WATCH: Local officials providing live update on COVID-19 situation. komonews.com/watch
Officials are reporting that there are 31 cases in King County and nine deaths. In Snohomish County there are 10 cases and 1 death.
Nine of the 10 new confirmed coronavirus cases in King County have ties to the Life Care Center in Kirkland.
People at higher risk include:
- People 60 and older
- People with underlying health conditions, including heart disease, lung disease or diabetes.
- People who have weakened immune systems.
-People who are pregnant.
- People 60 and older
- People with underlying health conditions, including heart disease, lung disease or diabetes.
- People who have weakened immune systems.
-People who are pregnant.
Officials are asking community groups not to hold gatherings with more than 10 people. Also, for businesses to allow telecommuting when possible.
King County Public Health is recommending, but not requiring, the following steps for at least the next three weeks:
People at higher risk of severe illness should stay home and away from large groups of people as much as possible.
People at higher risk of severe illness should stay home and away from large groups of people as much as possible.
Public Health is not recommending closing schools at this time unless there has been a confirmed case in the school. They also respect an individual school’s decisions about closures or postponement of activities.
Workplaces should enact measures that allow people who can work from home.
All people should not go out when they are sick.
Avoid visiting hospitals, long term care facilities, or nursing homes to the extent possible.
All people should not go out when they are sick.
Avoid visiting hospitals, long term care facilities, or nursing homes to the extent possible.
The new death occurred in King County, bringing the total there to nine. The other death was reported earlier in Snohomish County.
No details about the 10th death have been released.
No details about the 10th death have been released.
Overall, 31 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in King County with 10 more in Snohomish County. That count includes the 10 who have died.
"We understand these actions will have a tremendous impact on the lives of people in our community," officials said. "We are making these recommendations in consultation with CDC based on the best information we have currently to protect the public’s health. "
There is a huge demand for COVID-19 testing in the Seattle- area right now, officials say. Their state lab can only test 100 people per day. They've quadrupled testing staff.
Of the 10 new cases announced in King County Wednesday, nine of them, including a teen girl, were connected to the Kirkland LifeCare facility. The teen did not require hospitalization. The 10th case is a man in his 30s of undetermined exposure but he is not hospitalized.
