murray, the IHME director. "It appears that people are wearing masks and socially distancing more frequently as infections increase, then after a while, as infections drop, people let their guard down and stop taking these measures to protect themselves and others — which, of course, leads to more infections. And the potentially deadly cycle starts over again."

The model also assumes some states, including Washington, may have to reimpose some restrictions later in the year, including potential stay-at-home orders, especially if universal mask use is not achieved.

Read more: New IHME COVID-19 Forecasts See Nearly 300,000 Deaths by December 1

Total coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths by county:

The above numbers are provided by the state Department of Health, and some numbers differ from the totals provided separately by county health agencies.

This article originally appeared on the Redmond Patch