Death toll from coronavirus up to 74 in Washington state

covid-19

The death toll in Washington state from the coronavirus increased to 74 on Thursday, and the number of cases topped 1,300.

King County reported four new deaths – bringing its total to 60 – while Snohomish, Benton and Island counties each reported one death.

Governor Jay Inslee issued an order Thursday prohibiting non-urgent medical and dental procedures in an effort to secure protective equipment used by front-line health care workers. The order applies to any procedure that would require someone to wear protective gear.

Workers were building a field hospital on a soccer field in a Seattle suburb on Thursday for people who become ill with the coronavirus.  King County officials plans to erect the hospitals in several sites around the county to help with the growing number of positive cases and possible pressure on the health care facilities in the region.

For most people, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough.

Washington’s governor has also sent a letter to President Donald Trump requesting that a U.S. Navy hospital ship be sent to Seattle.  Inslee says Washington represents 20 percent of U.S. COVID-19 infections and 61 percent of nation-wide fatalities.

Meanwhile, Washington on Thursday received an additional 8,000 COVID-19 test kits from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, along with supplies of the protective equipment needed to conduct the tests. (AP)

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