Washington passes 2,000 deaths from COVID-19 pandemic

OLYMPIA, Wash. — On Sept. 15, Washington state officially passed 2,000 deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new numbers from the Department of Health.

“It’s a somber day in Washington,” Gov. Jay Inslee said.

Inslee highlighted the new statistic in a press conference where he gave an update on the state’s coronavirus response.

“This has been a year of tragedy for so many people, and to them I’d like to say that 7 million Washingtonians want to embrace you,” he said.

Inslee spoke about how although overall state numbers are trending in the right direction, there are case clusters popping up when people are breaking guidelines and having larger gatherings.

He pointed to recent outbreaks at Washington State University as an example and implored students to practice caution when they return to campus.

Inslee said he want doesn’t want the desire to party to overcome the “desire to not kill people.”

Cox Media Group