We’re back with another installation of our special series COVID-19 Update, bringing you the latest developments on the novel coronavirus outbreak that public health authorities in the Pacific Northwest are working diligently to contain. Unlike some of the nonsense that is unfortunately circulating on social media, all the information you’ll find here is accurate and based on sound science.
We begin with an update from Washington State/King County public health authorities, who have reported new cases of coronavirus and a second death.
COVID-19 test results have come back from the Washington State Public Health Laboratory confirming four additional cases of COVID-19 in King County residents. With these four new results, the total number of cases in King County is ten.
Today’s results include an additional death, bringing the total number of deaths in King County from COVID-19 to two.
King County Executive’s Office will join local and state public health officials on Monday to discuss the latest cases and the King County response to this outbreak to discuss the latest cases and the King County response to this outbreak.
The four new cases are in:
- A female in her 80s, hospitalized at EvergreenHealth in Kirkland. The woman has underlying health conditions, and is in critical condition
- A female in her 90s, hospitalized at EvergreenHealth in Kirkland. The woman has underlying health conditions, and is in critical condition
- A male in his 70s, hospitalized at EvergreenHealth in Kirkland. The man has underlying health conditions, and is in critical condition
- A male in his 70s was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth. He had underlying health conditions and died on 2/29/20.
All of these newly identified cases are among residents of LifeCare, the skilled nursing facility in Kirkland that was previously identified to have two associated cases.
Six other cases, already reported earlier by Public Health, include:
- A man in his 60s, hospitalized at Valley Medical Center in Renton.
- A man in 60s, hospitalized at Virginia Mason Medical Center.
- A woman in her 50s, who had traveled to South Korea; recovering at home
- A woman in her 70s, who was a resident of LifeCare in Kirkland, hospitalized at EvergreenHealth
- A woman in her 40s, employed by LifeCare, who is hospitalized at Overlake Medical Center
- A man in his 50s, who was hospitalized and died at EvergreenHealth
Public Health is working hard to identify close contacts of these confirmed cases. These close contacts may include family members, co-workers, emergency responders and other contacts.
A team of CDC officials is on-the-ground working with Public Health, along with the Washington State Department of Health, our healthcare system partners and many others.
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 away from people who are ill, especially if you are 60 and older or have underlying health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, or a weakened immune system.
- Stay informed. Information is changing frequently. Check and subscribe to Public Health’s website (www.kingcounty.gov/COVID) or blog (www.publichealthinsider.com)
The above update was published at 6:40 PM, following this earlier bulletin published at 10:37 AM in the morning by King County Public Health.
COVID-19 test results have come back from the State Public Health Laboratory confirming two additional cases of COVID-19 in King County residents. With these two new results, the total number of cases in King County is six. This number is expected to rise as more people are tested and results confirmed.
The two new cases are in:
- A male in his 60s, hospitalized at Valley Medical Center in Renton. The man has underlying health conditions, and is in critical but stable condition.
- A male in 60s, hospitalized at Virginia Mason Medical Center. The man has underlying health conditions, and his status is critical.
Four other cases, already reported earlier by Public Health, include:
- A woman in her 50s, who had traveled to South Korea; recovering at home
- A woman in her 70s, who was a resident of LifeCare in Kirkland, hospitalized at EvergreenHealth
- A woman in her 40s, employed by LifeCare, who is hospitalized at Overlake Medical Center
- A man in his 50s, who was hospitalized and died at EvergreenHealth
Public Health is aware that the U.S. Postal Service is reporting that one of its employees was diagnosed with COVID-19. This person was one of the four cases already reported, and is included in the six total cases.
Public Health is leading the effort to as quickly as possible identify close contacts of these six confirmed cases. These close contacts may include family members, co-workers, emergency responders and other contacts. A team of CDC officials is on-the-ground working with Public Health, along with the Washington State Department of Health, our healthcare system partners and many others.
So, to recap: As of this morning, there were six total known cases in King County; as of this evening, there were ten total known cases. The number of cases could rise tomorrow, as the State Public Health Laboratory is working around the clock to process tests of people who may have COVID-19.
Meanwhile, down in Oregon, there was similar news.
Governor Kate Brown issued the following statement today regarding the Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) announcement of an additional case of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Oregon. According to OHA, there are now two reported cases of COVID-19 in Oregon, both connected. An additional eight tests came back negative:
“My thoughts are with the Oregonians who have contracted this virus, as well as their families. The developments of the last forty-eight hours in Oregon and across the globe are concerning, and we are taking this extremely seriously.”
“State and local health professionals are working around the clock to identify, treat, and contain each case of this disease.”
“My commitment to Oregonians is that our state agencies will be as accurate, transparent, and swift as possible in conveying the information we have to the public, especially when new cases of the coronavirus are identified.”
“Oregonians have a history of bringing out the best in each other in uncertain times. By staying calm and, yes, by doing the same simple things that protect us during cold and flu season – –washing our hands, properly covering our coughs and sneezes, and staying home from school or work if we’re feeling sick –– we can help keep ourselves and our loved ones healthy and safe.”
The Oregon Health Authority’s COVID-19 incident management team has been working with state agencies and local health authorities to prepare for this scenario since January. OHA has operated similar response operations in past efforts to address global health threats such as H1N1 influenza, Ebola, and Zika. Last week, Governor Brown directed state agencies to continue building on active preparations, and stood up an interagency Coronavirus Response Team to coordinate state and local efforts statewide.
In other news, Fred Hutch scientist Trevor Bedford reported on Twitter that the team at the Seattle Flu Study have sequenced the genome from the Snohomish County case in which an individual contracted the COVID19 virus from exposure within the community (as opposed to from abroad).
“There are some enormous implications here,” Bedford tweeted.
“This case, WA2, is on a branch in the evolutionary tree that descends directly from WA1, the first reported case in the USA sampled January 19th, also from Snohomish County. This strongly suggests that there has been cryptic transmission in Washington State for the past six weeks,” Bedford added.
“It’s possible that this genetic similarity is a coincidence and these are separate introductions. However, I believe this is highly unlikely. The WA1 case had a variant at site 18060. This variant is only present in 2⁄59 viruses from China.”
“I believe we’re facing an already substantial outbreak in Washington State that was not detected until now due to narrow case definition requiring direct travel to China,” Bedford assessed in a subsequent tweet.
That seems like a very sound conclusion.
Four Washington Post journalists teamed up to write a good article about the findings announced by Bedford. If you’d like to read that, you’ll find it here.
One Comment
I will stay safe by staying at home.