Coronavirus updates: Washington cases continue to climb; Inslee donates ventilators

2. Scientists have figured out how the novel coronavirus breaks into human cells, which will help significantly in developing treatments

After scientists revealed the first picture of how the novel coronavirus binds with human respiratory cells to produce more viruses, researchers in China have solidified images all the way down to the level of the atoms at the binding points, according to Live Science. With this news, understanding how the virus enters cells will significantly aid researchers in finding drugs and vaccines to fight the virus. less 2. Scientists have figured out how the novel coronavirus breaks into human cells, which will help significantly in developing treatments

After scientists revealed the first picture of how the novel coronavirus ... more Photo: Lynne Sladky, AP Photo: Lynne Sladky, AP Image 1 of / 159 Caption Close Coronavirus updates: Washington cases continue to climb; Inslee donates ventilators 1 / 159 Back to Gallery

For more coverage, visit our complete coronavirus section here.

As more and more tests were made available and completed, the number of cases of COVID-19 in Washington steadily grew. The number of confirmed cases statewide as of Saturday at 11:59 p.m. jumped up to 7,984 including 338 deaths, according to the Washington State Department of Health.

King County Public Health's dashboard on Sunday said there were 3,167 cases, including 208 deaths.

The outbreak had reached 37 of Washington's counties this week, the majority of which were still in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties. Skamania, Asotin, Wahkiakum and Pend Oreille counties were the latest to report their first cases.

To read the latest updates about the COVID-19 outbreak in Washington state and the U.S. at large, scroll down.

April 5

Bronx Zoo tiger first animal in US tested positive

A tiger at the Bronx Zoo has tested positive for the new coronavirus, in what is believed to be the first known infection in an animal in the U.S. or a tiger anywhere, federal officials and the zoo said Sunday.

The 4-year-old Malayan tiger named Nadia — and six other tigers and lions that have also fallen ill — are believed to have been infected by a zoo employee who wasn't yet showing symptoms, the zoo said. The first animal started showing symptoms March 27, and all are doing well and expected to recover, said the zoo, which has been closed to the public since March 16 amid the surging coronavirus outbreak in New York.

To read the full story from the Associated Press, click here.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson hospitalized

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was diagnosed with the coronavirus more than a week ago, was admitted to a hospital Sunday for tests.

Johnson’s office said he was hospitalized because he still has symptoms 10 days after testing positive for the virus.

Downing St. said it was a “precautionary step” and he remains in charge of the government.

Johnson, 55, has been quarantined in his Downing St. residence since being diagnosed with COVID-19 on March 26.

To read the full story from the Associated Press, click here.

Gov. Jay Inslee to return 400 ventilators from national stockpile to New York, other states

The governor's office in a news release on Sunday said that due to statewide stay-at-home orders, the state would not need all the ventilators it was receiving from the national stockpile, and will instead send them to states where cases and deaths have been spiking recently.

"These ventilators are going to New York and others states hardest hit by this virus," Inslee said. "I’ve said many times over the last few weeks, we are in this together. This should guide all of our actions at an individual and state level in the coming days and weeks."

As of Saturday, Washington's death toll was a little more than 300. New York has recently confirmed over 4,000 COVID-19 deaths and more than 122,000 confirmed cases.

Oregon officials also announced they were sending 150 ventilators to New York.

"Thanks to the mitigation efforts the governor has put in place and the cooperation of Washingtonians, we have seen fewer infections in our communities than anticipated. Our current status allows us to help others who have a more immediate need," said Vice Admiral (ret.) Raquel Bono, director of the state's COVID-19 Health System Response Management.

From editor Alex Halverson.

DOH and CDC recommend wearing face masks

Both the Washington State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended that in places where people can't consistently maintain 6 feet of distance from others, they should at least be using cloth face masks.

The state gave trips to the grocery store, pharmacy or hospital as examples of places where these should be used.

In a news release, the DOH stressed the recommendation was not a substitute for the 6-foot distance guideline, as cloth face masks will not prevent the spread of COVID-19 without other protective measures such as social distancing and handwashing.

From editor Alex Halverson.

April 3

Psychiatric hospital to move patients out to relieve staff

State mental health officials plan to release as many as 60 patients from Washington's largest psychiatric hospital in order to reduce some of the stress that the new coronavirus has placed on staff at the 850-bed facility, officials said Friday.

Sixteen workers and six patients at Western State Hospital have tested positive for COVID-19 and one patient died.

"Moving some of the civil-commitment patients to group homes or supported-living facilities will help relieve some of the strain on the system," said Sean Murphy, Behavioral Health assistant secretary.

To read the full story, click here.

New campaign seeks to 'spread the facts' about COVID-19 in Washington state

A new public awareness campaign wants to "spread the facts" about the COVID-19 outbreak and how people can slow the spread of the virus across Washington.

The campaign -- launched by the Washington State Department of Health, Health Care Authority, Department of Social and Health Services and other agencies -- calls for people to "stay home, stay healthy and stay informed" about the crisis to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.

“Our top priority is making sure people know how important it is to stay home. The harder we hit this straight on, the faster we can get back to normal,” Gov. Jay Inslee said in a statement.

To read the full story from reporter Becca Savransky, click here.

King County approves $2.2M emergency childcare for first responders, essential workers

This week, King County City Council approved an emergency measure that would provide $2.2 million in funding for free childcare services for first responders and essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funding was requested by King County Executive Dow Constantine and passed unanimously by the Council on Tuesday to provide relief to families struggling to secure childcare as many facilities are closed due to the pandemic.

"When the King County Council created and adopted the plan for allocating this funding source, we made expanding access to childcare a top priority. We did not imagine then that the need would grow to be so emergent and acute," said King County Council Chair Claudia Balducci in a statement. "I am proud to work with the Executive and my Council colleagues to repurpose some of this money now to make sure child care is available to first responders, health care professionals, grocery workers and other essential personnel who need our support to keep fighting on the front lines of the battle against coronavirus."

To read the full story from reporter Callie Craighead, click here.

'Abuse thrives in isolation': Wash. stay-home orders could put domestic violence victims at risk

The widespread stay-at-home orders are one of the primary tools officials have to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. Stay home, stay healthy, experts have repeatedly said.

But for victims of domestic violence, those orders mean they could be forced into isolation with their abuser.

"Home is not a safe place for everyone," said Kelly Starr, managing director for public affairs with the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence. "And when you're confined to the home, that can be particularly dangerous for abuse that really thrives on silence and isolation."

Reports of domestic violence to Seattle police increased 21% between Feb. 29 and March 31, when compared to the time period last year. Between those dates, police received 1,010 reports, compared with 888 last year. Most of the calls were reports of a disturbance with “some type of DV element associated with it,” Det. Patrick Michaud said in an email.

To read the full story from reporter Becca Savransky, click here.

King County plans to move nearly 400 homeless residents to hotels amid COVID-19 outbreak

Nearly 400 people experiencing homelessness will be moved from shelters into hotels as part of King County's effort to reduce crowding in homeless shelters amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The county said it is finalizing its agreements with three hotels in the region. The spaces will be used to reduce the number of people in high-capacity shelters and will not serve as quarantine or isolation facilities for people experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.

The Sophia Way, Catholic Community Services and Downtown Emergency Service Center plan to move nearly 400 residents at their shelters to hotels in Bellevue, SeaTac and Renton.

To read the full story from reporter Becca Savransky, click here.

Seattle announces free parking in the city amid COVID-19 outbreak

People in Seattle won't have to pay for parking temporarily throughout the city amid the novel coronavirus outbreak, the mayor's office announced Friday.

The city said it is temporarily suspending paid and time-limited street parking rules, outside of restricted parking zones and loading zones. The changes will take effect Saturday.

“As we adapt to a new normal, we’ve pioneered new successful strategies to help residents and workers including new food pick up zones and new zones for health care workers and human service providers. To improve access to parking for the City’s essential workers, residents remaining at home, or residents visiting essential services, we can provide a small relief for paid parking,” Mayor Jenny Durkan said in a statement. “We will continue to evaluate and adjust parking regulations to support community needs until we make it through this pandemic.”

To read the full story from reporter Becca Savransky, click here.

Average distance traveled in Seattle drops drastically amid novel coronavirus outbreak, report says

The average distance traveled in Seattle dropped significantly from the end of February to the end of March as officials put into place orders to slow the the spread of the novel coronavirus.

An analysis of cellphone location data by The New York Times showed between Feb. 28 and March 27, travel in Seattle went from an average of 3.8 miles to an average of just 61 feet.

The data was based on anonymous cellphone data from 15 million people which looked at "the range that people travel each day."

Throughout March, state and local officials issued several orders to help slow the spread of the virus. Gov. Jay Inslee on March 11 initially put a ban on gatherings of more than 250 people. Later that week, he announced schools across the state would close for at least six weeks. Then, he closed all restaurants, bars and entertainment facilities, with the exception of takeout and delivery services.

To read the full story from reporter Becca Savransky, click here.

This story will be updated regularly as more information and news becomes available about the COVID-19 outbreak in Washington. To read more coverage, click here.

MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE: