SEATTLE, WA — Nine people have now died from the new coronavirus in Washington, including a patient who died on Feb. 26 and was not known to have the illness at the time of their death, public health officials said Tuesday. The deaths include eight people in King County and one person in Snohomish County, with the total number of COVID-19 cases in each county rising to 21 and six respectively.

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Seattle and King County Public Health said two deaths related to the virus were confirmed since Monday, along with the death of a person who was previously reported ill. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 illnesses in King County grew by seven.



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A Harborview spokesperson said the Feb. 26 patient had underlying health conditions and was a resident at the Kirkland senior facility now connected to at least four other deaths and eight COVID-19 infections. King County Public Health announced the first known death connected to the virus on Feb. 29. The hospital said some staff at Harborview's intensive care unit may have been exposed to the virus and are being monitored and screened in coordination with public health workers.



"This is a massive undertaking and we have a talented, dedicated team digging in to learn everything we can to protect the health of our community," Public Health said in a news release. "What we have seen with the level of community spread has raised the level of concern about the immediate threat of COVID-19, particularly for vulnerable populations such as people over 60, those with underlying health conditions or who are immune compromised."

"This is a very fluid, fast-moving situation as we aggressively respond to this outbreak," said Dr. Jeff Duchin, the health officer for King County. According to the Department of Health, a combined 27 infections and 9 deaths have been linked to COVID-19 in King and Snohomish counties. So far, the illness has not been confirmed elsewhere in the state.