By Lisa Baumann / Associated Press
SEATTLE — Health officials reported 2,147 additional COVID-19 cases and 12 deaths in Washington on Friday, setting a new record for daily reported cases in a trend officials described as alarming.
Washington state’s previous high was set last week with nearly 1,700 COVID-19 cases in a single day.
“We all must take immediate action if we want to avoid overwhelming our hospital systems,” Secretary of Health John Wiesman said in an email Friday evening. “And we must take action now to save lives — lives of the people we care for and love.”
The most recent update brings the state’s reported totals to 125,498 cases and 2,519 deaths, according to the state Department of Health.
State officials also reported that 9,266 people have been hospitalized in the state due to the virus, with dozens of new hospitalizations since Wednesday. In King County, state health officials have confirmed a total of 33,043 COVID-19 diagnoses and 836 deaths.
To help slow the surge, officials on Friday urged people to avoid indoor social gatherings, wear face coverings when going out and get tested if they have symptoms or close contact with someone who has the virus.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and his wife, Trudi, on Thursday urged people to rethink gatherings and holiday travel plans, and the governor said additional measures to stem virus spread will be announced soon.
The governors of California, Oregon and Washington also on Friday issued travel advisories urging people entering or returning to their states to self-quarantine to slow COVID-19 spread as infections spike across the U.S.
For most, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks, although long-term effects are unknown. But for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
