28 More Coronavirus Deaths In Washington, Over 500 New Cases

SEATTLE, WA — A little over 500 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Washington Friday, and 28 additional deaths were reported, according to the Washington State Department of Health. Now more than 52,000 residents have been tested statewide, with about 7 percent of those tests coming back positive.

Friday's numbers mark another significant increase in COVID-19 cases, though about 100 less new cases than Thursday brought. However it does represent a bigger increase in deaths, including 16 new deaths in King County alone. In Snohomish County, 7 additional deaths were reported.

More than 6,000 new patients were tested for the coronavirus statewide Friday. 200 of the confirmed cases reported were found in King County. Public Health - Seattle & King County says they've successfully expanded testing in the homeless population and are focusing on getting more tests to high risk communities like first responders and assisted living homes.

Of the patients killed by the virus, 54 percent were 80 or older, 28 percent were between 70-79, and 11 percent were between 60 and 69. Doctors studying the virus say it is most deadly for patients older than 60, though pregnant women or anyone else with underlying health factors can also be at risk

UW study finds cases may peak soon

A new model produced by The University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics now predicts Washington could see a peak in coronavirus cases around April 19. The model also predicts about 1,400 deaths in Washington by August. If the study holds true, the state is well equipped to handle the medical load, and needs just under 100 more ICU beds to support patients with severe symptoms.

However doctors and government leaders warn against getting too complacent. The model's predictions change rapidly day-to-day depending on external factors, and assumes social distancing and other preventative measures continue and remain effective.

Army to turn CenturyLink Field into field hospital

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan's office announced Friday that the US Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA had agreed to set up a military field hospital at Seattle's CenturyLink field.

The field hospital will be staffed by 300 soldiers from the 627th Army Hospital at Fort Carson, Colorado. The deployed medics are expected to run a 150-bed hospital which will work as an expanded support system, handling routine medical cases while medical professionals in Washington continue to focus their efforts on COVID-19.

School to resume remotely Monday as teachers consider relaxing graduation requirements.

State Superintendent Chris Reykdal ordered all public schools statewide to begin teaching remotely by Monday, March 30, but some school officials remain concerned that the disruption in regular classes will cause some students who would have graduated under normal conditions to miss or fail classes and be held back.

The education board is now considering waiving some graduation requirements to keep students from falling behind. If passed, the waivers would only impact current seniors who had already enrolled in all the courses they needed to graduate this year. The education board is expected to vote on the waived graduation requirements by April 8.

Seattle City Council Member calls for moratorium on rent and mortgage

Seattle City Councilmember Tammy Morales has issued a resolution calling for a moratorium on commercial and residential rents and mortgage payments. Her office argues such measures are necessary to help Seattle residents and business owners who are struggling to stay afloat during the coronavirus outbreak.

Morales says that studies show 47 percent of Seattle residents are rent-burdened, and warns that asking them to pay rent when many have been laid off amid the outbreak could cause an economic free-fall and worsen the homelessness crisis.

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and the Council previously passed a 60-day moratorium on residential evictions for missing rent payments.

Coronavirus cases by county

Illnesses confirmed statewide: 3,723 (175 deaths)

King: 1,828 cases (125 deaths)
Snohomish: 913 cases (23 deaths)
Pierce: 231 cases (5 deaths)
Whatcom: 92 cases (4 deaths)
Skagit: 91 cases (1 death)
Spokane: 86 cases
Island: 79 cases (1 death)
Clark: 76 cases (6 deaths)
Yakima: 72 cases (2 deaths)
Benton: 42 cases (5 deaths)
Grant: 42 cases (1 death)
Kitsap: 42 cases (1 death)
Thurston: 27 cases
Chelan: 13 cases (1 death)
Franklin: 12 cases
Jefferson: 11 cases
Kittitas: 8 cases
Cowlitz: 7 cases
Klickitat: 7 cases
Lewis: 7 cases
Clallam: 5 cases
Douglas: 5 cases
Adams: 5 cases
Whitman: 5 cases
San Juan: 3 cases
Stevens: 3 cases
Mason: 2 cases
Okanogan: 2 cases
Walla Walla: 2 cases
Columbia: 1 case
Grays Harbor: 1 case
Lincoln: 1 case
Ferry: 1 case
Skamania: 1 case