Coronavirus

Doctors in the United States on Sunday called for the loss of sense of smell and taste to be added to the "list of screening tools" for Covid-19.The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery said symptoms of anosmia, or lack of sense of smell, and dysgeusia, or lack of taste, should be used to identify possible Covid-19 infections."Anosmia, in particular, has been seen in patients ultimately testing positive for the coronavirus with no other symptoms," reads to a statement on the academy's website.Those symptoms "warrant serious consideration for self-isolation and testing of these individuals," continues the statement.The academy made its announcement after ENT UK, a professional organization representing ear, nose and throat surgeons in the United Kingdom, said in a separate statement on its website on Saturday that anosmia could be another symptom of infection with the novel coronavirus.It has long been known in medical literature that a sudden loss of smell, or anosmia, may be associated with certain respiratory infections."Previously described coronaviruses are thought to account for 10-15% cases.

SEATTLE (AP) — A second patient at Washington state’s largest psychiatric hospital has tested positive for the new coronavirus.

One new COVID-19 death was reported Sunday in Washington state as the total number of cases approaches 2,000, according to the state Department of Health.Of the 95 deaths reported, 75 are in King County.

State-owned campgrounds across Washington state will be closed starting Monday and remain closed through April 30, the state announced Sunday.No new campers will be allowed into Parks, WDFW, or DNR lands beginning Monday, March 23.

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.