Public Health—Seattle & King County reported on Monday 87 deaths (up 12 from Sunday) and 1,170 cases (up 130 from Sunday) due to COVID-19 through 11:59 p.m. on March 22.
These additional deaths include:
* A woman in his 70s, who died on 3/21
* A man in his 70s, who died on 3/21 at EvergreenHealth
* A man in his 80s who died on 3/22 at EvergreenHealth
* A man in his 80s, who died on 3/22 at Swedish Issaquah
* A woman in her 70s, who died on 3/22
* A woman in her 90s. who died on 3/22
* A man in his 70s, who died on 3/22
* A woman in her 90s, who died on 3/22
* A woman in her 60s, who died on 3/22 at Swedish Cherry Hill
* A man in his 60s, who died on 3/21 at Swedish Cherry Hill
* A man in his 60s who died on 3/22 at University of Washington Medical Center
* A man in his 60s who died on 3/22 at Virginia Mason
Of the 87 deaths reported, 37 are confirmed to be associated with Life Care Center of Kirkland.
Staying home is vitally important to King County’s ability to slow the spread of COVID-19 illnesses, according to a Public Health—Seattle & King County update. Individual actions to limit the spread of the new coronavirus will benefit the health of our entire community.
“Young and old, sick or well, we all need to work together now to slow the spread of COVID-19 in King County and decrease the number of illnesses, hospitalizations and strain on our health care system,” said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health—Seattle & King County. “With no treatment or vaccine, the single most important thing all of us must do is to stay home and avoid all non-essential contact with others.”
While staying home is challenging, we all can assume that we might be carrying the virus, and we could be spreading the infection any time we have close contact with someone. Everyone should:
* Limit trips for groceries, gas, and other essentials.
* If you must go out, stay at least 6 feet away from others at all times.
Statewide numbers
The number of deaths in the state is at 110 and the number of coronavirus cases hit 2,221, according to the state Department of Health on Monday.
A total of 31,712 people have had negative test results, 93 percent of the total number of people tested for the virus.
New local system launched to learn how COVID-19 virus is spreading
On Monday, Public Health—Seattle & King County officially partnered with the team behind the Seattle Flu Study to launch the greater Seattle Coronavirus Assessment Network—or SCAN for short. SCAN is an innovative disease surveillance platform that will allow Public Health to gain a clearer picture of how the COVID-19 virus is spreading through our community. By conducting focused, representative testing from a sample of people across greater Seattle and King County—ensuring we have participation from people in a cross-section of neighborhoods, including adults and children, whether they are showing symptoms or not—we will gain important information that allows us to better respond to the epidemic.
SCAN can’t test every individual. However, by using innovative research methods and data modeling, SCAN can help us better predict the number of people who may be infected but unrecognized. Understanding how COVID-19 is being transmitted, even among those who have not yet sought medical care and would not otherwise be tested, will help us determine if community measures such as social distancing are working, and whether we need to adapt our guidance. Interested community members may visit scanpublichealth.org to sign up.
Isolation and quarantine facilities update
Isolation and quarantine is a proven public health practice for reducing the spread of disease. Examples of people who may need this assistance include people who cannot safely isolate from a family member who is elderly or medically fragile, or people experiencing homelessness. Individuals can only be placed into the King County sites after a health professional with Public Health—Seattle & King County has determined that they need isolation or quarantine.
Four people are currently staying in a King County isolation and quarantine facility.
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