Franklin Co. has 2nd highest coronavirus rate in state. 55 new cases in Tri-Cities

The number of known COVID-19 cases in the Tri-Cities increased in healthcare workers, Tyson plant workers and the elderly, according to data released Monday.

The Benton Franklin Health District had verified no more deaths by Monday morning in addition to the 50 reported on Friday.

But the Washington state Department of Health and local health data combined show up to 55 people have died in Benton and Franklin counties to date.

They include five deaths in Franklin County that local health officials have not verified yet through death certificates, which can take several days.

Both the local health district and state Department of Health report 44 deaths of Benton County residents. The state reports 11 deaths in Franklin County residents and local officials report six.

Known cases increased 5 percent on Saturday, 4 percent on Sunday and 5 percent on Monday to a total of 1,113 confirmed and probable cases in the two counties, according to local health officials.

The total for the two counties increased by 55 between Sunday and Monday.

The number of people hospitalized in the two counties with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 has dropped to 31, down from 40 as of six days ago. They account for 11 percent of the people hospitalized in Richland, Kennewick, Pasco and Prosser.

Neither hospitals nor the health district is releasing information about how many of those patients are in intensive care units or other information about patient conditions.

Tyson COVID-19 outbreak

Franklin County has the second highest new coronavirus infection rate among counties in the state, with 325 known cases per 100,000, according to The Associated Press.

Yakima County had the highest rate with 455 known cases per 100,000 residents, compared to a state average of 185 cases per 100,000 residents..

Both counties have many agriculture and food processing jobs, where people may work and sometimes live in close quarters, which can spread the disease.

The Associated Press data was compiled before most Tyson test results had been released.

Increases in the bicounty numbers have been expected as all employees at the Tyson Fresh Meats plant south of Pasco in Wallula were tested for infection with the new coronavirus starting April 26, with most of the results coming into the Walla Walla County Department of Community Health from Friday through Sunday.

With just 22 test results outstanding of 1,258 employees tested, there were 144 positive tests, Walla Walla County officials reported. The majority of workers at the plant live in the Tri-Cities area.

The Benton Franklin Health District reported 205 residents of Benton and Franklin counties have been infected with the new coronavirus due to the outbreak at the beef slaughter and testing plant as it continues to verify data and determine where workers live.

Many of the cases were reported before testing at the plant began as workers fell ill through March, prompting staff testing.

The outbreak at the plant is blamed for the deaths of two people in Benton and Franklin counties.

Tri-Cities cases

The number of Tri-Cities healthcare workers who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic increased to 154 on Monday, up from 149 as reported from Friday through the weekend.

The health district includes anyone in the total of 154 who was involved in direct patient care at a clinic, hospital or long term care facility and those exposed to bodily fluids on the job.

Cases in retirement homes and nursing and other long-term care homes, with some of the most vulnerable members of the community, continue to be reported.

Ten more cases in residents were announced Monday for a total of 156, and four more cases in staff were announced for a total of 108.

COVID-19 deaths associated with senior living or long-term care facilities account for 37 of the 50 deaths reported by the health district, or 74 percent.

All but one of the 50 people who died had underlying health conditions and most were 60 and older, both of which increase the risk for a severe illness from the new coronavirus.

Cases have been reported in people of all ages, with people of the ages that make up the majority of the local workforce having the most cases. There have been 179 known cases in people in their 20s, 187 for people in their 30s, 188 for people in their 40s and 186 for people in their 50s.

Known cases drop once people reach their 60s with 106 cases reported for that age group, and the number dropping further for people in their 70s, 80s and 90s.

There have been 82 cases reported in people younger than 20.

The number of known cases reported from the start of the pandemic in Benton County is 645 and in Franklin County is 468.

The majority of cases, 81 percent, were confirmed by testing. The others are considered probable because no test results are available but people had symptoms and close contact with a person with a confirmed case.

Benton Franklin Health District does not compile information about how many people have recovered, instead focusing its limited resources on tracking close contacts of new cases.

It is seeking volunteers with healthcare or related science education or experience to help with its work to identify close contacts to help contain the spread of the new coronavirus. It also wants volunteers to act as interpreters as it contacts immigrants.