SEATTLE — At least 12 workers and four patients at Washington’s largest psychiatric hospital have tested positive for the new coronavirus and one patient has died from the disease, officials said Monday.
The 85-year-old Western State Hospital patient tested positive on March 21 and died Thursday, the Washington Department of Social and Health Services told The Associated Press. The other patient who tested positive has since fully recovered, the agency said.
“We are profoundly sorry to learn that our patient passed; our staff cares deeply about our patients and losses like this are always difficult,” said Sean Murphy, DSHS assistant secretary for the Behavioral Health Administration. “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of our patient. We will continue to make the health and safety of our patients and staff a priority during this unprecedented time.”
The hospital is continuously monitoring all patients for COVID-19 symptoms and is limiting movement of patients on wards as a precaution, they said.