The Josephine Caring Community in Stanwood. (Andy Bronson / Herald file)

The Josephine Caring Community in Stanwood. (Andy Bronson / Herald file)

Big COVID outbreak at Josephine Caring Community in Stanwood

Since Oct. 26, 94 people, including residents and staff, have tested positive for the coronavirus.

STANWOOD — A long-term care facility in Stanwood has dealt with 94 new COVID cases since Oct. 26, the Snohomish Health District reported Friday.

At Josephine Caring Community, 53 residents and 41 employees have tested positive for the virus. It’s the largest long-term care home outbreak recorded during the pandemic, according to health district data.

“As we learned early on in this pandemic, COVID-19 infections can spread incredibly fast in congregate living environments like these,” said Dr. Chris Spitters, the county’s health officer, in a news release. “This is why we have taken such drastic measures in Snohomish County and statewide to protect these vulnerable populations. I implore everyone to double-down their efforts so we can prevent more scenarios like this from happening.”

The first new case at Josephine was recorded on Oct. 26. In the past two to three days, the number of cases has tripled.

“Once it gets into a congregate setting like this, it spreads like wildfire,” health district spokesperson Heather Thomas said.

Josephine Caring Community provides assisted living, transitional rehabilitation services and long-term care.

As of Friday, there were a couple of hospitalizations linked to the outbreak but no known deaths, she said.

Cases span all areas of the facility’s campus, except the home health unit.

“The concern was always that it was going to leak into long-term care facilities and cause an uptick in hospitalizations,” she said. “We’re certainly seeing that now in Snohomish County.”

The outbreak comes as Snohomish County, and much of Washington, has experienced record-shattering highs in COVID case counts. Hospitalizations from the virus are also on the rise.

So far, local and state health jurisdictions haven’t pinpointed a single event that could have spurred the outbreak.

With increased virus transmission, the risk of employees or visitors bringing COVID into long-term care homes rises, Spitters said earlier this week.

Weeks ago, the health district reported a large outbreak at Regency Care Monroe, where more than 50 people tested positive for COVID-19.

This is the second outbreak to hit the Stanwood facility since the pandemic landed in Snohomish County.

In March, Josephine Caring Community went into lockdown after a handful of positive test results.

By mid-April, there were 33 cases linked to the facility, and at least six people had died.

As of Monday, there were four outbreaks at long-term care homes in the county, including Josephine and Regency Care Monroe.

Joey Thompson: 425-339-3449; jthompson@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @byjoeythompson.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Cars drive along Cathcart Way next to the site of the proposed Eastview Village development that borders Little Cedars Elementary on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in unincorporated Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Council denies latest Eastview Village appeal

Council members affirmed previous approvals of the development planned off Cathcart Way near Highway 9.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Everett
Everett police: Man sold drugs to woman prior to fatal overdose

The man, who faces a charge under the state’s controlled substance homicide law, remains in Snohomish County Jail on more than $1M bond.

Missing Marysville boy, 10, found safe and sound

Police said the boy was last seen Sunday morning before leaving to go for a run at a nearby middle school.

Red tape hangs in the front of the entrance to a burned down Center for Human Services building along 204th Street on Monday, July 7, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood fire destroys behavioral health nonprofit building

The cause of the fire is under investigation. The building housed an intensive mental health support program for youth and families.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Gold Bar in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Lynnwood man dies in fatal crash on US 2 near Gold Bar

The Washington State Patrol said the driver was street racing prior to the crash on Friday afternoon.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.