SEATTLE -- The death toll from the new coronavirus in Washington state reached 50 on Tuesday morning when Clark County health officials announced their first fatal cases.
Washington has the highest number of deaths in the U.S., with most being associated with a nursing home in Kirkland. By Monday, the number of positive cases topped 900.
Gov. Jay Inslee imposed strict new rules this week to help slow the spread of COVID-19. He mandated an immediate two-week closure of all restaurants, bars recreational facilities. He also increased the limits on large gatherings.
The new orders went into effect Monday night and will be in place through March 31.
“If we are living a normal life, we are not doing our jobs as Washingtonians,” Inslee said. “We cannot do that anymore. We need to make changes, regardless of size. All of us need to do more. We must limit the number of people we come in contact with. This is the new normal.”
King County continues to report the highest number of cases and deaths, with 488 cases as of Monday and 48 fatalities. Twenty-nine of those deaths were associated with the Life Care Center in Kirkland.
Snohomish County reported four deaths and had 200 positive cases. Grant County has lost one resident to the disease.
Washington state health officials are expected to update the situation across the state by mid-Tuesday. Eighteen counties have reported cases.
