Hospitals treating record number of COVID patients. 130 new cases in Tri-Cities area
The Benton Franklin Health District reported 130 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Tri-Cities area and the number of people being treated for the illness in local hospitals hit an all-time high.
There are 89 patients being treated for confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases in Benton and Franklin county hospitals, up from the previous high of 78 on Tuesday.
That is up from 35 patients a month ago.
The number of people being treated for COVID-19 accounts for 28% of patients at the hospitals in Richland, Kennewick, Pasco and Prosser. It is the highest percentage of the pandemic.
No new deaths were reported Wednesday in the Tri-Cities area. There have been 73 deaths in Benton County and 24 deaths in Franklin County for a total of 97.
On Wednesday the local health district reassigned one of the deaths previously listed in Benton County to Franklin County.
The new cases reported on Wednesday bring the total to 2,925 since the start of the pandemic, including 1,522 cases in Benton County and 1,403 in Franklin County.
The 130 cases reported on Wednesday was among the highest counts to date.
On Tuesday the local health district reported just 26 new cases in Benton County and 18 in Franklin County.
The number of confirmed cases likely has increased in part as free, drive-thru testing began last week with the Washington National Guard providing the service at the Toyota Center in Kennewick and the HAPO Center, formerly TRAC, in Pasco. Call 211 or 877-211-5445 for an appointment.
The Benton Franklin Health District reported on Wednesday that there were 277 more people tested, for a total of 8,815 in Benton County and 200 more people tested in Franklin County for a total of 4,534.
Public health officials have said previously that the increase in hospital patients shows that the coronavirus is infecting more people in the Tri-Cities area.
COVID spreading
The majority of cases are being spread among people in the community, rather than through workplace outbreaks, according to health officials.
They are concerned that people are holding gatherings, including for sports practices and competitions and to socialize with friends and extended family. There also have been large protests and rallies.
The Tri-Cities area remains in Phase 1 of reopening, with the two counties’ applications to move to Phase 2 on pause. In Phase 2 gatherings with up to five nonfamily members are allowed.
Among the state’s concerns are the high number of new cases in the Tri-Cities area and too few people wearing masks in public places, such as stores that have been allowed to remain open.
The number of new cases reported Wednesday exceeds the state’s targets for the counties for two weeks. State health officials want to see no more than 50 cases total in two weeks in Benton County and 24 cases in Franklin County.
Starting Friday, masks will be mandatory across Washington state.
Masks have been required in most public spaces in Benton and Franklin counties since June 8, but the state order is more restrictive.
The statewide order requires children 5 and older to wear masks in public, while the local order applies to people ages 12 and older unless they are being supervised by parents or caregivers.
Masks should not be worn by children 2 or younger. Although the state is not requiring masks for children ages 3 and 4, they are encouraged.
This story was originally published June 24, 2020 at 2:30 PM.