Amid the first U.S. death from coronavirus, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has declared a state of emergency.
"This will allow us to get the resources we need," Inslee, a former Democratic presidential candidate, said in a statement Saturday. "This is a time to take common-sense, proactive measures to ensure the health and safety of those who live in Washington state. Our state agency directors have been actively preparing since the nation's first case appeared in Snohomish County."
Seattle & King County Public Health announced the death of an individual with COVID-19, the first in the United States.
"Washingtonians can be assured we've taken this threat seriously and have been working in collaboration with our healthcare partners to develop plans and procedures to prepare for what could likely be a world-wide pandemic," Inslee's statement continued.
The emergency declaration allows the use of the Washington National Guard, if necessary.
The first U.S. case of COVID-19 was found in a Snohomish County man in January. He had traveled to Wuhan, China, and has now recovered. The state Department of Health announced two additional cases, Feb. 28 – a King County woman who had recently traveled to South Korea, and a Snohomish County teenager with no travel history. Both are recovering at home and remain in home isolation.
The Department of Health also announced last week the Public Health Lab in Shoreline now has the capability to test for cases of COVID-19, expediting results.
"This means our state can respond quickly and effectively," Inslee's statement concluded. "Our priority now is to slow the spread of this virus. Our healthcare professionals say the easiest way to do that is to practice good hygiene – wash your hands often, sanitize frequently touched surfaces and stay home when you're sick.
"Preventing future cases will require the work of all of us."
Eric Mack ✉
Eric Mack has been a writer and editor at Newsmax since 2016. He is a 1998 Syracuse University journalism graduate and a New York Press Association award-winning writer.
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