Four additional Americans have died from the coronavirus, marking six deaths in the U.S.
The latest four deaths were reported by the Washington State Health Department on Monday. Three occurred in King County, and one in Snohomish County.
The three deaths in King County were residents of the Life Care long-term care facility in Kirkland, Wash., which has been linked to numerous confirmed cases and dozens more possible cases.
A male in his 70s, a female in her 70s, and a female in her 80s all died on Sunday, according to King County health officials. At least two of the individuals had underlying health issues. Details have not yet been provided on the individual who died in Snohomish County.
As of Saturday, 27 residents and 25 staff members of the facility had begun showing symptoms of coronavirus. An employee with no known travel to a risk area and a resident of the facility were among the first to test as “presumptive positive” from the facility.
Two deaths previous deaths occurred in King County. The first death was confirmed on Saturday and involved a man in his 50s with underlying health issues. The second death had occurred on Sunday, and involved a man in his 70s who also had underlying health issues.
In King County, 11 other cases of coronavirus have been confirmed. Three more positive cases have been confirmed in Snohomish County. Another 231 total people in the state are undergoing public health monitoring.
Dr. Jeff Duchin, health officer for Public Health, Seattle & King County, said on Saturday that more positive coronavirus cases were expected in the state, especially in the affected long-term care facility.
“We are very concerned about an outbreak in a setting with older people,” Duchin said, adding that those most susceptible include older adults and adults with underlying chronic conditions whose immune systems are weakened.
King County declared a state of emergency on Monday. The order enables “‘extraordinary measures'” to fight the outbreak, including waiving some procurement protocols, and authoring overtime for King County employees, among other powers.”
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency Saturday.
The CDC has maintained that the risk to the American public “remains low.”
Coronavirus cases in the U.S. have continued to increase slowly. Rhode Island and New York also confirmed their first positive coronavirus cases over the weekend. Additionally, Florida reported its first two presumptive positive cases and also declared a state of emergency.
Globally, coronavirus has killed more than 3,000 people, and more than 89,000 have been infected.
