Whatcom County has no new confirmed cases of COVID-19 Thursday, number remains at 7
Whatcom County has no new confirmed cases of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, according to information released at noon Thursday, March 19, from the Whatcom County Health Department.
That means the number of people who have tested positive for the respiratory illness so far remains at seven in Whatcom County.
Also, on Thursday the number of negative test results in Whatcom County grew by 11 to 220.
More than 236,400 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed worldwide, with more than 9,700 deaths as of Thursday afternoon, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States has more than 11,200 confirmed cases, with at least 157 deaths.
The Washington State Department of Health reported 74 deaths and 1,376 confirmed cases in the state as of Thursday afternoon. Confirmed cases are now in 24 of the state’s 39 counties, including 18 reported cases in Skagit County just to the south of Whatcom.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
COVID-19, the new coronavirus, is a disease caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2.
The disease is spread through contact between people within six feet of each other, especially through coughing and sneezing that expels respiratory droplets that land in the mouths or noses of people nearby.
Although most of the cases have been mild, the disease is especially dangerous for the elderly and others with weaker immune systems.
Click the drop-down icon in the upper right of this card for more information on symptoms and how to stop its spread.
What you can do
Here’s what you can do to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, according to the Whatcom County Health Department.
▪ Keep six feet between yourself and others when in public.
▪ Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
▪ Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth with hands that haven’t been washed.
▪ Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, throw the tissue in the trash and then wash your hands.
▪ Stay home if you feel sick. Avoid others who are sick.
▪ If your symptoms are severe and require medical care, call your doctor first.
State Department of Health data also showed that 15,918 have tested negative.
Of those who tested positive in the state:
▪ 2% were 0 to 19 years old.
▪ 8% were 20 to 29 years old.
▪ 13% were 30 to 39 years old.
▪ 14% were 40 to 49 years old
▪ 16% were 50 to 59 years old.
▪ 16% were 60 to 69 years old.
▪ 15% were 70 to 79 years old.
▪ 16% are 80 years old and up.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The number of negative test results in Whatcom County was corrected at 11:38 a.m. on March 20, 2020.
This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 12:54 PM with the headline "Whatcom County has no new confirmed cases of COVID-19 Thursday, number remains at 7."
