Health officials in Washington announced that four more people died in the state from the new coronavirus on Monday less than an hour after Oregon announced its third presumptive case of the illness, an adult who attended a youth basketball game in Umatilla County over the weekend.

The country’s first two coronavirus fatalities were reported in Washington over the weekend. As of Monday morning, health officials counted 18 confirmed cases of the virus statewide.

11:40 a.m.

This disease will pose a significant challenge to the healthcare delivery system across the country and across the world," Jeff Duchin, a public health officer for the county, said in response to a question about whether the county had enough resources to handle an influx of sick patients. “Our hospitals are already feeling the strain.”

11:32 a.m.

Ettore Palazzo, chief medical officer at Evergreen Health in Kirkland, Washington, said another person at the nursing home, a resident of Snohomish County had also died, bringing the total statewide death toll to six.

11:28 a.m.

Kathy Lofy, state health officer, said that there were also four cases in Snohomish County, for a statewide total of 18 cases. The state was expanding their testing capacity and Lofy said more cases would likely be revealed soon. She reiterated that washing your hands, thoroughly and frequently, is the best defense against the illness. She also recommended not touching your face and staying home from work if you feel sick.

“We need to do all we can to protect each other at this time,” Lofy said.

11:20 a.m.

Jeff Duchin, a public health officer for the county, said there were four new cases, with three more deaths in King County, since their last report. A man in his 70s, a woman in her 70s and a woman in her 80s, all died on March 1, Duchin said. All three had underlying conditions.

The total number of cases in King County is 14, Duchin said, with five deaths.

11:15 a.m.

Patty Hayes, director of Public Health for Seattle & King County, reiterated that most people who contracted the virus would not have severe symptoms. She asked the public to forego purchasing protective masks so that they would be available for healthcare workers.

“Masks are not generally recommended for healthy people,” she said.

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11:10 a.m.

“We have moved to a new stage,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. The county was buying a hotel to house patients that would be available by the end of the week. The county would also be setting up modular units to offer to patients who need to be in isolation. The locations of the new housing options would be released later on Monday, Constantine said.

-- Kale Williams; kwilliams@oregonian.com; 503-294-4048; @sfkale

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