Washington Reports 465 More Coronavirus Cases Saturday

SEATTLE — Washington State Department of Health officials reported 465 more confirmed coronavirus cases Saturday, bringing the total number of infections in Washington to 79,476 cases since the pandemic began in spring.

Washington no longer reports deaths over the weekend, so the death toll remains at 1,991. State data shows that about 2.5 percent of all coronavirus cases are fatal.

While case counts have been on the decline statewide over recent weeks, there is another reason to be cautious the next few days: the smoke. Though the coronavirus causes mild symptoms in most patients, except those without underlying health conditions, COVID-19 is a disease that attacks the respiratory system, and health care experts say smoke could severely complicate some cases.

As of Saturday evening, the Puget Sound Clean Air agency is reporting that air has reached unhealthy levels in across the whole Puget Sound region. They, and the Department of Health are urging everyone to limit their exercise and time outdoors, close windows and doors when it's smoky outside, and set air conditions to recirculate if possible. And while cloth facial coverings are still mandated to protect against the coronavirus, don't get overconfident, because they do almost nothing for the smoke.

“Cloth face coverings generally do not provide much protection from wildfire smoke, but they are still crucial in a pandemic,” said Secretary of Health John Wiesman. “We want people to continue to wear cloth face coverings to slow spread of COVID-19.”

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.