Coronavirus - COVID-19 in Washington. Does Washington have the necessary infrastructure to effectively control the Coronavirus - COVID-19 so it does not become a local outbreak?
Three more people have died in Washington state from the coronavirus, bringing the US death toll to 5, health officials say. Two earlier deaths occurred over the weekend at Evergreen Health in King County, Washington. Those victims were both men with underlying health conditions. Researchers have said the virus may have been circulating undetected in the state for weeks. Ref. USAToday.
Officials in Washington State are recommending residents in the Seattle area work from home due to coronavirus. The recommendation applies to the roughly 2.2 million people who live in King County for the next three weeks. County officials also recommended businesses stagger the arrival and departure of employees to minimize contact with each other. Officials have chosen not to close schools unless there has been a confirmed case within that school. Ref. USAToday.
Washington state partially relaxes social distancing measures. Fishing, hunting and golfing can resume on Tuesday in Washington, at which time people can also return to state parks and other state lands for day trips amid the coronavirus pandemic. However, Gov. Jay Inslee said that if the state sees an uptick in infections of the coronavirus or if people don't continue to take safety measures while recreating, the activities could once again be restricted. Ref. USAToday.