709 New Cases, 7 More Deaths

SEATTLE, WA — State health officials reported seven new deaths and 709 additional coronavirus cases in Washington on Friday, with the highest daily case counts in King, Snohomish and Spokane counties.

Per the latest available information, 96,894 patients have tested positive in the state since the crisis began, and 2,239 people have died from complications linked to COVID-19. At least 4,267 new illnesses have been confirmed in Washington over the last seven days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s case tracker.

Most Washington counties still show a rate of cases by population higher than the target threshold of 25 cases per 100,000 residents over 14 days. At least 19 of the state’s 39 counties are in the highest transmission bracket, including King and Pierce counties, where rates have recently increased.

As of Friday, health labs had processed nearly 2.2 million tests in Washington since the public health crisis began.

US surpasses 8 million coronavirus cases; highest one-day rise in months

The United States surpassed 8 million coronavirus cases Friday as the nation’s death toll climbed above 218,400, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. More than 65,000 cases were added to tallies across the country Friday, representing the largest one-day rise the U.S. has seen since late July.

According to the New York Times, 17 states are battling surges worse than ever before, and 41 states have seen cases trend upward over the last two weeks. The newspaper reports deaths linked to the virus have remained flat, at about 700 per day, but epidemiologists warn that indicators suggest the country is again heading the wrong direction.

Coronavirus outbreak at Harborview surgical unit

A coronavirus outbreak at Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center has infected 10 staffers and four patients, including one who died, the hospital announced Friday. Harborview is the region’s only Level 1 trauma center.

In a news briefing Friday, hospital officials said the first illnesses were identified near the beginning of October, prompting the closure of the unit to new patients and widespread testing.

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Hospital officials are still to determine how the virus made its way into the unit. While the source is still unknown, hospital leadership said it likely originated from a health care worker unwittingly exposed to the virus in their everyday lives.

Dr. John Lynch, director of Harborview’s Infection Control program, said rising coronavirus activity throughout King County creates the conditions that make outbreaks more likely to occur, even with proven health and safety measures in place.

“This is a virus that preys upon any variation in behavior,” Lynch said. “We have very robust personal protective equipment to keep health care workers safe and to keep patients safe. But, when we vary from that, in any way, shape, or form — in the community or at work — this virus takes advantage of it.”

Read more: Coronavirus Outbreak At Harborview Infects 4 Patients, 1 Dead

AMC, Cinemark theaters reopen in Washington at limited capacity

More than a dozen AMC theaters and five Cinemark locations opened Friday, under newly-relaxed guidelines for movie theaters operating in Washington.

Under Gov. Jay Inslee’s guidance, theaters in Phase 2 counties can welcome moviegoers at 25 percent capacity, with visitors seated at least six feet from those outside their household. Counties in Phase 3 can operate theaters at 50 percent capacity.

Face coverings are required except when consuming food or beverages, which is only allowed while seated inside the theater. Screening times must also be limited and staggered to reduce crowding in common areas, restrooms and concession areas. Theaters are also required to adjust their ventilation systems to filter in outside air and operate HVAC systems with MERV 13 filters.

Read more: AMC, Cinemark Theaters Reopen In Washington

Total coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths by county:

The above numbers are provided by the state Department of Health, and some numbers differ from the totals provided separately by county health agencies.

This article originally appeared on the Redmond Patch