1st coronavirus case reported in Eastern Washington. 70 cases confirmed in state

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A Quincy resident in their 80s is hospitalized in critical condition in what is the first known case of novel coronavirus in Eastern Washington.

The person is being treated for possible COVID-19 after a presumptive positive test result.

They are in isolation at Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee, the Grant County Health District announced Thursday.

The district said it was notified late Wednesday of the person’s hospitalization.

Testing was done at the University of Washington, which is waiting for confirmation at the State Public Health Lab, district officials said.

The Washington state Department of Health released Thursday morning that the number of confirmed coronavirus COVID-19 cases has jumped to 70 from Wednesday’s 39 cases, The News Tribune in Tacoma reports.

The death toll remains at 10.

Northwest COVID-19 cases

Snohomish County now has 18 cases, with one death; King County has 51 confirmed cases and nine deaths, and the new case was announced Wednesday morning in Grant County.

The state is no longer reporting how many people are under supervision, “consistent with other disease outbreaks, where the state generally only reports confirmed cases,” The News Tribune reported.

The Benton Franklin Health District will be releasing information only about confirmed cases and deaths — so far there are none — and has stopped reporting the number of people undergoing testing now that commercial testing is becoming available.

Vice President Mike Pence, who is leading the Trump administration’s national coronavirus response, was at Camp Murray on Thursday afternoon to meet with Gov. Jay Inslee.

On Monday, it was announced that a worker at Wildhorse Resort and Casino just east of Pendleton was hospitalized in Walla Walla for treatment of coronavirus.

That person lives in Umatilla County and was said to be the third positive case of COVID-19 among Oregon residents. Three people who had close contact with the person were tested and found not to be infected, Umatilla County Public Health announced Thursday.

The board of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation temporarily closed the casino and hotel for deep cleaning. They reopened 48 hours later on Wednesday.

Umatilla County Public Health said it had received reports of prejudice against people of Asian descent and members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation out of unfounded fears they may have the virus.

“It is imperative to understand that COVID-19 does not target people of any certain race, ethnicity or country of origin, and people should not make assumptions about someone’s health status based on those factors,” it said.

The board of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation temporarily closed the casino and hotel for deep cleaning. They reopened 48 hours later on Wednesday.

The Walla Walla Community College women’s basketball team was scheduled to play in a tournament Thursday night at Everett Community College. A student there tested positive for COVID-19 and the college closed for cleaning at noon Thursday.

The Northwest Athletic Conference canceled the tournament and has not rescheduled.

Newest coronavirus case

In the Grant County case, the person “did not report any recent travel outside of the country, indicating the illness may have been acquired locally,” the health district said in a news release.

“Those who had close contact with the patient have been asked to quarantine,” the release said. “The investigation for the source continues.”

A second patient tested in Grant County had a negative test of the virus, and the health district lifted the quarantines for those exposed to that patient at Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake.

The health district said there are no new patients from Grant County under official investigation for the virus, but “we expect that to change as this global situation continues to evolve.”

Tri-Cities events canceled

In the Tri-Cities, events continue to be canceled over concerns about the novel coronavirus.

On Thursday Pacific Northwest National Laboratory announced that the Battelle 90th Anniversary Community Reception scheduled next week in Richland was being postponed.

“Several Battelle representatives and invited guests intended to travel for this special occasion, but considering the current COVID-19 virus situation, both Battelle and PNNL believe it’s prudent to minimize travel at this time,” invited guests were told.

Battelle is the Department of Energy contractor managing the national laboratory in Richland.

Ye Merrie Greenwood Renaissance Faire, a Meals on Wheels fundraising breakfast and a Badger Club forum also have been canceled.

Meals on Wheels remains open and continues to serve meals to seniors.

Protecting against COVID-19

The local health district is recommending that people use good hygiene habits, such as washing their hands often for at least 20 seconds; coughing into a tissue or elbow; and avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth.

People at high risk of a serious illness from COVID-19 should stay away from people who are ill. Those most at risk are those 60 and older or who have health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease or a weakened immune system.

However, at this time it is widely recommending that large public gatherings be canceled.

King County is recommending those people at higher risk of severe illness and pregnant women avoid public places with lots of people and large gatherings.

It recommends postponing, if possible, events and gatherings that would bring together a large number of people in the Seattle area.

Visits to hospitals, nursing homes or other adult-care facilities should be avoided, but those who do go should stay six feet away from patients, according to Seattle and King County Public Health.

Several Tri-Cities nursing homes and assisted living centers are already limiting visitors to medical workers.

Tri-City area residents with questions about coronavirus, such as how the virus is spread or what to do if they have symptoms, should call the Washington state Department of Health coronavirus call center at 800-525-0127 and press#.

The Benton Franklin Health District is asking that people not go to the emergency rooms unless essential. Those with symptoms such as coughing, fever and other respiratory problems, should call their regular doctor first.

Health insurance eased

The Washington state insurance commissioner, Mike Kreidler, issued an emergency order on Thursday to ease health insurance requirements for those tested or treated for COVID-19.

The order covers most health insurance companies authorized in Washington state, but not the coverage offered by any employer choosing to self-insure.

He is requiring health insurers in the state to waive copays and deductibles for any consumer requiring testing for COVID-19.

Insurers must also allow a one-time early refill for prescription drugs and suspend any prior authorization requirement for treatment or testing for COVID-19.

In addition, if a health insurer has no medical providers in its network for testing and treatment for COVID-19, it must allow patients to be treated by another provider within a reasonable distance at no additional cost.

The insurance commissioner is authorized to issue an emergency order to ensure access to health care when the governor issues an emergency proclamation, as Gov. Jay Inslee did on Saturday.

Kreidler’s order lasts 60 days and can be extended for an additional 30 days as long as the governor’s emergency proclamation remains in effect.

Beware of scams

The Washington state attorney general, Bob Ferguson, is warning consumers about possible scams preying on COVID-19 fears.

“Washingtonians may see people advertising products or services they claim treat or cure the disease,” he said. “There is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for COVID-19 at this time.”

Any claims that a product or service can cure or destroy the virus are likely false and should be reported at atg.wa.gov/file-complaint, he said.

This story was originally published March 5, 2020 at 11:43 AM.