Washington's Coronavirus Case Count Nears 13,000; 723 Dead

SEATTLE, WA — The state Department of Health reported 224 new coronavirus cases in Washington Friday, and 12 more deaths linked to COVID-19. Lab tests have confirmed nearly 13,000 cases since late February, and 723 people have died.

According to state data, more than 160,000 Washingtonians have been tested for the virus, and approximately 8.1 percent of tests have returned positive.

Catch up on other recent developments:

King County offers testing for all staff after coronavirus cases at Kent jail

Seattle & King County Public Health will offer voluntary testing for all staff at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent after six staff members tested positive for the new coronavirus.

Public Health will send a team to the jail this weekend and offer further testing in the week ahead. County officials said people who are in custody receive testing if they are symptomatic, and additional testing may be offered based on "additional findings."

Earlier in the week, corrections officials confirmed two former inmates, who were both arrested on suspicion of DUI, had tested positive for the virus.

Free child care for essential workers and first responders

King County and Seattle announced a partnership to coordinate free childcare services for essential workers and first responders, as required under Gov. Jay Inslee's "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order. Workers who live in King County, but outside the city of Seattle, can contact the Washington Family Center at 1-800-446-1114 to be matched with a childcare provider.

Workers living within Seattle city limits can visit this website and fill out an application.

Some construction projects allowed to resume, with added precautions

Inslee announced Friday that some public and private construction projects could resume across the state, provided the work can adhere to a list of requirements developed by a state task force.

All job sites are limited to "low-risk" work that can be accomplished with full physical distancing measures. Employers are required to provide workers with protective equipment, including gloves and masks, which must be worn at all times.

The plan requires job sites with seven or more employees to appoint a supervisor to monitor health and enforce safety precautions. All workers must undergo a COVID-19 safety training on their first day returning to work.

Inslee said it was still too early to say when other sectors of business could reopen, and modeling continued to show that a full reopening of the economy would ensure the virus's return.

The state plans to announce relaxed rules on elective surgeries and outdoor recreation in the coming days.

University of Washington seeks COVID-19 patients for hydroxychloroquine clinical trial

The University of Washington School of Medicine is seeking volunteers for a study into the potential benefits of two drug regimens in the early treatment of COVID-19 patients.

Participants will be divided into three treatment groups: one given hydroxychloroquine, a second given hydroxychloroquine with azithromycin, and a third given a placebo.

The university hopes the more rigorous trial will provide a clear answer on whether the drugs can be effective for treating some patients and better gauge the risk of adverse reactions.

"Hydroxychloroquine has received considerable hype as a potential treatment for COVID-19 and has been confused with chloroquine, a drug stopped in a treatment trial in Brazil," the university said in a news release. "There is conflicting evidence on whether it works, which is why the research team at the University of Washington School of Medicine is conducting a rigorous trial to offer answers."

Researchers are seeking patients who have recent, lab-confirmed illnesses to submit daily nasal swabs and monitor their blood oxygen levels and heart rhythms.

Learn more about the study here.

Emergency room visits down nearly 40 percent

Emergency room visits across Washington have declined nearly 40 percent compared to the same time last year, but state health officials say it's not entirely clear why.

The Washington Department of Health said one reason may be related to fewer crashes and work-related injuries, with so many of us driving less and working from home. Other possibilities provide more cause for concern.

"A more concerning possibility is that people who need emergent care may avoid the emergency room," the department wrote in a blog post. "It could be that people who have lost their jobs and health insurance may avoid going to the emergency room when they need to because they are concerned about the cost."

Another element of apprehension, health officials said, could be fear of catching COVID-19.

"Hospitals are working hard to make sure that emergency rooms stay safe," officials said. "If you are in need of emergent care, the safest thing for you to do is go to the emergency room. It's important not to wait too long to get medical care when you need it."

State health officials said those without coverage should consider checking their options on the state health exchange, with expanded eligibility for free or low-cost Apple Health plans during the coronavirus crisis.

Read more on the Department of Health's blog. Residents with questions or concerns about COVID-19 can contact the state call center at 1-800-525-0127.

Confirmed COVID-19 cases by county (from the Washington Department of Health*)

Total confirmed cases: 12,977 (723 deaths)

King: 5,637 cases (393 deaths)
Snohomish: 2,243 cases (102 deaths)
Pierce: 1,212 cases (43 deaths)
Yakima: 923 cases (43 deaths)
Benton: 383 cases (36 deaths)
Spokane: 330 cases (19 deaths)
Clark: 293 cases (16 deaths)
Skagit: 283 cases (10 deaths)
Whatcom: 282 cases (27 deaths)
Franklin: 239 cases (5 deaths)
Island: 160 cases (9 deaths)
Grant: 149 cases (2 deaths)
Kitsap: 143 cases (2 deaths)
Thurston: 98 cases (1 death)
Chelan: 89 cases (5 deaths)
Douglas: 69 cases (1 death)
Adams: 45 cases
Walla Walla: 48 cases
Cowlitz: 36 cases
Jefferson: 28 cases
Mason: 22 cases
Lewis: 25 cases (3 deaths)
Klickitat: 16 cases (3 deaths)
Okanogan: 16 cases
Asotin: 146cases (1 death)
San Juan: 14 cases
Clallam: 14 cases
Kittitas: 14 cases
Whitman: 13 cases
Grays Harbor: 12 cases
Stevens: 9 cases (1 death)
Pacific: 4 cases
Skamania: 3 cases
Lincoln: 2 cases
Pend Oreille: 2 cases
Wahkiakum: 2 cases
Columbia: 1 case
Ferry: 1 case

100 cases remain unassigned to individual counties. The state is still determining how to sort the hundreds of cases with no definite origin.

*Some numbers differ from the totals provided separately by county health agencies.