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Coronavirus updates in Spokane County for March 27-29

Facts not fear: Find updates on the coronavirus outbreak in Washington state and Spokane County from March 27-29, 2020.

Key facts:

  • A total of four people have died from the coronavirus in Spokane County.
  • The first death was announced on Friday, March 27. It was a man in his 80s, and it has not been released if he had underlying health issues.
  • The second patient was a woman in her 50s, according to the Spokane Regional District.
  • President Donald Trump signed a $2.2 trillion economic rescue package Friday that will send checks to most Americans.
  • 189 coronavirus deaths among at least 4,300 overall cases in Washington. 
  • One death has been reported in Grant County 
  • 115 cases in Spokane County, 44 in Grant County, 3 cases in Stevens County
  • 54,896 people (93% of tests) have tested negative for the virus the state reported.
  • Track the statewide outbreak with this map of Washington counties.

Click here for Spokane County and Washington state coronavirus updates from March 19-26

Sunday, March 29

5:33 p.m.: Two deaths reported, bringing total to 4 coronavirus deaths.

A man in his 80s and a woman in her 60s, both residents of Spokane County.

10:12 a.m.: An incarcerated man from the Monroe Correctional Complex in Snohomish County tests positive for coronavirus.

On Tuesday, March 3, 2020, an incarcerated patient was transported to a Snohomish County medical center from the Monroe Correctional Complex for medical care that could not be provided at the correctional facility, according to the press release from the Washington State Department of Corrections.

While at the Snohomish County medical center, he was tested for COVID-19 and the test came back negative on March 15, 2020. 

The Department was notified late on Friday, March 27, 2020 that the individual was positive for COVID-19. 

The man is currently in stable condition and remains in the Snohomish County medical center. Notified staff have been put on quarantine status at home while medical professionals conduct secondary reviews of potential close contacts. 

The Department of Corrections said there is no connection between the patient and the staff member from Monroe Correctional Complex, who was confirmed positive for COVID-19 on March 12th.

Saturday, March 28

12:38 p.m.: A woman in her 50s died from coronavirus in Spokane County

The two deaths in Spokane County include a man in his 80s who passed away yesterday and a woman in her 50s who passed away today. Both were residents of Spokane County, acording to the Washington State Department of Health.

10:28 a.m.: One man tests positive for COVID-19 in Whitman County  

Whitman County has received another positive COVID-19 test result on Saturday, March 28th bringing the total to 6 within the County. 

The sixth case is a 50-59 year-old-male who is stable and isolating at home. Public Health Department is investigating close contacts of the 4 most recent positive patients. 

Contact tracing has been completed on the first two cases. More information will be released as available. 

Friday, March 27

6:30 p.m.: Colville SD employee tests positive

The Colville School District announced on Friday night that an employee has tested positive for coronavirus.

The district said the employee is working with the Northeast Tri County Health District, and Tri County has informed all close contacts to tell them to take necessary isolation precautions. 

6:10 p.m.: First coronavirus death confirmed in Spokane County

The first coronavirus death in Spokane County was announced on Friday night by the Spokane County Department of Emergency Management.

According to the department, the victim was a man in his 80s. It was not said if he had any underlying health issues. The man was a Spokane County resident.

"Our condolences go out to this man's friends and family. His death is a stark reminder of the reality we face as COVID-19 continues to spread in Spokane County," Spokane County Health Officer Dr. Bob Lutz is quoted as saying in the release. 

5 p.m. Eastern State Hospital staff member tests positive for coronavirus

A staff member at Eastern State Hospital in Medical Lake has tested positive for COVID-19, according the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services website.

Six staff members at Western State Hospital have tested positive for COVID-19. 

4:10 p.m. Washington Military Department's Emergency Management Division says it has identified potential sites in eastern Washington to deal with surge capacity

"We have also identified locations in Eastern Washington to help with surge capacity and ensure Eastern Washington hospitals have the capacity to support a growth in COVID-19 cases," emergency management leaders wrote on Twitter.

Karina Shagren with the Washington Military Department told KREM that sites in the Spokane and Yakima areas are being considered, but nothing has been finalized as the state doesn't need more surge capacity yet.

"Our hospitals still have surge capacity today, but that won't be the case in the days and weeks to come. Field hospitals will help our hospitals handle non-COVID-19 cases and help save lives," the division wrote on Twitter. 

Shagren also told KREM that the state has 2,000 additional beds currently on stand-by, with the state having purchased 1,000 on its own and 1,000 coming from a federal program.

3:30 p.m. Washington state coronavirus cases increase to 3,700 with 175 deaths

The Washington State Department of Health confirmed 86 total cases in Spokane County.

2 p.m. Trump signs stimulus bill

President Donald Trump has signed an unprecedented $2.2 trillion economic rescue package into law, after swift and near-unanimous action by Congress this week. The package will support businesses, rush resources to overburdened health care providers and help struggling families during the deepening coronavirus epidemic. 

As he signed the bill Friday, Trump declared it “will deliver urgently needed relief.” He thanked members of both parties for putting Americans “first.” 

The House passed the legislation earlier Friday by voice vote. 

The legislation will speed government payments of $1,200 to most Americans and increase jobless benefits for millions of people thrown out of work. Businesses big and small will get loans, grants and tax breaks. 

Find the answers to frequently asked questions about the stimulus package here 

10 a.m.: Spokane County Health Officer announces increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases from 67 on Thursday to 83 as of Friday morning. 

9:15 a.m. Coronavirus deaths could continue through summer

Researchers with the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation say deaths related to coronavirus in Washington state could persist into July, even if people adhere to social distancing measures and other precautions. 

Based on observed death rates, approximately 81,000 people could die from the virus over the next four months.

Based on the analysis, 41 states will need more ICU beds than they have and 11 states may need to increase their ICU beds by 50%. 

The number of Washington state residents who die per day from coronavirus is, according to the observations, expected to peak by mid-to-late April. As many as 27 could die per day by then.

What are coronavirus symptoms?

The symptoms of coronavirus are similar to the flu or colds. Symptoms include a fever, cough, and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, according to the Washington State Department of Health.

The severity of symptoms ranges significantly. Some cases are very mild with symptoms similar to the common cold, and some cases are more like severe pneumonia that require hospitalization. Most deaths have been reported in older adults who had other health conditions, according to DOH.

Symptoms may appear as soon as two days after being exposed to the coronavirus or as long as 14 days.

A new Washington call center has been set up to answer your questions about COVID-19. If you have questions about how the virus spreads, what is being done in Washington state, and what you can do if you have symptoms, call 1-800-525-0127 and press #.

RELATED: What are coronavirus symptoms?

RELATED: Map: Tracking the coronavirus outbreak in Washington state

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