Death toll now at 5 in Washington state from novel coronavirus

Published 11:30 am Monday, March 2, 2020

The Washington State Department of Health said Monday that the number of fatalities from novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has risen to five.

All of the deaths occurred in King County.

State health officials said Monday there are currently 18 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Washington; four in Snohomish County and 14 in King County.

Health officials note that the general American public “is unlikely to be exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 at this time, so the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is considered low.”

Healthcare workers who are caring for patients with COVID-19 are at elevated risk of exposure, and so are people who have had close contact with persons with COVID-19.

Officials said travelers returning from affected international locations where community spread is occurring are at an elevated risk of exposure.

The state Department of Health has set up a call center to respond to public questions on the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19).

People who have questions about what is happening in Washington, how the virus is spread, and what to do if you have symptoms, can call 1-800-525-0127 and press #.