Deaths rise in state coronavirus outbreak

The coronavirus death count in Washington reached nine on Tuesday, Feb. 3, including two people whose test results were released posthumously.On Monday, when six deaths had been reported, health officials asked state lawmakers for $100 million to attack the outbreak

As of Tuesday, 27 people tested positive for the virus in Snohomish and King counties, up from 18 the day before.

The three newly confirmed deaths were all residents of Life Care Center nursing home in Kirkland, which has been the nexus for multiple infected patients, some of whom were employees at the facility.

To date, eight of the deaths have been in King County, the other in Snohomish County.

All the confirmed deaths to this point have been elderly people or people with underlying health problems.

Sources: King County Department of Health and Snohomish County Department of Health

CDC Coronavirus Guidelines

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

• Stay home when you are sick.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

• Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.

— CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.

Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

• Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands.