2 more Tri-Cities coronavirus deaths. Public health prepares for influx of farm workers

Two more deaths from complications of COVID-19 were reported Thursday in Benton and Franklin counties.

The 14 deaths reported so far this week bring the total to 64 deaths.

The latest deaths were a Benton County woman in her 90s and a Franklin County man in his 70s, both with underlying health conditions.

The number of deaths, particularly in Benton County, may be partly explained by other health trends, said Rick Dawson, a senior manager for the Benton Franklin Health District.

All but three people who have died have had underlying health conditions that are risk factors for severe cases of COVID-19.

People who live in the Benton Franklin Health District area have higher rates of obesity, diabetes and asthma — all COVID-19 risk factors — than some other areas of the state, he said.

Four people in their 50s have died, but all other deaths have been people 60 or older, which is another risk for a severe case of COVID-19. All those under 60 who died had underlying health conditions.

Also, Richland and Kennewick have the majority of retirement and long-term care homes for the Tri-Cities area.

About 45 of 64 deaths in Benton and Franklin counties, or 70%, have been associated with senior care homes.

Tri-Cities COVID-19 outbreaks

While the number of daily reported cases in those homes has declined, the local health district is watching them closely as small groups of cases are still reported, public health officials said.

No new cases in residents were added to the known total of 158 cases but there were three more cases in employees at the homes for a total of 114.

The number of known COVID-19 cases caused by exposure to the new coronavirus increased by 15 to 1,162 on Thursday, as reported by the Benton Franklin Health District.

That was an increase of just over 1 percent.

The number of people hospitalized with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 increased to 40, up from 34 the day before. They account for 12 percent of the people being treated in hospitals in Richland, Kennewick, Pasco and Prosser.

Three more healthcare workers were diagnosed with COVID-19, bringing the total to 167 since the start of the outbreak.

They work directly with patients in places like hospitals, clinics or nursing homes or do work that can expose them to bodily fluids.

One more worker at Tyson Fresh Meats beef plant in Wallula was added to the total of those living in the Tri-Cities area with COVID-19. It brings the total of plant workers who have been infected with the virus and live in the Tri-Cities to 250.

Testing of all employees was done at the plant in late April and the Benton Franklin Health District continues to verify test results and county of residence for employees before adding them to its tally, which also includes workers diagnosed before testing was done at the Wallula plant south of Pasco in Walla Walla County.

Three workers who commuted to the Tyson plant from the Tri-Cities area have died of COVID-19.

Protecting ag workers

Health district officials say they are now preparing for an influx of seasonal agriculture workers.

It is providing information to employers and has put out an appeal for donations of homemade masks that can be worn by workers in fields and orchards.

Donated masks can be dropped off until 4 p.m. weekdays at Franklin County Emergency Management, 1011 E. Ainsworth St. in Pasco.

The local health district is coordinating its efforts with the Washington State Tree Fruit Association and with other nearby county health districts.

Overall, the number of known COVID-19 cases in Benton County reached 665 and the number of cases in Franklin County is 497.

Most of the cases are confirmed by testing, but 19% of the total are considered probable. For those, no testing results are available, but patients had symptoms and close contact with confirmed cases.

This story was originally published May 7, 2020 at 1:48 PM.