Coronavirus

SEATTLE - As the cases of COVID-19 increase in our state with close to 1,800 cases and 94 deaths reported on Saturday, the need for people to practice social distancing guidelines is more crucial than ever.State and federal officials are recommending avoidance of social gatherings, staying home, keeping a safe distance of about 6 feet from each other, and frequent hand-washing.

Seattle's Trophy Cupcakes has found a way to not only keep business coming in, but keep goodwill going out during the Coronavirus outbreak.

The state reported an additional 11 deaths Saturday, bringing its total to at least 94, the most in the United States. Washington now has close to 1,800 confirmed cases. Those numbers are expected to continue to rise.

NEW YORK -- Burgeoning coronavirus outbreaks at nursing homes in Washington, Illinois, New Jersey and elsewhere are laying bare the industry’s long-running problems, including a struggle to control infections and a staffing crisis that relies on poorly paid aides who can’t afford to stay home sick.That came into clear focus at the deadliest single spot in the nation’s coronavirus crisis, the Life Care Center in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland, where federal investigators believe a contributing factor in 35 deaths so far was low-pay workers who came to work with the illness and potentially even spread it to other nearby facilities where they took shifts.Beyond that outbreak, at least 15 more have died and dozens have been infected at long-term care facilities across the nation, with major outbreaks of 46 infected in the Chicago suburb of Willowbrook, four deaths at two facilities in New Jersey, 13 infected in Little Rock, Arkansas, and 11 infected in Troy, Ohio, with 30 more showing symptoms.“Nursing homes would always have been ground zero, but given we already have huge staffing shortages, this will be magnified,” said David Grabowski, a Harvard Medical School professor who has studied staffing problems at homes. “It could be worse for today’s nursing homes than ever.”A person is loaded into an ambulance at the Life Care Center in Kirkland, Wash., near Seattle.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Gov.

SEATTLE -- Washington health officials say the death toll from the novel coronavirus reached 81 on Friday as the number of positive cases in the state topped 1,500.

SEATTLE -- Boeing employees in the region say they are increasingly worried about the spread of COVID-19 as more coworkers test positive for the virus.

SEATTLE – The quickly spreading coronavirus pandemic spurred the United States State Department to warn all Americans to avoid traveling overseas.But many tourists were already offshore by that time and now some travelers find themselves trapped with no way to get home.

SEATTLE - Hundreds of people flocked to Alki Beach on the first day of spring, despite state warnings and restrictions that aim to slow the spread of the coronavirus.Officials with the state Department of Health COVID-19 Response Team say outdoor activities are recommended, as long as you follow the guidelines.State and federal officials are recommending avoidance of social gatherings, recommending people keep a safe distance of about six feet from each other, and recommend frequent hand washing.On Alki Beach Thursday, social distancing seemed to not be a thought.“It’s packed, and even people are saying, ‘what about the social distancing,’ People are out here living their life.

SEATTLE – The impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak are causing uncertainty and trying times for many people.

WASHINGTON — The White House says a member of Vice President Mike Pence’s staff has tested positive for coronavirus.Pence’s spokeswoman Katie Miller said Friday that the staff member, who is not being identified, did not have “close contact” to either the vice president or President Donald Trump.Miller said contact tracing, or contacting everyone the individual has been in contact with, is being conducted in accordance with guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Miller says Pence’s office was notified Friday evening of the positive test result.

SEATTLE -- Staring Saturday, March 21, King County Metro will stop collecting fares from riders and start asking them to board buses through the rear door.Until further notice, riders will no be required to pay a fare to use King County Metro services, including buses, water taxi and Access paratransit.“As this crisis evolves, we are constantly reviewing all of our practices and policies to provide the best service while keeping people safe," said King County Executive Constantine. "Changing how riders board and exit our bus fleet and also suspending all fares is part of that effort.

Amid panic buying caused by mass shutdowns of non-essential businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, photos of signs at some Costco stores have begun circulating on social media that explain that returns on various high-demand items will not be accepted.

The coronavirus pandemic has left millions around the globe staying indoors to self-quarantine, of course leading to a major spike in at-home viewing on streaming services such as Netflix.Now, after European Commissioner Thierry Breton revealed that he's been in talks with Netflix CEO Reed Hastings about the importance of reducing high-definition streaming in order to save the Internet from crashing, the company has decided to "begin reducing bit rates across all our streams in Europe for 30 days."RELATED: CoronavirusNOW.com, FOX launches national hub for COVID-19 news and updatesIn a statement from Netflix on Thursday, and obtained by Fox News, a company spokesperson said: "Following the discussions between Commissioner Thierry Breton and Reed Hastings - and given the extraordinary challenges raised by the coronavirus - Netflix has decided to begin reducing bit rates across all our streams in Europe for 30 days.

In a Friday press briefing, President Donald Trump said that he does not believe a national lockdown would be necessary amid the coronavirus pandemic, praising the efforts undertaken by states such as New York and California.  

RENTON -- As the nation faces a critical shortage of masks and other protective gear to fight the spread of coronavirus, two local health care providers are asking for volunteers to step up and do their part to help.Providence Health in Renton is asking for volunteers with sewing machines to pick up pre-made kits that will produce 100 masks each.