SEATTLE (AP) — Hoping to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday banned gatherings and events of more than 250 people in three Western Washington counties covering hundreds of miles and millions of people.
Inslee’s proclamation applies to King, Snohomish and Pierce counties, which include the cities of Seattle, Tacoma and Everett, home to almost four million people. The order does not include schools or workplaces.
“This is not just your ordinary flu,” Inslee said. “This demands a response consistent with the nature of the threat.”
Washington has at least 25 COVID-19 deaths and more than 260 confirmed cases. Nineteen of the deaths are linked to one suburban Seattle nursing home and authorities in King County said the virus has spread to at least 10 long-term care facilities. King County had 190 confirmed cases, Snohomish reported 68 and Pierce had 14 cases.