Another coronavirus death in the Tri-Cities area. Total is 69
One more death was reported in the Tri-Cities area on Tuesday due to complications of the new coronavirus, bringing the total to 69.
The most recently announced death was a Benton County man in his 80s, who was at risk of a serious case of COVID-19 both because of his age and underlying health conditions.
The number of known cases in Benton and Franklin counties increased by 14 on Tuesday to 1,253. It was an increase of barely over 1%.
Although the rate of new case reports has generally averaged at least slightly lower in the last few days than most of April and early May, public health officials are watching for a flat or downward trend over two to three weeks as an indication that the Tri-Cities area is better containing the spread of the new coronavirus.
No new cases were reported on Tuesday in Tri-Cities area residents working at the Tyson Fresh Meats plant south of Pasco at Wallula, with the total standing at 250.
But there were new cases in the other two outbreaks being tracked by the Benton Franklin Health District.
There were five more cases added to the total of 169 in residents of retirement communities and long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes, since the start of the pandemic.
Some 48 of 69 deaths reported by the local health district are associated with the retirement and long-term care homes, or 70 percent of deaths.
Three of the deaths have been Tyson beef plant workers.
One more healthcare worker has been infected with the new coronavirus, bringing the total since the start of the pandemic to 176.
The number of patients hospitalized with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 dropped from 40 on Monday to 36 on Tuesday in hospitals in Richland, Pasco, Kennewick and Prosser. They account for 13 percent of hospitalized patients in Benton and Franklin counties.
Tri-Cities deaths, cases
The number of cases to date in Benton County total 723 and the number of cases in Franklin County total 530.
More than 80 percent of cases were confirmed by testing, with no test results available for the remainder. However, they had symptoms and close contact with confirmed cases.
The deaths include 55 people in Benton County and 14 in Franklin County.
The Washington state Department of Health is reporting two additional deaths in Franklin County, that local public health officials have not confirmed by checking information on death certificates.
All but three people who died had underlying health conditions and all but four were 60 or older. The four younger people were in their 50s and all had underlying health conditions.
Being 60 or older and having underlying health conditions — such as diabetes, obesity, asthma or other lung conditions or heart conditions — are risk factors for a more serious case of COVID-19.
This story was originally published May 12, 2020 at 1:53 PM.