VANCOUVER ISLAND

Washington state reports 576 new COVID-19 cases, 15 deaths on weekend

Published Monday, August 17, 2020 8:31AM PDT Last Updated Monday, August 17, 2020 11:15AM PDT

A medical assistant prepares to take a swab from a patient at a new drive-thru and walk-up coronavirus testing site in Seattle, Saturday, April 25, 2020. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Elaine Thompson)

Text:

OLYMPIA, WASH. -- The Washington State Department of Health on Sunday reported 576 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 15 deaths.

King County continues to have the highest numbers in Washington, with 17,623 cases and 694 deaths. Yakima County is second, with 10,625 cases and 221 deaths. Pierce is third with cases at 6,150.

The Olympian reports Pierce County reported 55 new cases and no new deaths on Saturday. Pierce County had a total of 132 deaths likely caused by COVID-19 as of Saturday, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.

Statewide totals from the illness caused by the coronavirus are at 67,461 cases and 1,781 deaths, up from 66,885 cases and 1,766 deaths on Friday.

Thirty-seven people with confirmed COVID-19 cases were admitted to Washington state hospitals on Aug. 8, the most recent date with complete data. Late March had two days with 88 people admitted, the highest numbers to date during the pandemic.

The total number of tests conducted is temporarily unavailable, according to the DOH. On Aug. 8, 6,394 specimens were collected statewide, with 5.4% testing positive. The average positive test rate for the seven days prior was 7%.

The test numbers reflect only polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, which are given to patients while the virus is presumably still active in the body.

All counties in Washington have cases. Garfield and Wahkiakum have case counts of fewer than 10.