WA state has 457 cases of coronavirus, 31 deaths. Local offices close, schools prepare

Two more people have died from coronavirus in Washington state, bringing the total to 31, according to the Washington state Department of Health.

On Thursday the Benton-Franklin Health District had no confirmed cases. However, Thursday evening it announced a news conference on Friday with an update on the status of COVID-19 in the community.

The cases statewide on Thursday numbered 457, after a jump in Snohomish County from 68 to 108. And there were 36 new cases in King County for a total of 270.

All but four of the deaths were in King County.

In Eastern Washington, three new cases of the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in Yakima and Columbia counties.

Previously, cases had been reported in Grant and Kittitas counties.

Organizations in the Tri-Cities area continue to cancel events, schools are changing policies and some local government agencies have closed their offices, saying they want to protect staff and customers.

Yakima and Grant counties

The Yakima Health District said it has two cases in the county and both of those patients were isolated.

Both people had been at the Yakima Square and Round Dance Center in Moxee, where they came in contact with a woman from Kittitas County with COVID-19 before she was diagnosed, according to the Yakima Herald-Republic.

Columbia County Public Health said that a resident there, who was older than 60, tested positive for the novel coronavirus on Wednesday.

The person had traveled overseas, where they are presumed to have been exposed. They had not visited any store or attended any community events since returning home. They are recovering at home.

Another person in Columbia County is on home isolation, according to Columbia County Public Health.

Health officials consider the community at large in the county to be at low risk of exposure, but should take precautions that prevent the spread of COVID-19 and influenza, health officials said.

In the Tri-Cities, the Benton Franklin Health District has been notified of cruise passengers who will be returning to the Tri-Cities area and are at moderate risk of COVID-19 returning to the community.

They have no symptoms and had been deemed safe to travel, the health district said.

The passengers have been advised to self-quarantine and to call their medical providers if any symptoms develop.

The only death reported in Eastern Washington has been an elderly Grant County patient.

School update

Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday ordered all public and private K-12 schools in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties to close for the next six weeks, starting March 17.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has ordered all gatherings with more than 250 people canceled in the state for four weeks.

The order does not include school, but most school gathering and activities should be canceled, including parent meetings, field trips and competitions, she said.

Walla Walla Public Schools suspended events starting Thursday that would take students or staff out of the district or bring other students into the district.

The policy includes home and away athletic contests, field trips and music competitions.

“This decision came after careful consideration, including consultation with local health officials this morning,” said Superintendent Wade Smith. “This decision did not come lightly, but is necessary to ensure the health and safety of our students, staff and community as we respond to this pandemic health crisis.”

Pasco School District said on Thursday that if circumstances change in the Mid-Columbia, school closures could be a “real possibility in the near future.” It is finalizing contingency plans for how that would work in the Pasco schools.

“We recognize a closure of our schools will be highly disruptive to many of our families and staff members,” the district said in a statement. “We are committed to preparing for options while keeping our community safe and healthy.”

Events canceled

Events in the Tri-Cities continue to be canceled as a precaution, even though it is not included in an order issued by Inslee on Wednesday ending large gatherings in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties.

The Friends Book Store inside the Richland Public Library has closed to protect volunteers and shoppers.

But tables of books and shelves of paperback books in the entry section of the library will be kept stocked for purchase for a quarter to a dollar each.

The Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce has postponed its annual meeting and awards luncheon March 18.

The Blue Mountain Council of Boy Scouts of America has postponed its Friends of Scouting Leadership Breakfast with retired Gen. Jim Mattis on March 19.

It is rescheduled to 7 a.m. Aug. 13 at the Pasco Red Lion, when Mattis will again be available.

Although a blow to fundraising efforts, postponing the event to help prevent spread of the novel coronavirus is a way that Scouts can be “helpful, friendly, courteous, kind and brave.”

The Lower Columbia Basin Audubon Society has canceled its fundraising breakfast at Applebee’s set for March 14.

The March for Respect at John Dam Plaza in Richland in support of people with developmental disabilities on March 21 will be rescheduled.

Tri-City offices close

Kennewick Irrigation District and the Port of Kennewick have closed their offices to the public to protect visitors and their staff.

The KID drop box at 2015 S. Ely St. can be used to make payments, including cash payments. Payments also may be made by calling 509-586-9111 or at kid.org. Credit and debit card fees are being waived during the office closure.

The Port of Kennewick also has a drop for payments at its office, which is on the marina side of its building at 350 Clover Island Drive.

Port staff can be reached at 509-586-1186 and are prepared to handle paperwork, including for marina slips, through email, fax and conference calls.

Franklin PUD remains open and is extending the hours of its drive-up window at its Pasco office by 30 minutes in the morning and evening from March 16 to May 1 to allow for “social distance” to help prevent coronavirus infection.

The drive-thru at 1411 W. Clark street will be open 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The public utility district also reminds customers that it has drop boxes at its main Pasco office, at the TRAC event center at 6605 in Pasco and at Connell City Hall.

It also offers a pay-by-phone system by calling 844-203-6545 and its SmartHub online payment system.

This story was originally published March 12, 2020 at 5:43 PM.