New coronavirus deaths in Washington show why widespread testing matters

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Three new deaths caused by the new coronavirus were reported in King County, Washington where an outbreak is occurring among patients at a nursing facility. There are now 14 cases in King County, including five deaths — two of which were previously reported. A sixth patient, whose case originated in Snohomish County, also died.
The deaths were in a man in his 70s, a woman in her 70s, and a woman in her 80s. Two of the three were patients at Life Care Center, a nursing facility in Kirkland, Washington. Another new case, a woman in her 80s who has been hospitalized, was also linked to Life Care. That brings the number of cases that are linked to Life Care to nine.
Long-term care facilities “provide an ideal environment for acquisition and…

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